Join us for our annual FAMILY REUNION on Zoom 9/21/21!
~~ September 2021 Newsletter~~
A MESSAGE FROM OUR Co-CEOs
~ Reunion: Your Place At The Table ~
This month, Coming To the Table - RVA observes its annual Family Reunion Gathering. We started this tradition a few years ago, seeking to give our staff and volunteers space to experience Summer fun, romps at “The Rivah” and quiet time under the sun. In September, we reunite with stories of our adventures, trips abroad, gardens we tended, the big fish that got away and long walks with friends. Miraculously, as we welcomed each other back at the table, we realized we had only swapped one family for another.
Reunited, we sit at the table. With napkins in our laps and forks at the ready, we are fed a nice healthy helping of our favorite something, and over that plate of heartwarming food, we share more than the wafting aromas - stories are passed along the table, news and current events, ideas, hopes and dreams and wisdom from one generation to the next. Miraculously, almost without noticing, we are all being fed more than we see on the menu. The stories shared at the table serve up afamilyfeast.
Now let’s talk about the food. The full-bodied richness of radical racial healing we experience at OUR table is like a delicious meal -- the food for thought gives us energy for the work we do. Each course of history we explore together nourishes us for the road ahead. As we break bread, we break chains of oppression and hate, and as we raise up our cups, we raise the consciousness of a nation. Together. Reunited.
This month we also celebrate art and culture, our creative side, and recognize the role we play in the creation of the Beloved Community. Artists are at work, evidenced by the pedestals on Monument Avenue and the murals in Jackson Ward. When we are at the table, can we envision our blended family as an artist’s palette, the full spectrum of flesh tones waiting to be dipped and dappled to share customs, beliefs, social forms, and the material traits of race, religion and ethnicity? Take a good look across the table. Can we marvel at the diverse textures of hair and skin, the flare of our noses, the gait in our walk and the different sizes of our lips as we smile at one another? Can we see each other in our intentional beauty? We are ART - the characteristic features of everyday existence. We are also the architects, designers, the Pablo Picasso's and the Jean-Michel Basquiat's of our time. This time, let’s design a colorful tapestry we can all live and see ourselves in, woven together on a loom of goodwill and true democracy.
Happy Reunion Month, Family! See you at the table!
In the video above (we encourage you to listen first), our fabulous Coming To The Table - RVA Co-CEO, Danita Rountree Green, explains a family tradition that her African American family follows. When gathering for a family reunion, family members experiencing life transitions or financial challenges and are supported by their extended family in more ways than one. Money is collected to help with a move or a baby on the way, a wedding, or perhaps for college expenses or to provide temporary support after a job loss. That monetary support is "the proof". Everyone feels loved and supported in a grounded way.
We invite our CTTT-RVA family members and friends will likewise help us celebrate our Family Reunion this month by making a generous donation to our growing organization as we birth new programs, create new partnerships, and expand our educational opportunities for our Frontline Facilitators and African American Ambassadors! We are doing inspiring and powerful work in a community in transition.....moving toward racial healing and justice!
Here's how you can provide "the proof"! Go to our website to make your donation. By giving through the Birdies For Charity link you'll find there, they will increase your donation by 10%! And CTTT-RVA will receiveall of it! No fees are deducted.
Each time you donate by using the Birdies For Charity link between now and October 24th, your name will be entered into a drawing for two grounds tickets for one day, to the Dominion Energy Charity Classic, to be held at the Country Club of Virginia on Oct 22, 23 and 24. This event features the top 72 golfers of the PGA TOUR Champions and the first of three playoff events to determine the Charles Schwab Cup champion.
Your donation goes directly to CTTT-RVA and makes a difference in our community!
THANK YOUfor being a part of our family, and for helping to RAISE THE ROOF!
We look forward to seeing you on Zoom for our annual FAMILY REUNION on September 21st, where we will enjoy each others' company, sharing a family feast of racial healing together, learning about how we can uncover and honor our family's traditions and create some new ones!
By creating a COUNTER-NARRATIVE that examines our family's past and transforms its future, we can pay it forward in ways that benefit everyone.
We invite you to reflect on:
--How may your family of origin have benefited (or not) from privilege of various kinds?
--Who in your family achieved the greatest success, obtained the greatest wealth or caused the most harm? By what means?
--What careers, educational opportunities, talents, trades or special knowledge can you transfer to someone of another race or background?
--How can you make that transfer, and how and when? (ex. lawyers in the family/create an endowment at local law school for AA students) Start a college scholarship? Mentoring or tutoring youth? Volunteering with a skillbuilding program for adults?
Our acts today align with a new narrative of . . . .racial healing . . ..social equity . . . .justice . . . .reparations . . .doing the right thing . . . . .the new improved direction of my family . . .
Together, with each other's support, let's "BE the change we want to see in the world!"
Please register early to reserve your spot as spaces are limited.
We look forward to being with you!
Reading For Change
Book Circle
(4th Thursday of the month)
Thursday, September 23rd
via ZOOM
6:30 - 8:30 pm ET
For September we will discuss The Brownsville Texas Incident of 1906: The True and Tragic Story of a Black Battalion's Wrongful Disgrace and Ultimate Redemption, by William Baker.
As presented on the Goodreads.com website:
"Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) William Baker’s The Brownsville Texas Incident of 1906 is a thought provoking and educational work about the injustice done to 167 black soldiers in 1906, and one man’s fight to bring them some modicum of justice.
In 1906, a battalion of the 25th infantry regiment, an all Black unit (except for the officers), was posted to Fort Brown, in Brownsville, Texas. The unit had a proud history, and had seen combat and fought heroically in the Philippines and in Cuba, but Texas wanted no part of them. The men were subjected to discrimination almost immediately. Then, on a dark night, several raiders shot up the town and everyone swore the black soldiers committed the act.
This is a great story of moral courage and eventual justice. Those interested in the history of race relations in the military and social justice in general will find this story compelling."
Contactthe Reading For Change Book Circle co-conveners to be added to their mailing list.
Reading For Change Book Circle members met on Zoom (above) on August 26, 2021 to discuss Stacey Abrams' book, How to Lead From the Outside and Make Real Change. There were 9 CTTT-RVA members in attendance. The brilliant, suave and debonair Doug Steele facilitated the discussion.
MOVIE CIRCLE
(4th Monday of the month)
Monday, September 27th
via Zoom
6:30 - 8:00 pm ET
This month we will discuss the film Black or White (2014). Almost nothing will be as you expect in this movie abouta grandfather continuing to raise his biracial granddaughter after his wife suddenly dies. It is available on Netflix and Vudu. Watch on your own, and then join us for the discussion on Monday September 27 from 6:30-8 PM ET on ZOOM.
If you would like to participate and want to receive the latest information about our Movie Circle events, please be sure to click the button below to join our mailing list. The opportunity to register will be available in the coming week and by joining the mailing list you'll be sent an invitation to register. You'll also be able to find that on our website very soon. We look forward to seeing you on Zoom!
Join Racism At Work (RAW) to hear Virginia Commonwealth University Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, Genevieve Siegel-Hawley, PhD share her thoughts and research interests on a topic that is very relevant today. She asks the question, "What could we accomplish if we were more intentional about integration?"
Education System– by Kathy Mendes & Chris Duncombe (Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal
Analysis – November 2020)
What Is RAW?
Racism At Work (RAW) Truth Sessions allow participants the opportunity to explore how the social constructs of race and racism have been intentionally and systematically woven into the very fabric of American society in general, and Richmond in particular.
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***The RAW Working Group welcomes anyone interested in volunteering to proofread summaries or review documents prior to their posting to the RAW Library to email our Team.
REPARATIONS SUNDAY AT RICHMOND HILL
Left to right: Rev. Mel Dowdy, Rev. Amy Redwine, and Rev. Robin Mines
Richmond Hillpartnered with Coming To The Table - RVA for Reparations Sunday on August 22, 2021. Interfaith leaders and members of faith and ethically oriented groups are more and more being called to explore how we in metropolitan Richmond can create a culture of repair and adopt reparative acts as a spiritual practice to help our nation heal.
On Reparations Sunday we heard from faith leaders - Rev. Mel Dowdy of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Rev. Amy Redwine of First Presbyterian Church of Richmond, Rev. Robin Mines of Taylor's Chapel AME Zion Church. Rev. Dr. Cora Armstrong was the guest Psalmist.
Our CTTT-RVA Co-CEO of Programs, Danita Rountree Green, moderated the Reparations Sunday event, and Pam Smith of Richmond Hill was the host for the event.
Throughout 2021, the Education For Action Book Circle is taking a deep dive into:
Black Reconstruction in America, 1860 - 1880
by W.E.B. Du Bois
For our October circle, we will be discussing Chapter 15 of the text, Founding the Public School.
Du Bois’ game-changing reading of the vital role of the enslaved liberating themselves and taking up arms in the ending of the Civil War should be required reading, especially for anyone living in the South. Join us as we continue to mine Du Bois’ analysis of the first reconstruction period for indispensable insight about how we understand and act in this Third Reconstruction moment. Contact Darren for more information.
We are so excited that Robin Allman has agreed to join our cadre of volunteers, as Co-Convener (with our beloved Barbara Brown) of our CTTT-RVA Movie Circle!!! Thank you, Robin!
Robin came to Richmond over 30 years ago, having previously lived in New York, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia. She has been involved with Coming To The Table - RVA for several years, both in person and online. She is a long-time aficionado of films, both foreign and domestic, and looks forward to lively discussions. Our Movie Circle Co-Conveners welcome hearing about any films you would like to recommend for consideration. You may email Robin here.
Leadership Metro Richmond Selects Two CTTT-RVA Volunteers for Quest Program
Coming to the Table - RVA is happy to announce that two of its very active volunteers will be part of the Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR) Quest Class of 2022 - Meldon Jenkins-Jones and Leslie Crabbs.
Meldon, currently a Senior Librarian with the Richmond Public Library (RPL), has been the Law Librarian with the Richmond Public Law Library since February, 2013. She recruited the other Librarians of Color at RPL to co-create the Black Male Emergent Readers literacy program (BMER), now part of RPL’s Get Lit literacy initiatives that motivate children and teens to read. Meldon has been a supporter of CTTT-RVA since they met at Martha’s home, is a facilitator, and was a co-convener of the Movie Circle earlier this year. Meldon is active in the activities of Remnant Church and spends much of her time loving on her family of two children, their spouses, and 4 grandchildren, including the youngest, who is just 1 year old. Her hobby is writing, and she writes stories for children and adults. At present, Meldon is working on a blog entitled Everyday Miracles.
Leslie is a transplant to the Richmond area after 30 years moving around the country with her Coast Guard husband Tom. A very active volunteer over the years in her many communities, Leslie’s experiences include developing and implementing a wide range of fundraising events to the creation of an award winning marine science K-8 charter school in the Florida Keys. Her last job as an Event Planner for major trade shows and conferences has been put on hold due to the pandemic, and she is now enjoying working part-time, assisting Coming to the Table – RVA with fundraising and donor development. Leslie enjoys hiking, biking and meeting new people. She has two grown children who unfortunately live 1,000 miles away in opposite directions – the challenges of raising your children in a military household!
Each year, LMR accepts a diverse group of community leaders into this flagship program. Through the ten-month program, they will have formal community leadership training, access to high-impact decision-makers, and networking opportunities to develop the necessary framework to make a positive and lasting impact in the greater Richmond Region. The purpose is for participants to begin the shift from community members to leaders who are focused on creating sustainable change across the region. And isn't that what we are all about at Coming to the Table? Congratulations Meldon & Leslie!
Truth & Reconciliation ~ Remembering our Ancestors
DECEMBER
Giving Back ~ Reparations
CTTT - RVA Facilitators Circle Training Meeting
2nd Thursdays:
Sept 9th
October 14th
November 11th
6:30 - 8:30 pm ET
Our facilitators are the "frontline" in the work of racial healing. We value them as not only the first face of our team but also the trusted guardians of our courageous yet often uncomfortable and clumsy conversations.
The facilitator sets the agenda, reminds participants of the ground rules (Coming To The Table Touchstones), initiates the discussion, facilitates circle process, and allows the session to flow - modeling deep listening and fostering a safe and brave space - stepping in only when needed.
In virtual breakout rooms and at the table, facilitators represent the mission, vision and approach of CTTT. As a facilitator, you enable participants to share stories, learn new insights, and move through personal pain. Facilitators stand in the gap for change.
Contact Bonnie if you are new to our Facilitators Circle and would like to learn more or participate in our monthly meetings.
So many times the question is asked “What can I do? The problem seems so large. Can what I do really make a difference?” Each act of individual repair is incredibly important because it proves that repair and reconciliation can happen. If you would like to join the Reparations Circleand learn more about opportunities with which you can help, click below.
Mentors play a critical role in helping young people discover their potential. These volunteers not only help kids overcome structural barriers to achieving personal and economic success but, they also help provide affirmation that their lives matter and that they are important and loved.
Our family is a circle of strength; founded on faith, joined in love, kept by God, together forever.”
-Author Unknown
Richmond
Self-Guided History Tours by the Valentine Museum
Arthur Ashe Tunnel Mural
in Battery Park
Explore Richmond history with our self-guided Richmond History Tours. Each tour can be done at your own pace and includes route details, directions and the history of the specific sites along the way. Click below to find out more information.
Health disparities left Black Americans vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 and dying from it at higher rates. It is important now, more than ever, to take all precautions to protect yourself and your community.
The Slave Dwelling Project has acknowledged our shared and urgent responsibility to contribute to the historical narrative and address the issues at the heart of the present-day social justice movement. Therefore, our sixth national Slave Dwelling Project Conference—to be held virtually September 30 through October 2, 2021—will focus on this question: What are we doing now and what will we continue to do to change the narrative in changing times?
Mending Walls is a public art project that brings together public artists from different cultures and backgrounds to create murals that address where we are now in society and how we can move forward through understanding and collaboration. Mending Walls pairs up artists of different backgrounds to create unique connections and give them an opportunity to tell their story collaboratively in an effort to express healing through connection.
The Richmond Black Restaurant Experience is bringing new life to the concession stand at Fountain Lake in Byrd Park.
Each week — starting this week and ending in early October — a different Black-owned food truck operator, caterer or restaurateur will operate out of the concession stand .
JXN Project Reveals There Is Much More Behind A Name
The JXN Project is working to honestly and accurately capture the pivotal role of Richmond, Virginia in the evolution of the Black American experience. The research that undergirds this project has uncovered primary artifacts that revealed that the stain of the Confederacy – a stain that has even tainted the history of something as seemingly simple as a name –extends far beyond the monuments and can be traced to the gerrymandered origins of the city's northern neck, better known as Jackson Ward.
The JXN Project will culminate its celebration of the 150th anniversary of Jackson Ward with Unveiling The Vanguard: A Virtual Experience as part of the Second Street Festival.
Beginning on October 2, community members are invited to experience the unveiling.
Coming To The Table (National) invites you to become a member. There is no fee, and donations are certainly needed and welcome! There are now 50+ local affiliate groups in 18 states plus the Virgin Islands!
