February 2, 2024

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Celebrating Black History Month

February is Black History Month, as you probably know. In previous years, we’ve included a lot of Black historical information in this newsletter. This year I’d like to take a slightly different approach. While I certainly don’t want to lose focus on Black History, I think it’s also time to talk about how that history has shaped the present and try to look to the future. So…


I’m calling February “Black Culture Month.” I want to look at the Black experience through the eyes of writers, artists, politicians and other leaders. Today, I’ll suggest a few highly-acclaimed books by noted Black authors.


The Street by Ann Petrie, published in 1946, was the first novel by an African American woman that sold over 1 million copies. It looks at the impact of racial injustice in a fictional work of social commentary. For middle-school age readers, consider Petrie’s New York Times Outstanding Book Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad.


That Bird Has My Wings by Jarvis Jay Masters is the story that Oprah's review included “The story of a young boy victimized by addiction, poverty, violence, the foster care system, and later the justice system, profoundly touched me then, and still does today.”


Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman, a collection of poems by the inaugural Presidential Poet who has been called our voice for the future.


Finding Me by Viola Davis, a memoir by this award-winning performer who details her story from a sharecropper’s shack to her triumph as an actor, producer and philanthropist.


The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, a remarkable novel about J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white in her quest to leave a lasting legacy that has enriched our nation.


The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about boys sentenced to the cruel horrors of The Nickel Academy, a reform school based on an actual school.


Now it’s your turn. Please send me an email with your favorite books by African American authors and I’ll list them in next week’s Feel Good Friday. And if you'd like to submit information on an artist, sculptor, painter – any visual artist – for next week, please email me that information, as well. Coming up: performing artists; scientists, inventors and innovators; politicians, change agents; and educators.


Would you like to be a guest author in this space? I’d love to hear from you. This is your space to share your knowledge and love of Black culture and its impact on the American fabric. Looking forward to hearing from you.


Sincerely,


Michelle


Michelle A. Taylor, Ed.D.

President and CEO

United Way of Delaware

"Still I Rise" Speaker Series at Wilmington Library

Wilmington Public Library has announced its Black History Month Speaker Series "Still I Rise" featuring notables such as Sonia Sanchez, Talib Kweli, Ben Crumo and Misty Copeland. Visit the Library's website for complete information.


The Film Society and the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ) present the fifth  Annual Rehoboth Beach African American Film Festival at the Cinema Art Theater, 17701 Dartmouth Dr., Lewes.


Festival attendees will enjoy documentaries, a Friday night opening reception, a surprise opening-night feature film selected by SDARJ Founder Charlotte King, and a Sunday series of shorts that examine efforts by African Americans.


The Film Festival closes with a local documentary, "Finding Their Voices: African American History & The Legacy of Lewes." The film shares memories, experiences and opinions of long-time Lewes residents and those who return to their hometown.

An Amazing Celebration Lineup by SDJAR

The Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDJAR) offers an exciting roster of events celebrating Black History Month. SDJAR is a non-partisan organization that educates, informs, and advocates for racial justice, equality and fair opportunity. Click on the links below to learn more about each event and purchase tickets.

BINGO!

The Power of Reading: Literacy Week Feb. 29 - March 1

Starting February 29th, local authors, community leaders, and law enforcement officers will visit Delaware schools for United Way of Delaware Literacy Week.


Literacy Week 2024 is about sparking imagination, inspiring young minds, and helping our kids build foundational skills for lifelong learning.


The week will be packed with activities, school visits from authors, and visits by community volunteers who will read aloud to the children. Learn more here.

Engineering Your Tomorrow:

Career Day for Middle School Girls

Please join Million Women Mentors and the Delaware Afterschool Network (DEAN) in spreading awareness about: "Engineering Your Tomorrow - A STEM Career Day for Middle School Girls."


This free day of enjoyable and interactive activities is led by women professionals in the STEM field. Additionally, the day includes informative sessions for parents and caregivers to equip them with the knowledge needed to guide and support their daughters in academic choices related to advanced STEM education..


Here's the link to sign up: http://tinyurl.com/2024EYT

Register Now for the Black Student Summit

United Way of Delaware, The Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative and Barclays present the Third Annual Black Student Summit on March 23, 10 am - 4 pm at

Appoquinimink High School, Middletown, DE


Check out the Black Student Summit webpage for information, updates and

workshop topics. All students, regardless of race and ethnicity, are invited to attend.


REGISTER NOW!

Congratulations and Thank You!

Congratulations to Dr.John Moore and Tim Sheldon, two beloved colleagues who recently retired from United Way of Delaware. John and Tim, we honor your legacy and dedicated service to UWDE and the people of Delaware. You will be missed!!

Watch the video below to hear John and Tim talk about their great ride.

Live United!

Please support our work!

If you would like to support our efforts to help build a better Delaware, please donate to United Way of Delaware here. You can make a one-time donation or a recurring monthly contribution. When you give to the United Way of Delaware you’re joining individuals and organizations who are working together to improve life for everyone in Delaware and Salem County (NJ). We appreciate your support.

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