Today we celebrate Juneteenth

Today we are celebrating Juneteenth, the day that enslaved people in Texas learned about the Emancipation Proclamation that President Lincoln had issued more than two years earlier. We do so at a dismal moment in our history, as our nation confronts the horror of police violence against Black people, amidst racial inequities and injustices brought to light by the pandemic.

In celebration of Juneteenth's message of liberation and out of respect for our Black friends and neighbors' anger, sorrow, fatigue, and courage, June 19th provides the opportunity for our whole community to share a day of reflection. We encourage you to pause from your regular work and reflect on both the ongoing history of systemic racial injustice and how it manifests in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our houses of worship and our families.

To those of us who are not subject to the daily oppression of racism, we need to engage with humanity and honesty, deeply and with humility. We must dedicate ourselves to this in a systematic manner and not only in reaction to a moment of national crisis. We live with ample proof that life chances are fundamentally different. They are to be seen. And yet too often those of us who are not burdened with racism choose not to see, or we choose to explain these disparities away instead of moving to correct them. Change starts with a personal transition and will end in systemic reform. This is the hard work before us, an endeavor to which we as a community should devote our full energy. Let’s start today, on this Juneteenth, working together to resolutely turn our attention toward the mission of anti-racism.   

**For those interested in participating in some local activities:

https://www.greensboro.com/blogs/gotriad_extra/juneteenth-celebration-events-held-virtually-this-year/article_73a40ba6-2fee-538e-b13e-def2204664b6.html

**Additional resources we hope you will find informative and insightful: 

Learn about Juneteenth

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/what-is-juneteenth/

**Read about How to Take a Stand Against Racism

Why White People Freak Out When They’re Called Out About Race

https://www.alternet.org/2015/03/why-white-people-freak-out-when-theyre-called-out-about-race/

Op-Ed: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Don’t understand the protests? What you’re seeing is people pushed to the edge 

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-05-30/dont-understand-the-protests-what-youre-seeing-is-people-pushed-to-the-edge

 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice

https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234

 7 things Black people want their well-meaning white friends to know (and view the 4 min video Your Black Friend) 

https://www.upworthy.com/7-things-black-people-want-white-people-to-know

10 common phrases that are actually racist AF. 

https://www.upworthy.com/10-common-phrases-that-are-actually-racist-af

George Floyd, Minneapolis Protests, Ahmaud Arbery & Amy Cooper | The Daily Social Distancing Show (18 min video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4amCfVbA_c

NCCJ: Check out Talking About Race, the new web portal of digital tools and resources from the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture. 

https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race

Friday Feature - Where Do We Go From Here?

“When the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro was founded 37 years ago, the founders’ vision was to create an organization for the community to rely on in times of need. An organization for individuals to be able to give back to their community, and an organization for leaders to be collaborative around critical community issues.  Never has that vision been more relevant than in today’s times.” - Walker Sanders, President of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro

In today’s times many are found asking themselves, “What now? Where do we go from here?”. While that question may be hard to answer and look different to everyone, we looked to our own board and leaders in Women to Women for answers. 

Speaking with Yulonda Latham, Vice President Latham Entertainment and W2W board member, is always insightful.  Not only is she kind and gentle, she provides a thoughtful and grounded perspective.  These qualities help to make her an effective leader and collaborator.  It is no wonder that she served as the co-chair of Women to Women last year and we thrived under her leadership; expanding our advisory council and gaining needed perspective.

Yulonda hopes to see a more diverse council of women representing W2W. Not just for the sake of being diverse but for the sake of gaining a more encompassing perspective on how to meet the needs of our community.  When asked “how do we accomplish this?”, Yulonda had 2 clear ideas that she shared.

“Physically meet people where they are.  Go learn more about organizations and communities outside of yours to gain perspective. Stand with people where they are.  Not from where you are.

Secondly, be the best you.  As others get to know you, you become a representative for all that you are involved in, including W2W.  We have an amazing organization that cares deeply about our neighbors and that in itself is a testament to W2W.”

If Yulonda is any example of the women that our organization attracts, we are headed in the right direction.  Though, still we have so much work to be done in building the diverse board perspective we need to best serve ourselves and our larger community.

As an organization who’s mission is to help women and families in our Greensboro community, that includes all families. Especially the Black community, who are still under the thumb of racism.  We have, and will continue to dedicate the time to listen, learn, and support our community and we are committed to amplifying Black voices. We aim to not only speak out against racism, but to be actively anti-racist.

Author: Carrie Little

Friday Feature - Money and Masks

Women to Women (W2W) attracts women that are passionate about their community and neighbors.  One of our newest members, Michelle Schneider is the VP and Chief Philanthropy Officer of Cone Health.  When Michelle accepted the position of Chief Philanthropy Officer just over a year ago, little did she know she would be counting masks as often as money.  

Many people are not aware that Cone Health is a nonprofit that relies on donations to operate. These donations have become more important and more varied during these uncommon times. “We are overwhelmed with gratitude by the contributions of goods and services from the community”, says Michelle. Cone has seen support in a variety of ways from food, medical supplies and masks to heartfelt letters of thanks and they are accepting each donation from the community with deep gratitude. “The love and encouragement we receive daily keeps us going and strengthens our resolve. We just can’t say it enough. Thank you!”  

COVID-19, is re-defining philanthropy. Now more than ever, we need to be responsive to the rapidly changing health care needs.   As the situation evolves, so do the needs, some that are easily identified and others that we cannot predict. Donated funds to Cone Health will help increase access to personal protective equipment for staff, provide technology so that patients can stay connected with loved ones and provide meals to patients sheltering in place. Money will also be used to meet future needs such as housing staff who may have been infected by coronavirus or who wish to self-isolate to protect their families.

Please watch this amazing video Michelle shared on how our community is supporting Cone Health during this pandemic.

https://youtu.be/_Ztm2SvPDoU

If you would like to make a donation or learn more please visit the Cone Health COVID-19 Support Fund.

Author: Carrie Little

Friday Feature - Women To Women Supporting Their Neighbors

In the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic we see much of our community “shut down.” This creates more work for some and less work for others. There is too much to be sad about. I don’t need to list those here, for we are painfully aware of what our neighbors may be experiencing.  

Yet, it is comforting to see organizations may shut down, but people don’t. People keep at it, especially in a strong resilient community like Greensboro/Guilford County. We are holding food drives, providing meals to those in need, changing the way we educate our students, distributing laptops to students, sending more flowers, providing safety for our employees, sewing masks, assembling face shields, sharing toilet paper and wipes with our neighbors,  providing childcare to essential workers, dancing on TikTok for laughs, putting up yard signs, organizing efforts for graduates, … the list goes on.  

Women to Women is keeping at it. They are giving early and generously to their community.  Women to Women voted unanimously to donate $75,000.00 to Greensboro’s Virus Relief Fund. This relief fund is providing grants to Greensboro nonprofits that are directly supporting our neighbors most impacted during this crisis. To date GVRF has received a total of $1,345,138 that has been distributed to 58 local nonprofits helping thousands of individuals and families.  

We, as a county and city, will keep working to serve our neighbors.  The people in Greensboro/Guilford County are generous and have built a strong nonprofit network to care for our residents.  If you or your organization would like to donate to the Greensboro Virus Relief Fund go to: Greensboro’s Virus Relief Fund.  Take care and stay safe.