WFWP USA Offers Grant to Empower the Black Community

Written by WFWP USA

Women’s Federation for World Peace USA is pleased to announce three stellar organizations that were selected as recipients of the Turn the Tide Grant. This special grant of $10,000 was created following the murder of George Floyd in order to empower and support the black community, especially in the wake of the current pandemic. (Read WFWP’s statement here) Indeed, it was an inspiration from WFWP International Senior Vice President, Sun Jin Moon, to use monies raised through the Giving for Good project to make an impact on the situation here in the United States, which has touched many of our hearts and lives.

WFWP Founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon has said, “History is calling for reconciliation, compassion, love, service, and sacrifice. Today’s problems cannot be solved by the logic of power, our present problems can only be solved by the logic of love.” Therefore, in that spirit and with Dr. Moon’s heart to care for those most in need, we award this grant in order to propel each of these organizations forward in their instrumental work as they continue to uplift those they impact. Read below for more information about each of the organizations and their work.

First Recipient: Black Girl Health Foundation

Despite overall improvements in health and health care, women of color continue to lag behind white women in health outcomes. For example, black women are more likely to die from complications during pregnancy and childbirth and have a much higher mortality rate connected with breast cancer and other cancers. Adult African Americans are also more likely to have feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness than their white counterparts. Thus, Black Girl Health Foundation (BGHF) has set out to improve the health of black women and girls through empowerment, engagement, and education. With Executive Director Porcha Johnson, they work to reduce the health disparities that continue to exist among minorities and communities with the highest health risks.

One of their major programs is the College Ambassador Program. For every 2 College Ambassadors recruited, the organization is able to impact approximately 1,000 women and girls. College Ambassadors work together with BGHF to create virtual and in-person workshops in their community to promote nutrition, exercise, and disease prevention education. Not only are these young women helping others to adopt healthy habits and lifestyle, they are also empowered as leaders. They gain critical skills in outreach, social media, event planning, public speaking, and more as College Ambassadors.

Another major project through which BGHF is making a positive change for women and girls is the Minds Matter Campaign. This is a series of workshops in partnership with libraries around the country on topics relating to mental health. There are workshops on topics such as choosing healthy foods to nourish your mind, natural approaches to dealing with depression, healing mentally through exercise, and discovering mental blocks to maintaining a healthy weight. Workshops also focus on topics which impact women in particular such as postpartum depression, single mom anxiety, and regaining mental health after surviving domestic violence. Since racism and social injustices have a significant impact on African Americans’ mental health, BGHF also organizes workshops on maintaining mental health while facing disparity and injustice. Finally, with the current pandemic, BGHF is only continuing to increase their reach, including education and empowerment on dealing with pandemic stress, the isolation of quarantine, and the stress moms are facing with taking care of their children’s education.

Second Recipient: WORTH Foundation

Established in 2016 and based in Columbus, OH, the WORTH (Working Through Obstacles Reaching True Heights) Foundation cultivates leadership and works to increase civic and community engagement in order to reduce social injustices, strengthen democratic values, and advance human achievement. Led by a dynamic mother-son duo, Dr. Tina Pierce (Co-Founder and CEO) and Andrew Pierce II (Co-Founder and Board Chair), WORTH is educating and engaging young men and women on how they can become informed and active members of their communities, gaining the skills and knowledge necessary to reach their “true heights” as leaders.

One of WORTH’s major programs includes the Civic Engagement & Leadership Academy at the Columbus Alternative High School, which, in addition to civic literacy, also provides college and career readiness skills. In 2018, WORTH impacted over 5,000 youth through this program to create positive community change. The Civic Engagement & Leadership Academy impacts many more who engage with community level programs. WORTH also holds an annual conference which brings together young people from across Central Ohio to learn how they can be the change through civic engagement, leadership development, and community organizing. This year’s Be the Generation to Risk It All Conference will be held virtually, allowing the organization to impact many more young men and women.

At this time when the voices of leaders from the black community are needed more than ever, WORTH is continuing to empower those young leaders to make a positive impact. For example, Board Chair Andrew Pierce II was a panelist for the Columbus Metropolitan Club Forum “Racism: Where Do We Go From Here? Young Black Men Speak” where he spoke about how young people are standing up to make their voices heard. WORTH’s youth advisory board also convened and facilitated a virtual community conversation “Transforming Columbus: A Youth Conversation on Criminal Justice Reform” in June 2020.

Third Recipient: Bee Fabulous Moments

Bee Fabulous Moments Incorporated (BFM) was founded in memory of the life and legacy of Bronwyn “Bee” Antoinnette Greene Richards, who was tragically and suddenly killed in 2010 by her estranged husband when she was only 46 years old. “She was a bright starburst of energy, a loving daughter; nurturing mother of her two children, devoted wife; enthusiastic and creative art teacher; and a staunch community servant and advocate.” In honor of her legacy, Bee Fabulous Moments works to provide encouragement, comfort, and refuge for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

As President of BFM Ms. Tawanda Rooney informed us, even before the covid-19 pandemic, domestic violence was a public health crisis in the United States. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women and 10 million children witness domestic violence annually. However, with the outbreak of the pandemic and the subsequent stay-at-home orders many states and cities implemented, the isolation has only added fuel to the fire. There are many women and children for whom home is not a safe refuge and they are forced into increased interaction with their abusers due to the current situation. Thus, the need for victims of domestic violence is particularly critical at this time.

Bee Fabulous Moments partners with domestic violence shelters to encourage, uplift, and motivate domestic violence survivors. Their programs include providing gifts and needed cheer during the holiday, consolation for families of victims who were murdered, and comfort to children survivors living in shelters through providing teddy bears. Since being established in 2018, BFM has supported over 1,000 domestic violence survivors, their children and families in 6 cities in partnership with more than 10 shelters, agencies, and organizations. With the situation of covid-19, BFM is working to re-stock shelters with much-needed PPE, basic cleaning and sanitizing supplies, and non-perishable food items. Working with shelters in Las Vegas, NV; Prince George’s County, MD; Charles County, MD; Washington, DC; Petersburg, VA; Trenton, NJ; and Indianapolis, IN and other domestic violence organizations, BFM is providing PPE, toiletries, and other personal items for women and PPE, crafts, games, school supplies, and toiletries for children.

Please join us in congratulating and thanking these three amazing organizations for the selfless work they are doing to serve women, youth, families and their communities!