News from Fairfax County NAACP

June 2024

In this Issue:

President's Message
Organizing Accelerator | June 12
Juneteenth Celebration | June 15
Black Homeownership Collaborative | June 18
Special General Membership Meeting | June 25
Save the Date - Boys to Men Symposium
Save the Date - 2024 Freedom Fund Gala
Member Spotlight
Maintain Your Membership

A Message From Our President

Happy Juneteenth, everyone!

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing enslaved Africans. However, during this time, the Civil War was still in full force, and hundreds of thousands of people remained enslaved. The proclamation did not apply to border states still in the Union, nor did states in the then-Confederacy follow the decree. Although the Civil War ended in April 1865, freedom was not immediately granted to all enslaved people, including thousands in Texas.

On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with over 1,800 federal troops to read General Order #3, announcing the freeing of slaves. As African Americans in Galveston heard the order, they began to sing, dance, pray, and celebrate. This was a powerful and profound moment for them, bringing to life the hope of freedom that many believed would never come and for which many had died. Since this day, African Americans have kept the flame of freedom alive in celebration and activism on what is now known as Juneteenth.

As many of us enjoy a day off in celebration of freedom with our family and friends this Juneteenth, let us also remember and honor those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. Finally, let us remember that progress takes time, perseverance, and collective effort from friends, allies, and our community. We must remain committed for the long run and remember that change doesn’t happen overnight; it is ongoing. As we celebrate Juneteenth, let it be a reminder that the journey towards justice and equity is ongoing.

Together, we can forge a better future for ourselves and generations to come.

Disclaimer: The historical information provided is based on widely accepted sources and is intended for educational purposes. For a deeper understanding, consult primary sources and detailed historical texts, such as those available from the National Archives. The history of Juneteenth cited in this letter is based on publicly available references from reputable sources.

In the spirit of Juneteenth, we invite you to join us for our 3rd Annual Juneteenth Commemoration, to be held this Saturday, June 15th, where we will honor the largest emancipation before the Civil War. You can find more information below. Additionally, don’t miss our upcoming General Membership meeting on June 25th, where we are excited to host the authors of the book “Black Communities in Fairfax.” This insightful discussion will explore the rich history and contributions of Black communities in our area. We invite you to donate to the Fairfax County NAACP, helping us continue our crucial work in advocating for civil rights and social justice in our community. Thank you for standing with us in the fight for equality and justice!

Together In Service,

Niki Zimmerman

Proud President, Fairfax County NAACP

Organizing Accelerator

Dear NAACP Member,

We are delighted to announce that the NAACP is joining forces with The Groundwork Project to launch The Organizing Accelerator — a transformative initiative. This year-long program offers training, mentoring, and networking opportunities to social justice advocates, civil rights activists, and community organizers from historically marginalized and under-resourced communities.

The Organizing Accelerator is designed to blend the renowned civil rights efforts of the NAACP with Groundwork Project's distinctive approach to bolstering grassroots activism in historically excluded communities nationwide. Through this effort, we’re committed to identifying, supporting, and empowering organizers who may lack access to conventional training programs, mentorship, national networks, and access to capital.

While there are numerous fellowships available for emerging civic leaders, The Organizing Accelerator stands apart by focusing on:

Places where civic infrastructure, contemporary civil rights movements, and pro-democracy endeavors are woefully underfunded.

Emerging social justice advocates, civil rights activists, and community organizers who possess a robust grassroots network within their communities but have yet to receive advanced training and engage with national networks.

A curriculum deeply rooted in the experiences of organizing in locations with movement histories, where today's movements for racial equity, social justice, and democracy preservation face their most formidable challenges.

Our commitment is unwavering. We aim to create a program, curriculum, and overall experience that are authentically created by organizers, for organizers. Below are some preliminary details:

The program will span 3 months, commencing in June and concluding in September. It will encompass two in-person weekends in Boston, MA, and Jackson, MS. In addition, Fellows will engage in virtual skills training, workshops, and networking opportunities. All fellows will receive a stipend for the program's duration, and all expenses related to travel and participation during the in-person weekends will be fully covered.

Fellows will have access to fundamental and advanced organizing skills training, guidance from a senior mentor to serve as a sounding board and guide, and the chance to apply for a mini-grant upon completing The Organizing Accelerator, in support of their ongoing and future community organizing projects.

Applications for the 2024 program open on Thursday, May 23, and will be reviewed continuously. We request all submissions be completed by Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST. For those interested in applying, please visit theorganizingaccelerator.org or check out the 2023 pilot year recap for comprehensive information about the application process and an in-depth overview of the program.

The Organizing Accelerator will operate as a 501c3 project, overseen jointly by the NAACP and Groundwork Project's fiscally-sponsored 501c3 fund.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to receiving your application soon.

For Culture, For Community.

Derrick Johnson

@DerrickNAACP

President and CEO

NAACP

Apply Below!

Apply Here!

Juneteenth Celebration!

Join us for this Saturday, June 15th, for the Third Annual Bull Run Juneteenth Commemoration, sponsored by Fairfax County NAACP and NOVA Parks!

Date: Saturday, June 15

Time: 3 P.M.

Location: Bull Run Regional Park, Atlantis Waterpark

7700 Bull Run Dr

Centreville, VA 20121

This event is a special tribute to the largest emancipation before the Civil War, honoring the lives of the enslaved and their descendants. Come and experience:

Reflections on Emancipation: Dive deep into the significance of this historic moment.
Words of Remembrance and Hope: Join Bishop Brett Fuller as he inspires us with uplifting words of hope that have carried generations through adversity and triumph.
Music to Inspire: Enjoy the powerful rhythms and melodies that echo the spirit of freedom, strength, and unity.
Stories of Freedom for Kids: Ignite curiosity and courage in the next generation and empower them to shape a better future.

And don't miss out on the sweet finale! Stick around for the Ice Cream Social sponsored by Dominion Energy.

Let's come together to reflect, celebrate, and honor this significant moment in history. We hope to see you there!

RSVP Below!

RSVP Here

Black Homeownership Collaborative

Join the Black Homeownership Collaborative, Tuesday, July 18, for their 3rd Anniversary event. Launched on the first federal Juneteenth holiday in Cleveland, OH, the BHC convenes housing groups, community leaders, and elected officials in combatting the impacts of harmful housing policies on the Black community. This event will highlight intentional strategies and solutions to address pressing issues around the racial wealth and homeownership gap.

*This is not a Fairfax County NAACP event.

General Membership Meeting

Join Us for a Special Event: Celebrating the Black Communities of Fairfax

We are thrilled to invite you to our General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, June 25th, for an evening with special guests Etta Willson, Rita Colbert, Linneall Naylor, Rondia Prescott, and Jenee Lindner. These remarkable authors have come together to write Black Communities of Fairfax: A History, a profound tribute to the ancestors and their once segregated neighborhoods in Fairfax City and Fairfax County, Virginia.

This book is more than a historical account; it is a celebration of the lives and legacies of the ordinary men and women who shaped our community. From the preservation of local African American cemeteries to the construction of the Little River Turnpike, the narratives within this book are a testament to the resilience and contributions of Black communities in Fairfax.

During the meeting, our guest authors will share insights into the pivotal moments captured in their book, including:

The preservation efforts for local African American cemeteries
The construction and significance of the Little River Turnpike
The history of the Rosenwald School
The groundbreaking 1935 Fairfax County trial featuring African American jurors
The fight against segregation through churches, the NAACP, and other local minority organizations

We are proud to announce that these dedicated authors have been chosen as Fairfax City Black History Month Awardees for 2024, in recognition of their invaluable contributions to preserving and celebrating our rich history.

Join us in honoring the lives and achievements of those who came before us and learn about the enduring impact they have had on Fairfax City and Fairfax County. This is an event you won’t want to miss!

Save the Date!

Join Us for the Boys to Men Symposium!

We’re excited to announce the Boys to Men Symposium, a special event dedicated to helping boys navigate the journey to adulthood. If you know a young man aged 12-18, this is an opportunity you don’t want him to miss!

Date: September 28, 2024

Location: Gum Springs Community Center

8100 Fordson Rd

Alexandria, VA 22306

Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Topics:

Mental Health and Emotional Intelligence
Substance Abuse
Fatherhood and Fatherlessness
Emotional Relations and Responsibilities

What’s Included:

Breakfast, lunch, and snacks
A Game Truck for entertainment

This symposium is designed to provide valuable insights and support, helping boys develop into responsible, emotionally intelligent men. Let’s come together to nurture and guide our future leaders!

Parents/Guardians: Please click the button below to register and fill out the consent form for your child’s participation.

Save the Date!

It's that time of the year again! Save the date and mark your calendars for November 2, 2024 for our much-anticipated Fairfax County NAACP Freedom Fund Gala. It's just around the corner, and we need YOUR help to make it a success!

Our fundraising efforts are crucial in supporting the amazing work done by the Fairfax County NAACP throughout the year. With your expertise and dedication, we're confident we can exceed our goals and make a real impact in our Fairfax County community!

For more details about this event and how you can help, follow this link.

Our first planning meeting kicks off on May 19th at 7:00 pm. But, don't wait until then to get involved! Reach out to our Freedom Fund Committee Chair, Evelyn Spain, on how you can play a role in making this gala a success.

She can be reached at Evelynss328@yahoo.com or Freedomfund@naacp.org.

More Info!

Member Spotlight

Welcome to our newest feature, the Member Spotlight! Each month, we’ll be shining a light on one of our amazing members who embodies the spirit of our community.

Mike (M.J.) O’Brien, Author and Activist

Mike is a writer of civil rights chronicles and a Silver Life member of the Fairfax County NAACP.

For 30+ years he worked as a communications and public relations director for a not-for-profit financial institution supporting the rural electric cooperative sector. In retirement his book We Shall Not Be Moved was published by the University Press of Mississippi (2013) at which time he launched his blog (notbemoved.com) and found time to become active in local issues through joining the Fairfax County NAACP. Mike served as Communications Chair (2015-2016) and as branch Secretary (2016-2018) He authored the 10-page essay—and compiled the 4 pages of media links—that led to the branch’s successful bid for the NAACP’s Thalheimer Award in 2018. During his 4-year hiatus from active branch participation, Mike wrote his second book, Minds Stayed on Freedom, currently under review for publication by UPM. Mike is also an emeritus board member of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, Teaching for Change, and the DC Foster & Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center.

Maintain Your Membership

A friendly reminder to those who pay annual membership dues to belong to the NAACP:

We rely on those dues payments to help us meet our financial obligations, both at the local, state, and national level. Your contributions and engagement are important to us. Please take a moment to check your membership card and see if it’s time to make your dues contribution.

Payment is simple. The following link will bring you to our Fairf ax County NAACP web site, where you can update your membership information and then pay via PayPal. Please also consider making a donation when you remit your dues payment.

We very much appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to engaging with you.

For questions about your membership dues, please contact our Branch Secretary Mike O'Brien at secretary@fairfaxnaacp.org .