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Opal is a diamond. Nearly a century old, in an America struggling with its definition of freedom and the expression of it, Opal Lee made history real for a new generation. For decades, Lee campaigned to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. She promoted the idea by leading 2.5 mile walks each year, representing the 2.5 years it took for news of emancipation to reach Texas. In 2016, at age 89, she conducted a symbolic walk from Fort Worth, TX to Washington, D.C. to plead the case for a federal holiday directly to President Obama. Lee led marches in many states, garnering over 1.6 million signatures of support. In June 2021, at the age of 94, her efforts succeeded as a bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday was passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden. A Proclamation on Juneteenth Day of Observance 2022
She is a rare gem, indeed. Opal’s dedication inspired others. With the help of thousands of supporters across the country, Dr. Opal Lee was able to make this dream possible. Opal's Walk is now an annual event where thousands come together and walk, a celebration of freedom won, and the acknowledgement of freedom lost all over the world. We are shaped by her courage and the brilliant light of freedom she carries within.
The jewel of justice shines brightest when reflected in the lives of others.
Opal Lee is a jewel but not as rare as you might think. Every month, CTVA brings together people who are passionate about justice and healing. We learn about our shared history and discover ways we can transform the future. One person willing to take one step can help change the world. That person is you.
Join us on 3rd Tuesday as we celebrate and acknowledge our dedicated team of volunteers, another year of service and the work ahead. Donate or buy a book. Learn something new! Build new relationships for inspired action! It's your time to shine. See you at the table!
Bringing LOVE to the Fight for EQUALITY,
Danita
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3rd Tuesday Gathering
~ Dinner & Facilitated Conversation ~
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
for FREEDOM
...a Juneteenth Celebration
Tuesday, June 18th
5:30 - 8:30 PM ET
(note1/2 hour earlier than usual start to allow time for book sale)
Ginter Park Presbyterian Church
Fellowship Hall
3601 Seminary Avenue, Richmond, VA
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Join us for our 3rd Tuesday Gathering on June 18th, as we are Moving Forward Together for Freedom in celebration and commemoration of the Juneteenth holiday!
We decided not to have an outside speaker this time, to allow ample time for fellowship and conversations at our tables around how to take action in various contexts (home/family, workplace, faith community, school, social network for instance) in our lives and in various life arenas (education, housing, employment/wealth building, justice system, health/health care, housing, etc, etc.) where systemic racism and prejudice can be rooted out! How can we join together with others to take action to dismantle or create change in systems of oppression? How can we have courage and make a difference where we live, work, play and worship? Where have you planted your feet when it comes to walking your talk of antiracism?
We are ALSO looking forward to the following on June 18th:
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Acknowledging and celebrating our wonderful Volunteers!
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Fund and Friend Raising with our 2nd annual Summer Reading Book Sale! Come at 5:30 pm to start browsing the books on titles related to our mission and vision. (cash, check and credit/debit payment via our website donation link/Paypal) See separate box below for details.
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Celebrating our 5-year anniversary as a 501©(3) non-profit organization!
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Sharing a potluck meal of Juneteenth recipes and other delicious dishes! (See allrecipes.com for recipe suggestions.) We’ll provide baked chicken and a big salad, as well as a vegan entrée and a special Juneteenth dessert and you bring yourself and whatever nourishing side dish you wish.
A donation of $20 per person is appreciated to help cover our costs. No one will be turned away, so please come regardless of whether you can bring a dish or make a donation.
Click below to register and invite a friend or colleague to register!
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From allrecipes.com:
30 Recipes for Your Juneteenth Celebration, by Bettina J. Applewhite, MS, RDN, LDN, SNS
"On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation promised freedom to all enslaved people, the last of those in bondage were set free in Texas. Union soldiers came and spread the word, resulting in widespread celebrations. This day is now referred to as Juneteenth and is commemorated as the day slavery truly ended in the United States. Like Emma Lazarus said, "Until we are all free, we are none of us free." Juneteenth is celebrated with family gatherings, outdoor BBQs, and swapping stories of history. Juneteenth is traditionally celebrated with red foods, hot links, and red drinks. It's a mixture of traditional soul food and seasonal ingredients. Read on for a delicious selection of recipes that I've put together for your own Juneteenth celebrations."
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SUMMER READING BOOK SALE
Fund AND Friend Raiser!
~ A Special Feature of our 3rd Tuesday Dinner & Conversation Gathering for June ~
Coming Together Virginia Family, we appreciate your help in making this special event a BIG SUCCESS as a Fundraiser and as a Friend-Raiser!
WHAT YOU CAN DO
(In addition to registering when you receive the event invitation and bringing friends…)
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DONATE BOOKS for our Summer Reading Book Sale Fundraiser
Donate gently used books & DVDs: fiction, nonfiction, biographies, children’s books, poetry on topics related to our mission and vision to sell at our June 18th Gathering.
Help books off shelves and into the hands of readers - books that will educate & re-educate all of us on the experience of race in America.
- COLLECT BOOKS from your friends, colleagues and organizations.
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DROP OFF BOOKS at one of the following places:
a) Our Ginter Park Presbyterian Church CT-VA office (3601 Seminary Ave. RVA 23227) on Friday, June 14 (11:00 am to 3:00 pm). Text Hayat first to be sure she is
there to let you in. Cell phone: 804-467-9674. Or another day/time can be arranged by appointment.
b) Bonnie Dowdy's home (2902 Garrett St 23221 - right by the Carillon/Byrd Park and First Unitarian Universalist Church). Put books in a plastic bag & leave on front porch if
she is not there.
c) Bring books to June 18th meeting beginning at 5:15 pm, just before the Book Sale starts.
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Are you a frequent Kroger shopper? Do you have a Kroger Card or a Kroger Digital Account? If so, please consider linking your account to Coming Together Virginia for Kroger Community Rewards. Every time you shop in-person or online and use your Kroger Card or associated phone number Kroger will donate a percentage to Coming Together Virginia based on your purchase. There is NO charge to you and linking your account is super easy. Learn more about the Community Rewards Program and how to link your Kroger account by clicking the button. | |
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Movie Circle
(4th Monday)
Monday, June 24th
6:30 - 8:00 pm ET
Zoom
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In 2017, battle lines were drawn on America’s public lands as national monuments were shrunk, environmental protections were stripped, and millions of acres of land were opened to oil and gas development. Americans from both sides of the political spectrum have voiced their support in protecting these areas. This documentary follows three families who hold vastly different connections and perspectives on public lands as they fight for their futures.
This timely documentary casts an ambitious wide-screen, full-color gaze on public lands in America - our National Parks and Monuments, wildlife refuges, recreation, conservation, and wilderness areas - making manifest what a gift they are and, simultaneously, examining our deep conflicts over how best to use, manage, maintain, and protect them.
Twenty-five percent of the country is public land, held in trust by Federal and state governments but owned by us, the citizens. It’s abundantly clear that divisiveness is a losing game. As public land throughout the country makes the headlines of nearly every community newspaper and television station in the country, we are left to ask: how can public lands become the uniting factor in a divided America?
Robin Allman & Alistar Harris
Movie Circle Co-Conveners
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Reading For Change
BOOK CIRCLE
(4th Thursday of the month)
Thursday, June 27th
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm ET
Hybrid: In-Person & Zoom
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The significance of this book was that it told the story of what it was like to be a slave to the people up north who were new to America and didn’t know the horrors of slavery. Fredrick Douglass was born as Fredrick Augustus Washington Bailey in Maryland, near Easton in Talbot County. His birthday is unknown but he was born in the years of 1817 or 1818. He was born into being a field slave.
Douglass gives us an unvarnished account of life under slavery. He addresses not only the horrific physical abuses of slavery, but writes with poignancy about the moral and spiritual decay that slavery brings to slave holders. He demolishes one by one original excuses and apologies such as “the slaves were well-cared for because they were valuable property” or “the inferior negro race needed whites to guide them and save their heathen souls.”
This will be an IN-PERSON meeting held at a private home and the location will be provided upon registration. We will also broadcast the meeting on Zoom. You are welcome to participate whether you've completed reading of the book or not.
Doug Steele
RFC Book Circle Convener
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Education for Action Circle
& Potluck Dinner
(3rd Thursday of the month)
Thursday, June 20th
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm ET
In-Person
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Coming to the Table (CTTT)
Guided Meditation
Saturday, June 15th 4:00 - 5:00 pm ET
Zoom
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You are invited to participate in this month's conference call that focuses on meditation as a tool for healing wounds related to race. These calls are hosted by Coming to the Table's Mindfulness Working Group. Plan to join us for this guided meditation. The call will be facilitated by Angela Dickey. Deadline to RSVP is June 12. You’ll receive dial-in details prior to the call on June 15.
Click To Register
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EVENTS / ITEMS OF INTEREST | |
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A Look at the
70th Anniversary of
Brown v. Board of
Education
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May 17 marked the 70th anniversary of the decision to end racial segregation in public schools, but it took years, and more lawsuits to implement. Comking To The Table's own Betty Kilby Baldwin, at age 13, was the lead plaintiff in one such lawsuit in Virginia. Betty was recently interviewed for a powerful and moving segment on Good Morning America!
Click To View Segment
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Juneteenth Events
In The Region
June 2024
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Juneteenth is known to some in the United States as the country's “second Independence Day.” Observed each year on June 19, the holiday marks the end of slavery in Texas at the end of the Civil War. Click on the link to see a listing of events taking place in the region and be sure to put CTVA's 3rd Tuesday Dinner and Conversation on your calendar.
Click To View Events
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Jonathan Davis, Marketing and Communications Manager | | | | |
