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Month: February 2024

Ohio NAACP Hosts Lobby Day at the Ohio Statehouse

Posted on

For Immediate Release

Feb. 28, 2024

The nation’s leading civil rights organization unveiled 2024 legislative priorities

COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Conference of the NAACP hosted a Legislative Advocacy Day on Wednesday, Feb. 28. The one-day event was held at the Ohio Statehouse and included members of the Ohio State Conference of the NAACP as well as other local voting rights advocates. The group of roughly 50 Ohio NAACP members then participated in a photo unveiling of former Ohio Senate Minority Leader Rhine McLin, who also served as mayor of Dayton.

“Today was a great day for the Ohio Conference of the NAACP,” said Tom Roberts, president of the Ohio State Conference of the NAACP. “We met with several legislators and their staff and shared our policy priorities. We also discussed the importance of increasing Black civic participation and engagement ahead of the 2024 election cycle.” 

Top policy priorities discussed during state legislative meetings included:

  • Voting Rights
  • Economic Development
  • Police Accountability

“It was important for our members to see and engage legislative leaders. It was a delight to see

and celebrate the honorable Rhine McLin, who has given so much to our state and our fight for democracy,” Roberts continued.

About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

 

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Race Forward and Americans for the Arts Announce ‘Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy’

Posted on

For Immediate Release

Feb. 20, 2024

NEW YORK – Race Forward and Americans for the Arts (AFTA) today announced a Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy which will be held Sept. 27 – Oct. 5, 2024 in communities across the country. The new initiative leverages arts, culture, and creativity to emphasize the need for a just, multiracial democracy.

“As attacks on racial equity and democracy continue to grow locally and globally, now is the time for bold action that inspires new ways of thinking,” said Glenn Harris, president, Race Forward. “This is an opportunity to deepen commitments to racial justice and inclusive democracy through cultural activities.”

The Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy will comprise:

  • A week of events and activities that bring together local arts and culture institutions and community-based organizations to explore our history, how it shapes our present, and how everyday people are organizing to build an equitable and racially just future.
  • A national event in St. Louis with performers, leaders, and artists to explore ways to use arts and culture to advance the multiracial democracy we’re trying to build. The event will also amplify the local work happening in communities across the country throughout the week of action.
  • Seeding and popularizing national narratives that tie together the local activities into one comprehensive story about who we want to be as a country and how we get there.
  • Opportunities for local and national organizing and actions.

Race Forward and AFTA will accept proposals from local organizations—local government, local arts agencies, community-based arts organizations, and/or racial justice nonprofits—that want to participate in this exciting initiative. Through a competitive process, 12-15 local communities that represent the diversity of our country will receive $25,000-$40,000 for cultural organizers and community partners to design and implement projects. Participation in the Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy will also be encouraged and open to organizations not requesting funding. 

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Florida Legislature Attempts to Mandate the Teaching of Communism in K-12 Schools

Posted on

For Immediate Release

Feb. 16, 2024

 

ORLANDO – When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis forbade advanced placement courses in African American Studies, Rev. Rhonda Thomas of Faith in Florida created toolkit and encouraged congregations to teach Black history themselves. More than 500 congregations signed up to teach using her toolkit. Now, she is responding to another challenge. The Florida legislature is considering bills which will mandate all Florida public schools (K-12) to teach about the history of communism, including communist policies in Cuba and Latin America. The measures under consideration are SB 1264 and HB 1349.

“The mandate is an attempt to cast anything that doesn’t fall within the governor’s worldview as communist. It is an effort to indoctrinate Florida’s youngest minds,” Thomas said. “It is also a missed opportunity to teach Black history.”

Rev. Thomas and partners will host a convening Feb. 29 through March 2 to plan their response and prepare for the upcoming legislative session. For more information, or to speak with Rev. Rhonda, please contact press@spotlightpr.org or llyons@faithinflorida.org.

“The state’s priorities are off track and out of alignment with Florida and the rest of the nation,” Thomas concluded.

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United Women in Faith to Release Short Film, “Never Give Up: Cynthia and Michelle’s Faithful Fight Against Mass Incarceration”

Posted on

For Immediate Release

February 16, 2024

United Women in Faith Will Host Screening and Media Call on the Impact of the Carceral System on Women

ATLANTA – United Women in Faith, the largest denominational organization for women end Black History Month and kick off Women’s History Month with a short film on the carceral system’s impact on women. “Never Give Up: Cynthia and Michelle’s Faithful Fight Against Mass Incarceration,” highlights the harrowing impact of America’s carceral system on Black women. The film was shot, produced and directed by Ania Freer, an award-winning Australian-Jamaican filmmaker and founder of Goat Curry Gallery. 

“Never Give Up” centers the story of Michelle Morrison, an Atlanta-based Black woman victimized by the carceral system. It weaves together her story of incarceration, the atrocities of the carceral system for women of color, and how the support of her mother, Cynthia Morrison Holland, a leader in United Women in Faith, helped her overcome the odds.

The story begins with the 2007 arrest of Michelle on felony counts of murder due to driving a friend who was involved in an altercation that resulted in homicide via gun violence. Despite not participating in the violence, Morrison was charged on 12 counts of felony murder and received a life sentence, requiring a minimum of 30 years in prison. This over-sentencing aligns with the disparities inflicted on Black women who are incarcerated at 1.6x the rate of white women, and account for one-third of the female prisoners serving life sentences.

This film shares the intimate journey of one faith-filled mother who overcomes incredible odds to win her daughter’s freedom. In doing so, Never Giving Up: Cynthia and Michelle, A Mother, A Daughter and the Faithful Fight Against Mass Incarceration invites the whole church, and especially Christian women, to join this mother-daughter duo in the ongoing work of ending mass incarceration.

The film also touches on the abuses women face in the prison system and the terrible conditions. “That place is terrible. If you don’t have a strong support system, or strong belief system, or a strong foundation in God you will rot away” explains Michelle.

But, at the end, this is a story of persistent and faithful action in the face of overwhelming injustice as lived by one mother who was committed to “never giving up” on her daughter. Despite the sentencing, Cynthia never forgot or abandoned her daughter. She supported her through her thirteen excruciating years of incarceration and ultimately secured her release by getting her daughter’s sentence reviewed and modified by a state-level integrity task force. Michelle continued her education, even throughout her incarceration, obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Life University. Michelle believes that “having a mom that stood beside me, came to see me every weekend, and never gave up meant more to more to me than anything.”

United Women in Faith is a faith-based organization that aims to help connect and nurture women through Christian spiritual formation, leadership, development, creative fellowship and education to inspire their local and global communities.

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