DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI)
Guest Speaker: Dr. Chloe Poston, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Davidson College
Unfortunately, when you hear DEI mentioned in many media outlets today, it often comes with a negative connotation, weaponized by individuals who seek to spread fear and hatred to those willing to listen. But DEI is not something to be feared; it is something to be celebrated and understood. For those who may feel uncertain about DEI, those who feel slighted by DEI policies in their workplace, and those who have benefited from DEI by gaining a seat at the table—this is an invitation to join the conversation. And for those with youth and young adults in your circle, this will be a great opportunity to bring them along.
Dr. Poston's evidence-based approach is informed by a Ph.D. in Bio Analytical Chemistry from Brown University, complemented by certifications in Leadership and Strategic Impact from the Tuck School of Business and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her career spans academia, industry, and policy, providing a comprehensive perspective on organizational dynamics. Learn more about Dr. Poston here.
Connect with Old Friends. Make a New One.
Please register to attend: email Ada Jenkins or call 704.896.0471.
RESCHEDULED: August 8th Community Dinner Party has been rescheduled to August 22nd due to inclement weather.
Hosted by Ada Jenkins Center, Unity in Community, Grace Covenant Church, Gethsemane Baptist Church, Journey Church, Lake Norman YMCA, and Angels & Sparrows. Click here for the event flyer (in English and español).
Join UiC Board members, Aurrita Payne and Bruce McDonald, and walk a mile to help fight global trafficking and exploitation of children. UiC is supporting this critical non-profit through a fundraising effort. Click HERE to learn more about the event, to donate to UiC's team and/or to join us on the walk. (Once on the JOY of Freedom Walk website, scroll down and select the team "Unity in Community North Meck"). It is not necessary to register to join the walk. Aurrita and Bruce will be wearing Unity in Community t-shirts.
Formerly known as the Barefoot Mile, the JOY of Freedom Walk is a family-friendly one-mile walk to raise funds to celebrate the freedom and hope given to at-risk and trafficked children around the world through the work of JOY International, a non-profit working globally to fight trafficking and exploitation of children.
PHOTO: UiC members on last year's walk - Rev. Anita Harvell, Rev. Pat Jobe, Rev. Aurrita Payne, and Bruce McDonald
In this turbulent time, it is critical that we come together in a peaceful manner with open hearts and mutual respect regardless of political party. The intention of this rally is to inform and inspire, giving each of us the knowledge while renewing our hearts and our drive to work towards achieving a democracy that is inclusive, robust, just and multi-racial for future generations.
PLEASE JOIN US THIS WEDNESDAY, July 17 at 7:00pm! Unity in Community will come together to host a John Lewis Day of Action Rally, along with organizations across the country, to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the death of the late Congressman John Lewis and more importantly, his life’s work to secure voting rights for all people.
With the ongoing attack on democracy, UiC's John Lewis Day of Action Rally will highlight the urgency of this moment in our history. We will educate, motivate, and activate our community through guest speakers, song, music and spoken word to work toward the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, the Native American Voting Rights Act, and DC Statehood.
Invite your friends, neighbors, relatives, coworkers, and church family!
Bring a lawn chair and cool refreshments!
The rally will replace UiC's quarterly July meeting. UiC is nonpartisan – any event we host is intended to educate and motivate each of us so that we can act on and vote on issues that are important to us.
Connect with Old Friends. Make a New One.
Please register to attend: email Ada Jenkins or call 704.896.0471.
THIS THURSDAY, July 11th, connect with old friends and make a new one – join your neighbors (and invite your neighbors!) for a community dinner party – just for the fun of it!
Hosted by Ada Jenkins Center, Unity in Community, Grace Covenant Church, Gethsemane Baptist Church, Journey Church, Lake Norman YMCA, and Angels & Sparrows. Click here for the event flyer (in English and español).
Be inspired! Feel empowered! Take action!
Our nation’s history tells the story of a people striving to be more fair and just. It's the story of generations standing up and pushing against the status quo. It’s the story of individuals who believed that all citizens had a responsibility to guide the direction of this fine nation. And it’s the story of a hard-fought-for right that, even today, deserves and requires our attention. That right is the right to vote.
If you question whether or not your vote matters. If you feel uninspired by parties or persons running for office. If you wonder if it’s worth your time and energy to vote, then please plan to come. Whether you feel passionate or indifferent about this year's elections, come, be inspired and encouraged, and be empowered to participate in ways that are meaningful to you that ensure your voice, along with all of our votes, count.
Guest speakers Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson and Jennifer Roberts are eager to share how their organizers are for fired up social justice!
Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson
Executive Director of UU Justice NC, the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina.
Rev. Garcia-Sampson will talk about UU The Vote and the 88 North Carolina organizations she is working with through her role as executive director of UU Justice NC.
Jennifer Roberts
NC co-leader for the Carter Center’s Strengthening Democracy Project, along with former NC Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr. This initiative works with a number of coalition partners to restore faith in established democratic norms and pave the way for fair, safe and secure elections in the coming years.
In addition to these dynamic speakers, local organizations, including League of Women Voters and Red, Wine & Blue CLT, will share their efforts to promote democracy and to further voting participation. UiC's Social Justice Committee will fill us in on the efforts we have been taking as well. Unity in Community is excited to host this important event – and we want you to come and join us!
All are welcome. Bring a friend.
Please join us as we review the impact Unity in Community has made this past year in our North Mecklenburg communities and celebrate with us the accomplishments that you made happen! We are excited to hear your ideas about the opportunities that UiC can play a role in this coming year. We're looking forward to spending this time together and hearing from you. Bring your enthusiasm, your suggestions, and a friend!
Unity in Community North Mecklenburg, Torrence Chapel AME Zion Church, & Davidson Presbyterian Church invite you to join us for A Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration honoring Nannie Houston Potts the first and only Black mayor in the Town of Cornelius.
1:00-2:00pm • Community Dinner & Fellowship
2:00-4:00pm • Program featuring The Strollers, food, music, and speakers.
The event is free. Donations toward Torrence Chapel AMEZ Church’s education committee college scholarships are welcomed.
Questions? Contact info@uic-nmeck.org or torrencechapel@bellsouth.net.
Sharing Our Stories. Sharing Our Strengths.
A Community Discussion of LGBTQ+ Equality.
In these times of increasing attacks on the LGBTQ+ community – through both local, state and federal policies targeting the LGBTQ+ community and violence and hate directed towards LGBTQ+ individuals, how can we show love for our neighbors, help build greater support for the LGBTQ+ community, and advance racial equity?
Join us as we learn from Reverend Sonja Lee and others in the LGBTQ+ community. Rev. Sonja Lee has had a hand in shaping churches across the Mecklenburg County area. She is Founder/Executive Director of the Lionel Lee Jr. Center for Wellness, a community health center, that continues to do groundbreaking work for some of the most underserved in our community.
All are welcome. Please come with an open heart and with the intention to learn, to grow and to be supportive of our neighbors.
Parking is limited, if you are able-bodied thank you for parking in Davidson United Methodist Church's parking lot across the street.
UiC is supporting this critical non-profit through a fundraising effort (we are currently in second place!). If you are able to donate, please click the link below.
Join UiC board member, Bruce McDonald, and walk a mile in solidarity with impoverished and trafficked children. Register at the event. Charlotte is the eighth worst city in America, according to an international group which monitors this travesty. Metro Charlotte is particularly bad because of a major airport and the intersection of so many major highways. In addition to JOY International, The Barefoot Mile will also benefit On Eagles Wings, a safehouse in Concord that houses and helps rehab women coming out of prostitution and children rescued from trafficking situations.
The Barefoot Mile walk is an annual event that raises money to support JOY International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the prevention of child trafficking and to the freedom, healing, and empowerment of trafficked children, teens, and young adults worldwide. Learn more about JOY International and The Barefoot Mile.
