Wilson, NC: Return on Investment (ROI)
The NCC-UMC invested 5 years of LtW Ministry resources and a grant of $42,000 in efforts in Wilson to address racial equity through Churches Coming Together for Justice. I am pleased to report a great return on the Conference’s investment.
Living the Word – Wilson Ministry will continue after the Conference ceases involvement. Acting as advisers to GA will be a primary activity.
Gentlemen’s Agreement (GA)
Superintendent of Schools Mills has acknowledged the racial achievement gap in the Wilson County Schools and announced that Maurice Barnes will become Equity Officer for the school system. Maurice is part of a regional network of school equity officers.
As part of Maurice’s responsibilities, he will implement the GA program throughout the school system beginning with the middle schools. GA has now also expanded to 2 elementary schools. GA uses documents developed by the LtW Ministry (job descriptions, budgets, program plans) to scale up.
In addition, GA has begun an achievement program for girls called PRIDE.
Dismantling Racism
The LtW Ministry-Wilson held the first Organizing Against Racism #1 Training (OAR) in eastern NC in Wilson on April 25th and 26th. We partnered with OAR Raleigh (ROAR) who hosted the first workshop through their on-line registration. LtW Wilson plans to develop the capacity to organize additional OAR training in Eastern NC in the future.
Barton College
May 2019, Terry Lee Perry graduated from Hunt High school and was awarded the first Gentlemen’s Agreement scholarship from Barton College.
In Our Own Backyard. Black Genius and the Quest for Racial Equity in Wilson
Black Genius is a youth development and leadership program of GA and the Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House and Museum to show GA and other Wilson youth the historical leadership and accomplishments of the African American community in Wilson in the fight for racial equity. This program will be implemented with the Wilson County Schools in the fall of 2019.
Wilson Community College
Three GA graduates, Isaac Farmer, Isian Davis, and Melvin Savage are some of the first recipients of a new scholarship at WCC. WCC will award at least one scholarship to a GA graduate each year.
Much Respect, Rev. Maurice Barnes and other members of the LtW- Wilson ministry; Rev. Tuck Taylor, Rev. George Loveland, Priscilla Morello, Gloria Freeman, Dr. Ron Williams, Faye Williams, and Larry Guissert (2015-2017).