Carter G Woodson Annual Report

C ARTER G . W OODSON SCHOLARSHIP & COMMUNITY SERVICE FOUNDATION

M eet The 2020/2021 FY CGW Board of Directors

CULTURAL ENRICHMENT CULTURAL ENRICHMENT

Breath Bag & Book Giveaway Reading Is Fundamental

CARTER G. WOODSON

2020/2021 ANNUAL REPORT 1

C A R T E R G . W O O D S O N

CONTENTS

14

ARLINGTONW. DAVIS III, J.D.

RICHARD L. JONES SR, J.D.

04

17

What Is Our Organization? What Is Our Organization, Followed By Who Are We?

12

15

LANCE DORSEY SR. 18

Meet the 2020/2021 FY CGW Board Bios from the 2020/2021 FY CGW Board Of Directors

ANDRE SMALLS, PHD

26

Annual Financial Statement Shannon Blackamore

36

Cultural Enrichment Woodson Boys Club Black Excellence Program

LANGSTON EVANS 21

16

40

CGW CARTER G. WOODSON FOUNDATION INC.

Reading Is Fundamental Breath Bag & Book Giveaway

SHANNON BLACKAMORE

42

Social Action Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway & COVID-19 Vaccination Awarenes Campaign

48

Scholarship 2021 Talent Hunt, James C. Wright & Gamma Chapter

20

C A R T E R G . W O O D S O N

S C H O L A R S H I P & C O M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E F O U N D A T I O N

C A R T E R G . WO O D S O N

21 RODNEY

SAUNDERS JR.

22

Koute Toure CGW Reading Is Fundamental Program Director

ABOUT The Carter G. Woodson Scholarship and Community

Service Foundation, Inc. was incorporated by the

HON. EVERETT MITCHELL, J.D.

Wisconsin Secretary of State on May 13, 1994. Its

incorporators were Charles Brown; Anthony Wade,

who served as the first president; and Solomon

23

Ashby. Four months later, the foundation received

its 501(c)(3) status as a public charity from the

Internal Revenue Service. The mission of the

foundation is twofold: to provide community

24

service to the underserved youth and families

and to extend scholarships to graduating high

school seniors who enroll full time in accredited

post-secondary educational institutions including

Alex Thompson CGW Scholarship Program Director

vocational/technical colleges. The ultimate goal of

the foundation is to help improve the quality of life

for the less fortunate in the Madison community.

W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M

What Is Our

Organization?

T he Carter G. Woodson Scholarship and Community Service Foundation is a 501(c) (3) that was founded by the Gamma Gamma Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and incorporated by the Wisconsin Secretary of State on May 13, 1994. The motto of the Foundation “Education + Community Uplift = An Improved Quality of Life” was adopted in the first year and continues to guide our efforts. The primary purpose of the Woodson Foundation is to provide charitable services to the disadvantaged and downtrodden of our Community. Our ultimate mission is to help improve the quality of life for the less fortunate in the Madison community. To those ends, we have: • Launched the Woodson Boys Club Mentoring Program. • Distributed new, multicultural, high interest books to middle school students. • Offered cultural enrichment opportunities for youth who lack access to such. • Donated food to families and individuals at Thanksgiving. • Granted college scholarships and/or book awards to graduating high school students. The Woodson Foundation operates four (4) standing programs: Scholarship, RIF, Social Action, and Cultural Enrichment.

graduating high school students, who have demonstrated a commitment to education as a pathway to a successful life and to community service as a means of changing the world, and who have demonstrated an ability to overcome adversity and a commitment to helping others. The READING IS FUNDAMENTAL (RIF) Book Distribution Program distributes new, high interest, age appropriate, multicultural books to elementary and middle school students, to encourage a love for reading, increase literacy and improve reading scores. The Social Action Program engages in multi- faceted charitable community service projects intended to improve the lives of the less fortunate of our Community. One of our most successful Social Action Programs is our Annual Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway at which we provide turkeys and complete meals to hundreds of families. The Cultural Enrichment Program promotes cultural opportunities for disadvantaged youth who lack access to major arts and cultural institutions. One of our most important avenues to reach young people is our Woodson Boys Club Mentoring Program which is designed to provide life skills and educational opportunities for children within our community, that they may lead positive, productive lives both now and in the future.

The Scholarship Program awards scholarships and/or book awards to disadvantaged

4

“

Education + Community Uplift = An Improved Quality of Life

“

C G W 5

W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M

W H O A R E W E ? W H O E ?

O ur Organization was developed to serve high-risk and under-served populations including racial and ethnic minority populations who face racial, economic, and geographic inequities and barriers. Our Organization is comprised of professional men who are all members of racial and ethnic minority populations. We are educators, lawyers, architects, professors, police officers, youth advocates, economists, artists, musicians, ministers, judges, and engineers. Our Organization is comprised of men who desire to make a difference in the lives of others with a special commitment to African American boys for whom we desire to open the doors of access to the promised “American Dream.” Our Organization is comprised of a group of community servants who comprehend that we must be the hands that open doors of opportunity and growth for others because others who came before us were the hands that opened those doors for us.

6

W

G

C

The Woodson Boys Club Black Excellence Program

Academic/Career Development:: We stress the importance of education to the future of every boy involved in our Program. We monitor their grades, academic performance, and behavior and find ways to improve them. We expose them to various careers so that they may begin to consider their futures and available options. We take college tours and trips to various companies and businesses to expose them to the many career and educational opportunities that exist. We expose them to politics and social issues so that they truly learn to make informed decisions about life.

pride in one’s ethnicity, culture and heritage while also providing a healthy and appreciative respect for the ethnicity, culture and heritage of others. Mentoring: Our boys need to see men who look like them and who have already experienced the challenges and struggles that they are facing and will face in the future and those men will serve as guides and voices through those challenges and struggles. Therefore, our goal is to provide a mentor for each boy who will guide, mentor, monitor, and inspire each boy to dream of and pursue positive, productive lifestyles. Community Service: For every member of our Organization, ours is a life of service, as we truly believe that our success obligates us to be a blessing to others in need. Therefore, we and man involved is expected to perform 25 hours of community service per year to enable us to give something back to our community while teaching our boys how important it is to reach out and help others. Community service projects are announced on a monthly basis, with men and boys eligible to volunteer as time permits. will share that obligation with the boys that we work with that may become community servants as well. Each boy

Cultural Enrichment, Enhancement and Education: African American history has been systematically removed from our schools and the public arena and those omissions have left our children void of any connection to their past. Therefore, they have no real appreciation for the price that was

paid to enable them to enjoy the freedoms that they now enjoy and they are also at times unaware of the realities of the world today as they know little of the past. For that reason, we educate our children to their history. We provide access to cultural opportunities that will promote

7

MESSAGE FROM

WOODSON PRESIDENT

Greetings, M y name is Arlington W. Davis III, and I am honored to have served as the President of the Carter G. Woodson Scholarship and Community Service Foundation Inc. (CGW) for the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 fiscal years. In keeping with our outstanding former Presidents and Board of Directors, I have enjoyed carrying the torch of success in my role as leader of this organization. CGW is a completely volunteer organization and I sincerely express my gratitude to and for our dedicated Board of Directors and members of the Foundation. Additionally, as similarly stated by our former Presidents, CGW would not be the outstanding organization that it is without the support and financial assistance of our wonderful sponsors, donors, and contributors. On behalf of the Foundation, We Thank You! D uring my tenure as President, we experienced a once in a hundred-years Global Pandemic, COVID-19. ThisGlobal Pandemic inherentlycausedsignificant challenges for the world, including but not limited to, the intensification of health, economic, environmental, and educational disparities among people of color and our traditionally under-served communities. CGW has and continues to meet the challenges required to overcome the impact of this once in a hundred-year phenomena. As a result, we developed alternatives that would facilitate the challenges involved with this pandemic. For example, we:

“CGW has and continues to meet the challenges required to overcome the impact of this once in a hundred-year phenomena. “

8

1.

Created and enhanced a new website created by Brother Anthony Burks andmaintained by Brother Muhammad Shehata. 2. Created and implemented a hybrid version of our Woodson Boys Club Black Excellence Mentoring Program, involving virtual and in person sessions. 3. Developed a COVID -19 CDC Recommended Distribution of Thanksgiving Turkeys and Meals to over 300 traditionally under-served families. 4. Developed a Virtual Talent Hunt Competition displaying the enormous talents of our young students in the areas of art and performance. 5. Distributed “BreathBooks andBags” inplace of our traditional Reading is Fundamental BookGiveaway. 6. Our vision for the immediate future is to increase raising of funds towards SCHOLARSHIP. Our long- term vision for the Foundation involves a major capital fund drive to purchase rather than lease a physical location to implement and develop our core four programs. Additionally, to purchase rather than lease / rent transportation for our programs. I n closing, I will state a quote often cited by my spouse, Andreal Davis, which is “VISUALIZE THE FUTURE AND BE INSPIRED”. The CGW Foundation is very grateful of the support and financial assistance of our sponsors, donors, and contributors. We look forward to our continued partnerships with said sponsors, donors, and contributors in serving people of color and our traditionally under-served communities.

S incerely,

A rlington W. Davis III, J.D.

P resident

C arter G. Woodson Scholarship and Community Service Foundation Inc.

9

Message from Woodson Board Me ber Emeritus

Charles Brown

S ince the Carter G. Woodson Foundation extended me the high honor of Board Member Emeritus, I continue to proudly carry the banner of both optimism and hope for the commendatory work that it is doing for under-represented youth and families in the Madison area community. The foundation’s programming in the areas of cultural enrichment, social action, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) book distributions, and scholarship has provided an impactful service to those most in need and thus continues to improve the quality

CARTER G. WOODSON

of life for this population. Since the inception of the foundation some twenty-seven years ago, the sun has not always shone, and there were plenty days of rain. I’m painfully reminded of the 2007- 2008 recession when contributions from donors fell at the same time the community needed to grow. As a result, the foundation reorganized it efforts and financial resources and still met critical community needs. Then years later came the deadly, raging global Pandemic that caused the Board and members to become creative and still meet those needs. The foundation went from in- person mentoring of African American middle school boys to Zoom mentoring and is meeting the challenges head on. After sponsoring the in-person Thanksgiving Food Drive for twenty-eight years, the foundation quickly shifted to a drive-by format. Unequivocally, the Woodson Foundation will remain dynamic in its services to the community for generations to come, one child, one family at a time. To the Executive Board of Directors, members, donors, and volunteers, we thank you and ask for your continued support. Upward, outward, and onward.

10

Message from Basileus of G mma Gamma Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. O n behalf of the Gamma Gamma Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, it is my Rafeeq Asad

and the work of the Carter G. Woodson Foundation, that I can proudly say that the Madison Omegas has and continues to help improve the quality of life for the less fortunate in the Madison community. This has continued to be a year of incredible adjustments, ingenuity, and perseverance. Despite the unprecedented times across the national landscape of social justice, politics, race relations and a global pandemic; we pride ourselves on our dedication to greatness and remaining actively engaged in the community and at large. Following an award-winning year for the chapter, we did not let the challenging environment hinder us from our social actionmandates andworkinghard forOmega. TheGammaGammaGammaChapter has remained focused, disciplined and dedicated to having an immense impact within the community. While our brothers climb and reach new heights in their respective fields, we remember to lift our neighbors in the backyards of the city in which we live, work, and play. We have embarked on our largest health initiative to date in securing the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Covid-19 Vaccine OutreachGrantandhaspartneredwiththeWoodson Foundation to execute it across the city of Madison. As Basileus of this small, but mighty chapter, I am excited about our forward movement and look to grow our reach throughout the Madison and Dane County areas in continued partnership with the Carter G. Woodson Foundation. Together, we will be the change agents needed, continuing to set a clear vision for this chapter while striving to change lives and uplift the community.

honor to share with you our involvement and commitment to the Carter G. Woodson Scholarship and Community Service Foundation. The Foundation is the service arm of the Gamma Gamma Gamma chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and has a 501(c)(3). Status as a charitable corporation from the internal revenue Service. Themission of the foundation is twofold: to provide community service to the disadvantaged and downtrodden and to extend scholarships to graduating seniors who enroll full time in accredited post-secondary educational institutions. It is through these focused efforts

11

M eet The CGW Foundation Members & W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M

12

2020/2021 Gamma Gamma Gamma Chapter of the omega Psi Phy Fraternity Inc

13

C G W

14

CGW VICE PRESIDENT ANDRE SMALLS PHD EDUCATOR MADISON METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT

15

C G W

16

17

C G W

18

19

C G W

20

21

CGW READING IS FUNDAMENTAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR KOUT E TOURE ARCHIT ECTURAL ASSOCIAT E FLAD ARCHIT ECTS

C G W

22

CGW SOCIAL ACTION PROGRAM DIRECTOR HON. EVERETT MITCHELL, J.D. JUDGE DANE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

23

CGW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM DIRECTOR ALEX THOMPSON PRINCIPLE-SHERMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL MADISON METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT

C G W

24

CARTER G. WOODSON

The Scholarship Program grants cash scholarships

and/or book awards to under-served, college- bound, graduating high school seniors who attend accredited post secondary educational institutions

including vocational/technical colleges. Both scholarships and book awards have been presented to recipients since the inception of the foundation in 1994.

25

W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M

The Carter G. Woodson Scholarship and Community Service Foundation Inc. received a total of $68,750.00 for the 2020/2021 fiscal year through grants from corporate sponsors, the State of Wisconsin Department of Health, Madison Metropolitan School District and individual donors.

The table and chart on the next page illustrates the specified amounts distributed to

each of our four core programs:

W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M

26

SOCIAL ACTION PROGRAM

$36,550.00

53.16 %

CULTURAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

$21,200.00

30.84 %

SCHOLARSHIP / UNRESTRICTED

$6,000.00

8.73 %

READING IS FINDAMENTAL (RIF)

$5,000.00

7.27 %

7.27 %

S

ocial Action Program

8.73 %

C

u ltural Enrichment Program

53.16 %

S R

30.84 %

cholarship / Unrestricted

e ading Is Fundamental (RIF)

CARTER G. WOODSON SCHOLARSHIP & COMMUNITY SERVICE FOUNDATION. INC

27

Cultural E nrichment, E nhancement & E ducation i t, t ti Program Director ~ Rodney Saunders

Cultural Enrichment, Enhancement and Education: African American history has been systematically removed from our schools and the public arena and those omissions have left our children void of any connection to their past. Therefore, they have no real appreciation for the price that was paid to enable them to enjoy the freedoms that they now enjoy and they are also at times unaware of the realities of the world today as they know little of the past. For that reason, we educate our children to their history. We provide access to cultural opportunities that will promote pride in one’s ethnicity, culture and heritage while also providing a healthy and appreciative respect for the ethnicity, culture and heritage of others.

28

"We will educate our children to their history."

29

W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M

C ommunity S ervice

30

We truly believe that our success obligates us to be a blessing to others in need.

“

“ Community Service: For every member of our Organization, ours is a life of service, as we truly believe that our success obligates us to be a blessing to others in need. Therefore, we will share that obligation with the boys that we work with that may become community servants as well. Each boy and man involved is expected to perform 25 hours of community service per year to enable us to give something back to our community while teaching our boys how important it is to reach out and help others. Community service projects are announced on a monthly basis, with men and boys eligible to volunteer as time permits. W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M

31

ACADEMIC & CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Academic/Career Development:: We stress the importance of education to the future of every boy involved in our Program. We monitor their grades, academic performance, and behavior and find ways to improve them. We expose them to various careers so that they may begin to consider their futures and available options. We take college tours and trips to various companies and businesses to expose them to the many career and educational opportunities that exist. We expose them to politics and social issues so that they truly learn to make informed decisions about life.

32

We stress the importance of education to the future of every boy involved in our Program.

33

M entoriing Lead Mentor ~ Timothy Hall

“Our goal is to guide,

mentor, moniter, and

inspire each boy to dream

Mentoring: Our boys need to see men who look like them and who have already experienced the challenges and struggles that they are facing and will face in the future and those men will serve as guides and voices through those challenges and struggles. Therefore, our goal is to provide a mentor for each boy who will guide, mentor, monitor, and inspire each boy to dream of and pursue positive, productive lifestyles.

of and pursue positive,

productive lifestyles.”

34

W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M

p

i

s

r

n

e

I

35

The Cultural Enrichment/MentoringProgrampromotes cultural opportunities for youthwho lack access to major arts and cultural institutions. Some of its memorable field trips were to the Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the DuSable Museum in Chicago. In partnership with Madison Metropolitan School District, the Mentoring Program for African American Middle School Boys was begun at the Jefferson Middle School in 2016. The mentoring Program focuses on establishing lasting relationships, serving as positive role models, and exposing the boys to various careers. The Mentoring Program replaced the Tutoring Program which was operated in partnership with the former South Madison Neighborhood Center and the now Boys and Girls Club of Dane County in South Madison. CULTURAL ENRICHMENT CULTURAL ENRICHMENT

36

,

T

&

WHY DID WE DEVELOP THIS PROGRAM? The short answer is that we want to give young people “dreams that are bigger than their win- dows” by exposing them to opportunities and ex- periences that allow them to dream of better lives and equipping them to pursue those dreams. The longer answer is we are frustrated that Af- rican American boys lag 1-3 grades behind their grade level and perform below expected profi- ciency levels. We are frustrated that too many African American boys respect drug dealers and others who engage in criminal activity as a way of life because they are not exposed to men who look like them who have made it out of the streets and/or into successful lives by pursuing their dreams. We are tired to hearing of the school to prison pipeline that often places more African American men in our nation’s prisons and jails than in our nation’s colleges and universities. So, by developing this Program, we are turning our frustration into action so that we can make a difference in the lives of boys in our community the same way men in our communities made a difference in our lives. We are developing this Pro- gram that we might “build a bridge” to success for the young men with whom we shall work by providing life skills and educational opportunities. As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “…we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportu- nity of this nation. And so, we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice” that our children so richly deserve. We have come to help change lives.

WHAT IS OUR PROGRAM? The Woodson Boys Club was established to de- velop productive relationships with local school aged African American boys to enable us to equip them with leadership and academic skills through various cultural enrichment activities, and to offer mentorship and direction while assisting them in their progression as young men. The Woodson Boys Club consists of 4 primary components: (1) Academic/Career Development, (2) Cultural Enrichment, Enhancement and Education, (3) Mentoring Towards Manhood, and (4) Community Service Contributions. Sessions of the Woodson Boys Club includes presentations, speakers, movies/documentaries related to dis- cussion topics, homework assistance, educational opportunities, sports activities, other fun activities and community service projects. In addition to the weekly sessions, monthly educational and experiential trips were planned to various places. WHO IS OUR PROGRAM INTENDED FOR? Our Program is intended for African American boys who are currently in the 5th and 9th grades. We have created two cohorts, one for each grade that is comprised of boys from ever level of the academic and behavioral spectrum. We firmly be- lieve that the proper educational structure is one that recognizes that all children can learn from other children, and that each child has something to teach. Therefore, each cohort is comprised of diverse groups of boys with diverse backgrounds. Once the cohorts have been established, the Program is structured to enable us to work with the members of each cohort for the remainder of their academic careers in the Madison Metropol- itan School District (MMSD). In other words, once a boy has been selected for a cohort, we will work with that boy until he graduates from high school.

37

JP ’s Barbershop ( M anhood)

F ather’s Day Picnic

LT Shannon Blackamore Know Your Rights

38

Auntie DD Uplifting our Youth through History

L angston E vans P erseverance

W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M

39

Reading Is Fundamental Breath Bag & Book Give-away

D ue to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, Our Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) Program was unable to implement our traditional Book Give- away at James C. Wright Middle School. However, we were able to distribute, in July 2021, the “Breath Book and Bag Project” to students participating in the CGW Woodson Boys Club Black Excellence Mentoring Program. The “Breath Book andBag”isaculturallyrelevant “school in backpack” that introduces (K through 12th grades) to age appropriate, theme related content area activities including reading,

math, science, social studies, and art/creative expression. The “Breath Book and Bag” activities are innovative and informative ways for families, teachers, and caregivers to “share and prepare” children for school readiness and facilitate access to additional learning opportunities to enhance students’ mastery of academic content. The activities demonstrate modelsofschool success using culturally relevant learning experiences. The bags contain specific African American theme related materials for families/

CARTER G. WOODSON

“The

activities

demonstrate

models

of school

success using

relevant learning

experiences.”

40

CARTER G. WOODSON Providing our students with these excellent tools for learning in a culturally relevant environment.

adults to reach and teach at home/school/community their child/student. Each backpack is designed to promote positive identity development, positive self- esteem, and promotes early experiences and culturally relevant models of school success for primarily black, biracial, low income and children experiencing homelessness. They also bridge the technology divide that exists by utilizing traditional modes of teaching and learning. The “Breath Book and Bags”

support, while ensuring that children are cared for and have fun as they become prepared for school and facilitate access to additional learning opportunities to enhance students’ mastery of academic content. They also create greater access, affordability, and quality to evaluate and transform early care and education in Wisconsin while creating space for greater equity and inclusion. We would like to thank Andreal Davis, CEO of Cultural Practices that are Relevant LLC, for providing our students with these excellent tools for learning in a culturally relevant environment.

C G W W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M

support the focus on birth to twelfth grade education and family

41

THANKSGIVING TURKEY GIVEAWAY 2020

Each during Thanksgiving, the men of Omega Psi Phi, Inc., through the Carter G. Woodson Foundation, hosts an annual Thanksgiving basket giveaway. In partnership withMt. ZionBaptist Church, year

the American Council of Churches, Second Harvest, James C. Wright Middle School Foundation has supported families in the community for over 25 years. This year, we will continue this tradition of African

42

supporting communities and families as we ensure that no family is without the opportunity to create a table for their family.

Peace Hon/Rev. Everett D. Mitchell, M.Div., Th.M., J.D.

43

W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M

Written By ~ Wesley Herden & Pastor Anthony Wade

COVID 19 VACCINATION AWARENESS CAMPAIGN that return depended heavily upon the vaccination of as many of our nation’s citizens as we could reach. Studies and reality have shown that African Americans are being vaccinated at much slower rates than the rest of the population due to lack of information, fear, access, and trust in the process.

As you are aware, the Corona- virus or COVID-19 ravaged both our nation, and the world. Hospitals were overloaded with the detection and treatment of those infected with the virus. K-12 schools closed, colleges and universities either closed or switched to online instruction, conferences and events canceled, companies requiring employees to work from home, high school, college, and professional sports events canceled or suspended, and citizens throughout our nation were instructed to engage in social distancing of six feet or more, quarantine t h e m s e l v e s in their

homes, and wear masks when around others. Many businesses, schools, and other public activities were canceled due to fear that their operation or event would facilitate the spread of the virus. As the world begins to open back up, states have begun to lift COVID restrictions. Children are returning to schools, sporting events are being hosted, businesses are opening their doors, and theworld is attempting to return to some sense o f pre-COVID normalcy. Howe v e r ,

Our organization, the Carter G. Woodson Scholarship and Community Service Foundation,Inc. (hereinafter, “CGW”), was developed to serve high-risk and underserved populations including racial and ethnic minority populations who face racial, economic,

44

and geographic inequities. CGW is comprised of men who are all members of racial and ethnic minority populations. As an organization developed to serve the marginalized and disenfranchised, we stand in the best position to serve those populations, as we are those populations. We were afraid of the potential death toll that could result among African American people if they were not vaccinated and we wanted to help increase knowledge, trust, access, and actual testing and vaccination rates. ” It is important to note that African Americans do not trust “the systems” that have routinely and consistently disrespected them and denied them opportunity and access to “the American Dream.” If your desire is to reach African American families and individuals, you will need people that they know, trust, and respect. CGW has served the greater Madison area faithfully for over 26 years. We are well-known, highly regarded, and genuinely respected. Every member of our organization holds a bachelor’s degree or higher. Therefore, we were in the best position to carry forth the message that all should be vaccinated and that it is indeed safe. African Americanboys are among some of the

most underemployed demographic in the Madison area. We increased our organizations workforce by employing and training young men that are already engaged in our Woodson Boys Club Mentoring Program to disseminate flyers, brochures, and other relevant information within their communities. Together, we planned to go door-todoor to safely discuss at a distance, the importance of COVID testing and vaccination(s). With our online presence already established, we will post COVID information on our website and all our social media platforms. We also encouraged our Community Partners to also post COVID information on their websites and social media platforms. CGW has utilized its listofhundredsof contacts in the community to send routine emails, text messages, and make telephone calls to families and individuals to share COVID information. Furthermore, we transported the elderly and those with transportation barriers to COVID testing and vaccination sites. We firmly believed that the efforts would indeed “increase knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 and vaccines and facilitate downstream improvements in COVID-19 vaccination rates and the disparities that exist in these rates.” Towards those ends, the Foundation

partnered with Today Not Tomorrow for Commercials and broadcast on TNT re covid vaccination. We had student employees assisting with learning new skills regarding the entertainment industry all while assisting with education regarding the importance of the vaccination. This included employing individuals to edit video, film, assist with filming, organize venues, scripts, contracts, etc. Additionally, we registered individuals for vaccinations and Covid testing. We provided for the costs for venue, employees, organization, and providing a safe space with educators regarding vaccination. We also provided incentives for vaccinated individuals by issuing Metro Bus Passes and individual Kwik Trip Gas Cards.

45

S CHO L The Carter G. Woodson Foundation

46

A R S H I P S

W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M

47

Scholarship 2021 talent hunt Written By ~ Alex Thompson

CARTER G. WOODSON FOUNDATION

GAMMA GAMMA GAMMA CHAPTER

OF OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY INC.

O n February 20th, 2021, we held our

four contestants competing this year. The four

2021

annual Omega Psi Phi Talent Hunt

contestants included Yani Thoranka who did

Competition for the Gamma Gamma

her spoken word piece entitled, “My Journey”.

Gamma Chapter and the Carter G.

Elijah Edwards who performed his rendition

Woodson Scholarship and Community

of “A Change is Gonna Come” originally

Service Foundation. It was held in

composed by Sam Cooke. Camryn Currier

conjunction with the Black History

performed “I’m Here” from the Broadway

Education Conference as part of the

musical “The Color Purple.” Finally, Abubacarr

Student Strand. The performances

Darboe presented a piece of photography

were held via zoom, and they were

entitled, “Black Mental Health.” The winner

pre-recorded. We had three very

was Yani Thoronka who will be advancing to

accomplished adjudicators. The first

the District Competition this coming April.

adjudicator was Ryan Thompson who is

Each of the winners received cash prizes and

an accomplished musician and music

a token of appreciation on behalf of the CGW

teacher. The second was Prenicia Clifton

Foundation and the Gamma Gamma Gamma

who is an accomplished and experienced

Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

Opera vocalist. The third is Alexandrea

Cordell who is an emerging Gospel Singer

W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M

and YouTube Influencer. We had a total of

48

TALENT HUNT

2021

49

wright james c. & Omega Psi Phi T H E C A R T E R G . W O O D S O N S C H O L A R S H I P I S A W A R D E D T O G R A D U A T I N G H I G H S C H O O L S T U D E N T S , W H O H A V E D E M O N S T R A T E D A C O M M I T M E N T T O E D U C A T I O N A S A P A T H W A Y T O A S U C C E S S F U L L I F E A N D T O C O M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E A S A M E A N S O F C H A N G I N G T H E W O R L D . C A R T E R G . W O O D S O N F O U N D A T I O N S C H O L A R S H I P W I N N E R S W I L L H A V E D E M O N S T R A T E D A N A B I L I T Y T O O V E R C O M E A D V E R S I T Y A N D A C O M M I T M E N T T O H E L P I N G O T H E R S .

O ur First Recipient desires to end the discrimination that exists within our criminal justice systemand serve as an agent of change for thosewho aremarginalized and mistreated. As an African Americanwoman, she is often frustratedwhen she sees people who look like her facing countless acts of abuse andmistreatment in a system intended to be just and fair to all. As a firm believer that the color of one’s skin should not determine the severity of the charges or sentence, she is committed to eliminating the stereotypes and negative ideologies that produce the inequities that people of color face. She desires tomajor in Criminal Justice with aminor in African American Studies so that she can help return the criminal justice to its intended purposes and help underprivileged peoplewho fall victim to the biases within the justice systemby raising awareness of themistreatment,

educating the community, serving as a rolemodel and inspiring youth tomake positive change. Believing that racism in the criminal justice system is a pressingmatter that we cannot ignore, she intends to help eliminate the impurities that lie deepwithin our criminal justice systemand encourage others to do the same. Therefore, the Carter G. Woodson Foundation is honored to award our first scholarship to a youngwho is in passionate pursuit of justice for others, Miss Adeja Shannon.

50

O ur next recipient is concernedwith the health care received by Hmong patients in a systemnot intended tomeet themyriad of needs of those of us who are Hmong and comprehend little to no English She desires to bridge the gap between the Hmong community and healthcare providers. When she attended doctor appointments with her grandparents shewas struck by the inability of doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers to effectively communicatewith her grandparents and they would often leave those appointments not understanding any of the information relative to their diagnosis, treatment,

medications, etc. Therefore, they are often left lacking important knowledge of their medical status which can have negative consequences.

Believing that the presence of a Hmong nurse could helpHmong patients by easing their uncertainty about their treatment and creating a comfortable space to ask and understand their health issues and concerns, she intends tomajor in nursing and serve as that Hmong nurse that her community so desperately needs. The Carter G. Woodson Foundation is therefore honored to award our second

scholarship to our next great healthcare provider whowill open the doors of access to the Hmong community, Miss Kareena Thao.

THE AWARD T he Rev. James C. Wright was a native of Camden, South Carolina where he graduated from Mather Academy. His teachers at Mather were role mod- els who “dared to make a difference.” They fought against and resisted every vestige of segregation and discrimination. And it was that attitude and obligation that Rev. Wright adopted and that helped to shape the remainder of his life’s work. Recogniz- ing the importance of education, Rev. Wright left home to study philosophy at Virginia Union Univer- sity where he became involved in the Virginia civil and human rights movement. After completing his pre-theological training at Union, he studied philosophy and theology at Payne A.M.E. Theological Seminary and Wilberforce University and psychology at the University of Wisconsin Madison. His work in Madison speaks for itself, but it also reflects the reality that the Rev. James C. Wright was a “drummajor for justice” and a change agent who believed that his presence in the world was intended to help shape and change the world. Thus, the Rev. James C. Wright Scholarship is awarded to young men who desire to make a difference in the world and whose desire for further education is intended to enhance their ability impact the communities and world that they live in. And today, we have come to recognize a young man whose life, ambitions, and hopes mirror those of Rev. Wright and make him the perfect recipient of this year’s Rev. James C. Wright Scholarship.

THIS YEAR’S RECIPIENT T his year’s recipient of the James C. Wright Scholarship is an exceptional young man raised by a strong, loving single mother, and who has succeeded academically, socially, and personally. Recognizing the obstacles and opposition that African American men face, he desires to contradict the negative stereotypes. He desires to earn his college degree not only for himself, but also for all of the other young black men in the world who did not have the chance to do so. His dreams are entrepreneurial and desires to major in Business Administration and develop his own business. Those dreams have always rested in his heart and in pur- suit of those dreams he consistently enrolled in business classes in high school and began his own Online Sneaker Resale Business. As a training ground for his entrepre- neurial pursuits, he plans to work in a corporate position for a retail company. For all of those reasons and many more, it is our honor to award to the 2021 Rev. James C. Wright Scholarship to one who desires to show the world that all black boys are not thugs but have dreams that positively impact our world as one of our community’s next great entrepre- neurs, Mr. Christian Bell

51

W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M

Freddi Adelson Dr. Sandra Adell Peter Albert Ronald and Anna Albrecht Jane Albright Alliant Energy Foundation Fernando & Carla Alvarado American Family Insurance Michael Anderson Associated Bank Badger Office Supplies H. John Ball

Lamarr & Cheryl Billups Borders Book Store Peter and Debra Brey Dr. Anthony Brown Richard Brown William Brown Mattie Brown Percy & Virginia Brown Mary Burk Benjamin & Rosalind Bryant Angela Byars-Winston Capital Times Kids Fund Patricia Cartwright Denise Carty Ed Clarke Clorox Alphonso Cooper Frederick B. Crawford

The Carter

G. Woodson

Foundation could

not have enjoyed

its tremendous

success over the

years without the

financial assistance

from its donors and

the hard work of

the volunteers. The

following are donors

Vicki Bankston Barnes & Noble Booksellers Mary and Chuck Belin Geraldine Bernard

since March 1996 and

up to the publication

of this report:

52

Bob Esser Thomas Evans

S.M. and Diane J. Crear Community Pharmacy Donald Cooper Copp’s Food Center Felicia and Keith Cornille Cub Foods Culver’s Frozen Custard Cuna Mutual Group Dairy Queen Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Milton and Joan Diehl Cindy Douglas Dearborn Edwards Judith Emmrich Epsilon Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

John Huth Greist & George Lenart Greist Gtech Corporation Gary & Gaila Hagg- Olsen David and Betty Hart Elisabeth R. Hayes Virginia M. Henderson It’s All About You Books, Inc. Mary Ann Jackson Carol Jeffries Mazie Jenkins Gary Johnson Margaret M. Johnson James E. Jones, Jr. Joan Jones

Famous Footwear First Federal Bank Kevin Foley Arnold & Carola Gaines

Pauline Gardner General Casualty Insurance Co. Chere C. Gibson Jonathan D. Gramling Green Bay Packers Foundation Jeff Greenheck Guaranty Bank Kelley Harris-Johnson Heartland Credit Union Heritage Credit Union -(Richard J. Grath Endowment Fund)

Barbara Keresty Kids Fund, Inc. Kinko’s Copies

C O N T I N U E D O N N E X T P A G E

> > > > > >

53

>>>

Madison Rotary Foundation Dennis McClain

Harry & Edjuana Ogden Omega Life Membership Foundation, Inc. One Hundred Black Men of Madison / Project Soar Ovens of Brittany Jonathan Overby Aretha Pearson Charles Calvin Peevy Mary Pennel Patricia Mullen- Peterson Mathew Peterson Stephanie Bradley- Peterson Mike & Sue Petta Pizza Hut Placon Corporation Playscapes

C O N T I NU E D . . . > > > > > >

Dwight McDonald Candace McDowell Althea A. McLeod Milton McPike Meicher CPA Roberta Meyer Madison Gas & Electric Tim Miller Akira and Charlotte Miura Peggy Howard Moore Jim and Mary Moser Ruth Murphy Nick’s Restaurant Robert and Martha Nolan Lionel & Bernadette Norton

Irwin Klibaner Sharon A. Knoop Isadore Knox R. Sharon Koenen Herbert H. Kohl Charities, Inc. Kohl’s Food Store

Dr. Burton W. Kreitlow

Helaine Kriegel Robert Kuehling Gloria Ladson-Billings & Charles Billings Barbara Lam Lands’ End Howard Landsman Afred Limbrick Kathleen & Gerald Lindas

54

The MacArthur Foundation Maria M. Porro-Nigh Alda Preston Promega Corporation Richard Ralston Mike Reid Carol Reuter Kathy Raschke Vincent & Tiajuana Rice Lewis H. & Velma J. Ritcherson Jacqueline Rodman Rotary Club of South Madison Janaan Noonan- Sampson Sam’s Club Melvin O. Seamans Barbara Rehmann- Seguin

University of Wisconsin Credit Union Ray & Joan Unrein Helena Vander Ark Wal-mart Dana Warren Al Whitaker Darrell Williams Wisconsin State Journal Youth Services, Inc. Woodman’s Corporation WPS Charitable Foundation Brennan Wright Jacqueline Wright Ana Zambie Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

Lynn R. & Daniel L. Shafel Myrtle B. & Anthony Shanks Sherry Simmons Spaightwood Galleries Bruce C. & Judy Sperling-Newton Jerry E. Smith Jr. Leotha Stanley Dr. Linda Stewart Super$aver Story Bridge Studio Hazel Symonette Rob Terri Wilson & Eileen Thiede

Amy Jo Thorton Joseph & Gloria

Thomas Al Toon Trek Bicycle

55

Thank You Sponsors!

Aldi’s

Costco CUNA Mutual Delta Dental EPIC Systems

Gamma Gamma Gamma Krogers (Roundys) Madison Metropolitan School District Mary Burke MG&E Navitus Old National Bank Ransom, Fred Bro. Richard J. McGrath Endowment State of Wisconsin Department of Health Summit Credit Union UW Health Woodman’s

56

W W W . C G W F O U N D A T I O N . C O M