Every day is an opportunity to uplift and engage with the extraordinary Black voices in our local Nonprofit community. Black History month will soon come to an end, but the importance of these organizations is felt year-round. We have an opportunity to support these amazing organizations that work every day to make our Charlottesville community a better place for everyone by spotlighting three organizations a month. Organizations such as City of Promise, 100 Black Men of Central Virginia, and the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center are just a few local Black led organizations that are always looking for support.
City of Promise’s mission is to end generational poverty, and to foster a culture of achievement in which all children in our community graduate from high school, ready for college or career. They do this by implementing programs such as Promise Baby Academy, a program that gives parents of babies and toddlers the skills needed to raise happy and healthy children; Pathways Coaching, where coaches work with parents and teachers to help children reach their academic potential; and Family Empowerment that encourages education and job placement.
The 100 Black Men of Central Virginia advocate for the elimination of the achievement gap of African American males in grades K -12. Some of their programs include “Math, Men & Mission Summer Academy” (M-Cubed), a summer program aimed at helping rising 5th through 8th graders develop strong math skills; and their High School Scholars Program, which prepares students for success in and out of the classroom as well as scholarships.
The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center’s mission is to honor and preserve the rich heritage and legacy of the African American community of Charlottesville-Albemarle. The public can take guided tours and gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which African Americans transformed the landscape of the area as well as attend a host of events created by the center.
To learn more about how you can help these local nonprofits and other organizations, visit the ReImagineCVA.org website. ReImagineCVA.org, a partnership between the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, United Way of Greater Charlottesville, and other local organizations, was created to help community members find ways to be meaningfully engaged in their community. ReImagineCVA.org drives volunteers to where they are needed and connects donors to the causes and initiatives that need their support.
