ANNUAL REPORT 2021 @empoweretv @empower_etv
empowerthevillage.org info@empowerthevillage.org
Mission & Vision Empower The Village, Inc. (ETV) is a data-driven, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2018 to develop, guide and implement breakthrough, scalable strategies that empower Black people, businesses and community organizations to realize their full potential. ETV is on a mission to restore prosperity, peace, and power to the Black community by leveraging its strategic partnerships service delivery model. ETV's Phase One Agenda focuses on a 25-state footprint (inclusive of D.C.) where 90%+ of Black Americans live, work, and own businesses. It takes a village, strategic Intervention, and collective action to accelerate transformative change in the Black community. Join The Village today!
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
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A Message From ETV's Founder
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Executive Director's Message
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Leadership Team
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ETV Timeline
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Strategic Pillars & Programs
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Community Outreach
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ETV Merchandise
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Financials
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Donors
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Acknowledgments
Empower The Village @empoweretv @empower_etv
empowerthevillage.org info@empowerthevillage.org
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
A Message From ETV's Founder & CEO AYO SANDERSON WILSON
2022 brings renewed optimism, opportunity and urgency! ETV is on track to accelerate its datadriven, strategic and collective action with our partners while we make sustainable progress towards our mission of restoring Prosperity, Peace and Power to the Black community. We have the opportunity to leverage the long, overdue interest in and urgency about racial equity, social and economic justice born of the current crises. “It Takes a Village" is not simply a colloquialism or African proverb to be idly tossed around! In fact, it is exactly what it takes for us to succeed at just about everything in life - especially tackling the large-scale, complex, systemic and historic challenges faced by Black communities in America. The progress made by The Village in the last 60 years (and even the setbacks along the way) are proof that collectively we can overcome just about anything and move forward triumphantly when we work together to achieve seemingly impossible, positive change! As noted in a famous line from Star Trek decades ago (and, yes, I don’t mind dating myself!), “the needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few – or the one.” Therefore, I extend my sincere gratitude to all of you who have thought about “the needs of the many” and have donated your resources and time generously to help us Empower The Village in 2021. Your support made it possible for ETV to ensure that more of us survived or were protected against COVID-19 infections, exercised our right to vote, gained exposure to extraordinary Black art and financially supported our artists as entrepreneurs, celebrated Black culture, emancipation and empowerment, and identified and patronized Black business owners who create jobs for others while providing for their families and building community wealth. Our ambitious goals for 2022 and beyond cannot be accomplished unless our partners, donors, volunteers and leaders stay engaged to empower the communities we serve. Please remember that ‘You Are The Village!’ Thank you again for your past support and we look forward to your continued engagement and generosity throughout this year! With sincere gratitude and high hopes for 2022!
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
A Message From ETV's Executive Director Greetings! When we released ETV’s mid-year Special Report, I marveled over the strides we had made in such a short amount of time. ETV had been fully operational for a while, but it was apparent that our programs and initiatives had gained momentum at an impressive clip in the midst of the pandemic. While we had received constant feedback that our mission had resonance, even we were somewhat surprised! Now, as I reflect on the entirety of 2021, I remain in awe of the progress we have made! 2021 was a truly dynamic year, during which ETV elevated our social media presence, and made significant inroads across all four strategic pillars. We are proud of the contributions we have made to the community, “the Village,” many of which are highlighted in this report. The Economic Prosperity pillar is undoubtedly ETV’s most robust programmatic thrust. We have been lauded for our Make Every Friday Black Friday movement and complementary programs which help market the products and services of Black businesses and entrepreneurs, while advocating for building generational wealth. ETV’s Policy & Power initiative, Operation: Ballot Box, is an invaluable educational resource we created to provide voters with early voting and dropbox information to facilitate safe and unencumbered access to the ballot. This program took root in 2020, continued in 2021, and will accelerate in 2022. The fight to preserve and codify voting rights is the preeminent issue of our times; the ramifications for the Black community cannot be overstated. As systemic efforts to restrict voting and disenfranchise Black and other underserved communities intensify, it is imperative that counter efforts are highly organized and implemented in equal measure. To that end, ETV will amplify the voices and efforts of Village members and organizations equally committed to restoring Prosperity, Peace and political Power to the Black community. Yours in power, As with all things, we are humbled that the support we have received has helped make this social enterprise a success, and hope we may count on your continued support and generosity in 2022! 03
CHERYL R. EASLEY Executive Director ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Our 2021 Impact
By the Numbers
10 Village Black Pages Directories Published
25+ Strategic Village Partnerships Established
~800 New Village Community Members
2,000+ People Vaccinated & Tested
15,000+ Black-owned Businesses Listed In VBP
$450,000+ Cash & In-kind Contributions
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Leadership Team
Board of Directors
Paula Tuffin Board Chair
Perri Richman
Sandye Taylor
Allyson Hugley
Wanda Sims
Dara Sanderson
Michele Meyer-Shipp
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Advisory Council
Joy Alafia
Terri Borden
Jessica Colon
Jack Cox
Rhonda Crichlow
Jennifer DaSilva
William Jiggetts
Mikeisha Anderson Jones
Tammye Jones
Taynaya Lee
Antoinette Rowe 06
Bonnie Carter
Kimberly MacKay
Nikki Sumpter
Helen Mazarakis
Denelle Waynick
Jillian White ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Ayo Sanderson Wilson
Shannon Prevatt
Ethan Assefa Orhan Rahaman-Cam Perri Easley Nnenna Ezera
Cheryl Easley
George Dredden, III
Sabrina House Alyssa Ince Renee Jones Reginald Lawson Curille McKenna
Alexandra Stennett Nina Slowinski Alina Smith Taj Wilson
Joshua Haynes - Priceless Moments Chandler Prevatt - ELIFT Creations Andrea Turner - Swivel Works
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
ETV Timeline 2021 ETV Events and Initiatives . . .
We've Been Busy... 4Flavors Gallery Special Event
Women's History + Black Queen Magic Month Campaign Black History + Empowerment Month Campaign
Black Business + Empowerment Month Campaign
Black Friday Challenge Pilot Stop The Spread Vaccine Initiatives
"For The Love of Art" Juneteenth Art Festival
Our Breakthrough Social Media Campaigns... February: Black History + Empowerment Month March: Women's History + Black Queen Magic Month
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
ETV Timeline 2021 ETV Events and Initiatives . . .
... & The Village Has Noticed!
10 Village Black Pages Published Empower With Popcorn Fundraiser
Kwanzaa Education Campaign
Giving Tuesday Fundraiser Operation: Ballot Box
Holiday Gift Guide
...Have Garnered A Lot of Attention! August: Black Business + Empowerment Month October: Afro-Latinx Heritage Month
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Empower The Village Strategic Pillars
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Economic Prosperity Click a box below or scan the QR code to learn more about our Economic Prosperity initiatives!
Powered By
TM
Imagine what could happen if the money you spent this Friday supported Black-owned Businesses...
Support Black Business Support Black Families Support the Black Community
Find, Nominate & Support Black-Owned Businesses utilizing our State Directories!
What could happen if you did that at least every Friday...
Fun Fact: 1 out of every 7 days is a Friday SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
Fun Fact: 1 out of every 7 Americans is Black
TM
TM
ETV’s fun challenges enable recirculation of dollars in the Black community! Expert business counseling for Black entrepreneurs, networking opportunities & access to online TIME IS MONEY!
courses needed to survive and thrive!
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Economic Prosperity Our goals are to increase Black Prosperity, Generational Wealth, Strengthen and Grow Businesses & Prepare Black Americans for 21st Century Opportunities.
Our movement and multi-platform awareness campaign encourages all Americans interested in racial equity to take action to close the wealth gap between Black Americans and other Americans.
$1.2 TRILLION The US Black community's buying power is ~$1.2 Trillion!
The net worth of White Americans is ~10X greater than that of Black Americans.
There are 2.6+ million Black businesses in the U.S!
Black women are starting businesses at a faster rate than any other group!
CLOSED 41% of Black small businesses were forced to close temporarily or permanently due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
~5% of Existing Black-owned businesses have created over 1 million jobs!
95% of Black-owned businesses are nonemployer businesses. 101% average increase in annual revenue after hiring the 1st employee
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Economic Prosperity
ETV's Village Black Pages™ (VBP) is a critical resource Americans can rely on to locate Black-owned businesses to support when responding to our charge to Make Every Friday, Black Friday™! Our goal is to elevate the overall prosperity of the Black community by promoting commerce. ETV is already promoting 15,000+ businesses for free!
We have published 10 VBP directories to date, with more on the way! Black-owned businesses featured in our VBPs have everything you need across 30 business categories. Consumers are encouraged to nominate Black-owned businesses to expand the number of businesses supported by The Village.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Economic Prosperity This May, ETV launched a spirited 30-day competition that encouraged participants to support as many Black-owned businesses as possible! ETV’s Black Friday Challenge™ (BFC) is a fun way to measure your impact while supporting our ETV mission to empower Black-owned Businesses! Corporations, organizations, and groups can partner with ETV to accelerate its Make Every Friday, Black Friday (MEF/BF) movement by participating in the BFC Ready, Set, Shop!, Nominations Challenge, or Power Bingo today!
Special Thanks to Our Village Partners Who Have Participated!
For more details, email: bfchallenge@empowerthevillage.org 14
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Economic Prosperity Village Empowerment Network Build Generational Wealth
ETV's Village Empowerment Network™ provides the expertise Black entrepreneurs and families need to thrive. Black business owners can receive one-on-one strategy, planning, and technical counseling
Andrew Frazier, Business Growth Pro & CFO
from experts to grow revenue, access funding, manage employees and expenses, protect assets, and expand their network. ETV will also offer access to online, on-demand training workshops designed to ensure entrepreneurs and families can learn
Village Partners who helped us pilot
and access the information they need
VEN! These organizations & others
at their own pace to build
will counsel small businesses as we
generational wealth. 15
Special thanks to these esteemed
launch the full program in 2022!
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Health & Wellness Our Empower The Village goal is healthier, more peaceful, longer lives for Black individuals and families.
Knowledge Is Power! ETV's mantra! We were pleased to partner with community leaders and organizations to bring COVID-19 education, awareness, testing, and vaccinations to the heart of the Black community in NJ/NY metro.
COVID-19 Testing & Education
Stop The Spread Vaccine Event
ETV partnered with Calvary
ETV's Stop The Spread Campaign
Baptist Church, Zufall Health,
helped hundreds of people navigate
and the Sigma Zeta Lambda
the vaccine registration portals in NJ
Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha
& NY and culminated with the April
Fraternity, Inc. to bring peace of
2nd Stop The Spread Event, in
mind to the community by
partnership with Zufall Health,
offering several COVID-19 testing
Church of God and Christ in
and virus education events, one of
Morristown, and the SZL Chapter of
which offered free flu shots.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Over 700 people served! ETV Leadership participated in community conversations with Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and other leaders about the impact of COVID-19 and advocated for more resources for the Black community. Click here to learn more. 16
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Policy & Power Operation: Ballot Box was launched in 2020 to spread information on how and where to vote safely and simply during the presidential election.
Operation: Ballot Box
Powered By
ETV played a role in driving record-breaking Black turnout for the 2020 election and our engagement continued for the 2021 special elections in key states during a period of COVID-19 fear and voter confusion, suppression, and misinformation.
The 2021 Special Elections were rife with COVID and voter suppression challenges. ETV continued this initiative by providing accurate information ETV launched a newsletter to keep The Village informed about important news, events,
for the communitites to vote safely. Mission Accomplished!
initiatives, and opportunities. 17
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Education & Employment The Village Strivers program, an academic and cultural enrichment initiative coupled with employment opportunities for community members, levels the playing field and creates a win-win for Black students and job seekers.
Support The Linda D. Murphy Village Strivers Scholarship Fund Morristown Educator, Non-profit Executive, and Community Leader, the late Linda D. Murphy, was the inspiration for ETV’s Village Strivers program. She brought her passion and commitment to youth to ETV, where she was instrumental to the vision and direction of our Village Strivers program. ETV is proud to have created The Linda D. Murphy Village Strivers Scholarship Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of New Jersey, to help seed the college aspirations of deserving high school students who show academic improvement by awarding them a scholarship in honor of Linda Murphy’s exemplary life.
Students who receive tutoring are 31% more likely to graduate from high school than students who do not receive tutoring. Those who cannot afford tutoring are at a disadvantage. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the preexisting academic achievement gaps of Black students.
Click Here to Learn More About ETV's Village Strivers™
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Community Outreach Special Events 19
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
"Stop The Spread" Vaccine Event Empower The Village, Inc. (ETV) partnered with Zufall Health & the Sigma Zeta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to offer 100+ doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, April 2, 2021 at COGIC in Morristown.
Zufall Health staff enroll participants. Over 100 vaccine doses were administered!
L to R: Mark Wilson (AΦA) & Marc Turner (AΦA)
L to R: Rev. Robert Rogers, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Ayo Sanderson Wilson (ETV), Eva Turbiner (Zufall Health)
L to R: Cheryl Easley (ETV), Todd Easley (AΦA), Mark Wilson (AΦA), Ayo Sanderson Wilson (ETV)
Black Leaders Roundtable event with Rep. Mikie Sherrill
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
"For The Love of Art" Juneteenth Festival Artist = Entrepreneur From oil and acrylic to graphite pencil, sculpture, and mixed media, the 21 artists featured in our "For the Love of Art" fundraiser represent the breadth of Black artistic excellence with 100+ works of art!
Juneteenth Artists Mason Archie BAi Gabrielle Baker Anthony Boone Aleathia Brown Robert Carter Earlene Hardie Cox William Daniels Anthony Gartmond Wilhelmina Grant Curtis Grayson Jimmy James Greene
Kortez Melanie McAllister Demarcus McGaughey Taeesha Muhammad Rosalind "N'Zinga" Nichol Will Porter Ronald Ritzie Danielle Scott William Torbert Click below for more info on our 2022 Juneteenth Celebration!
ETV conducted its third and most successful "For The Love of Art" Show at the Montclair Art Museum, celebrating Juneteenth and 21
Father's Day 2021!
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
"For The Love of Art" Juneteenth Festival Artist = Entrepreneur
For The Love of Art Sponsors & Partners Thank you to our generous "For The Love of Art" Sponsors for your
Thank you to make our generous Thank contributions to help this event a tremendous success! "For The Love of Art" Sponsors
you to our "For The Love
of Art" Community Partners
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor Contemporary Ladies Book Club
Bronze Sponsors
African American Cultural Committee @ MAM Kente Royal Gallery Owner, Dodji Gbedemah Martin Little Catering Priceless Moments Photography The James Gibbs Band
Bonnie and Michael Carter Donna Lawson 22
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
"For The Love of Art" Festival Photos
Author Andrew Frazier behind the booth
L to R: Tammye Jones, Dara Sanderson, Ayo Wilson, Kim Mackay, Sandye Taylor
L to R: Susan Johnson and Kelly Jackson Art from Anthony Boone & Kortez
Dodji Gbedemah, owner of Kente Royal Gallery
Art from Anthony Gartmond & Demarcus McGaughey
Art from Kortez
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The incredible Shannon Prevatt
Art from Wilhelmina Grant (front) & Gabrielle Baker (back)
L to R: Todd Easley, Franklin Williams, George Dredden, Dean Burrell, Mark Wilson
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
4 Flavors Art Gallery: Artist Talk-Back with Robin Holder Encore! Encore! On the heels of ETV’s successful Juneteenth art show, we collaborated with Village member, Heather Carter, co-owner of 4 Flavors Art Gallery, for an elegant reception and artist talkback, at their/her Upper Montclair location. Nationally renowned artist, Robin Holder, addressed the finer points about collecting Black art, and mingled with the crowd of art collectors and enthusiasts, for a lovely summer evening of cocktails and cultural expression. ETV’s CEO Ayo Sanderson Wilson emphasized the entrepreneurial spirit of artists, and Art Patrons supported ETV's second art show of summer 2021
reaffirmed ETV’s support of and continued commitment to the Black arts community. Proceeds from the evening, including sales of works from both Ms. Holder and other celebrated artist, Mason Archie, benefitted the continued good works of ETV.
Artist Mason Archie
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
ETV had the good fortune of conducting another highly successful fundraising event in 2021! Our motivated team, Board, and Advisory Council members, engaged in a friendly competition to sell this season’s most tasty and sales-worthy treat, to benefit ETV. We collectively and gratefully benefitted from well over 200 supporters and exceeded our fundraising goal! Furthermore, supporters also had the opportunity to donate popcorn to the clientele of two deserving Village nonprofit organizations: Homeless Solutions of Morristown, as well as Bethel Church's Table of Hope Soup Kitchen. Fundraising has never been so delicious!
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
ETV's Appearances, Media Outreach & Interviews
ETV expanded our community visibility and media presence this year, and made quite a splash! From rubbing elbows with the political elite and high profile media figures on Martha’s Vineyard, to engaging interviewers on radio programs and podcasts, we made noteworthy inroads in the Village! ETV's Ayo Wilson & House Whip Rep. James Clyburn (D - SC)
The View's Sunny Hostin & ETV's Ayo Wilson
ETV Merchandise In 2021, to spread the word about ETV's movement, we designed cool paraphernalia for The Village!
Click here or scan below to support the Village by getting some exciting new merch!
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Our Financials Viability, Sustainability & Growth 28
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Financial Summary Total 2021 Revenue: $472,923.61 Cash Revenue: $404,596.11 In-Kind Donations: $68,327.50 Expenses: $248,431.41* *Reduced expenses due to COVID-related delays
FOUNDATION DONORS
(29.2%) INDIVIDUAL DONORS CORPORATE DONORS
(55.8%)
(15%)
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Empower The Village Donors Corporate Founder's Circle ($10,000 - $100,000+)
ETV would like to extend our thanks to our Founder's Circle donors for their generous contributions to advance the mission of Empower The Village, Inc.
PLATINUM
BRONZE
GOLD
Founder's Circle ($5,000 - $25,000+)
PLATINUM
GOLD
Denelle Waynick
Bonnie & Michael Carter Ayo Sanderson Wilson & Mark Wilson
SILVER Terri & Bill Borden Cheryl & Todd Easley Allyson Hugley Dara Sanderson
BRONZE Rhonda & David Crichlow Jennifer DaSilva Michellene Davis Kimberly & Craig MacKay
Kimberly Monroe Antoinette Rowe Debra Sandler Michele Meyer-Shipp
Sandra Smith Paula Tuffin Kim & Finn Wentworth Sozosei Community Foundation Fund
Corporate Ambassador ($5,000 - $9,999)
ETV would like to extend our thanks to our Corporate Ambassadors for their generous contributions to advance the mission of Empower The Village, Inc.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Empower The Village Donors Village Ambassador ($1,000 - $4,999)
ETV would like to extend our thanks to our Corporate Ambassadors for their generous contributions to advance the mission of Empower The Village, Inc.
Shawn Austin & Jennifer Jones-Austin Dr. Judy Banks Sekema Byrd Karl Charles-Pierre Sondra Clark Jessica Colon Contemporary Ladies Book Club John Cox Kimberley Goode
Village Leader ($500 - $999)
Zenola Harper William Jiggetts Mikeisha Anderson Jones Tammye & David Jones Donna Lawson Taynaya & Bakari Lee Helen Mazarakis Randall McMillan Deryck Palmer/ West Lane Partners
Point B. Realty Perri & Chad Richman Beth Stewart Nikki Sumpter Sandye Taylor Slack Technologies The Graddick-Weir Family Fund Jillian White Kendra Williams Jana Wilson
Village Supporter ($100 -$499)
Royalynne Hunter Dr. Vina Isaac Kelly Jackson Marguerite Smith & Reba Blake Edward & Joanne Johnson George Dredden Michelle Blanchfield Castleigh Johnson Dodji Gbedemah Donna Boles Susan Johnson Dr. Lisa Gittens-Williams Crystal & Chris Broussard Mic Jones Depository Trust & Clearing Corp Earl Brown Donita Judge Alison Jackson Sanderal Brown Gary Kelley Hector Mislavsky Sue Buckner Kellie Kenol Gina Simms Dean Burrell Alice Korngold Wanda Sims Charlynne Carson Lester Taylor Foundation Alexandra Stennett Heather Carter Rachel Lokken Suha Uddin Curtis Cheatham Jr Paula Magnus Ira Wagner Brittani Chirichella Dr. Stacy Reed Mevs Jessie Clairvil Village Supporter Douglas Mitchell/Law Offices John Czap ($100 -$499) Hope Mitchell Dr. Jeanine Downie Brian Agnew Maria Johnson-Moise Elizabeth Ezera Joy Alafia Holly Newman Warachal Faison James Anderson Dina Foster-Osbourne Melandy Franklin Robin Baker Cheryl Outlaw Andrew Frazier Arlene Bascom Marjorie Rich Claudia Hamlett Carlaina Bell Lyneir Richardson Toni Hendrix Celeste Bell Dr. Icilma Fergus Rowe Laura Hertzog BlackBaud Carey Hines & Charlee Taylor Hines Gwen Jefferson Skinner Andre Blake 31
Tanya Holcomb
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Empower The Village Donors Thank you for your support of the ETV mission! Village Supporter ($100 -$499)
Village Member ($25 - $49)
Jane Slater Alan Smith Gloria Swan The Doherty Family Fund Marcus Thomas Andrea Turner Diane Whitt Wally Yosafat Kathryn Zeno Anonymous
Anupa Charles-Pierre Kimberly Davis Michael Easley Alexa Keckler Heleena McKinney Terry Mena Alieke Parrish Osei Poku Shan Prevatt Abigail Remore Phaedra Ruddock Trish Stephens Marianna Wicks Anonymous
Village Patron ($50 - $99) Pier Blake Hans Dekker Jacqueline Easley Maria Frio Shirley Holcomb Gail Lawrence Roberta Moseley Janae Quinones Alex Rufer John Sanderson Kiah Sandler Shelby Sandstrom Gina Jacobs-Strain
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Early Bird Special for the First 50 Registrants! Click here to purchase your ticket today!
General Ticket Pricing SINGLE GOLFER: $395 FOURSOMES: $1,500 GOLF CLINIC: $295 MEMBER FOR A DAY: $395 (Includes All Meals & Gift Bag)
DINNER ONLY: $125
Get Involved! Visit our website, reach out via email or follow us on IG, FB and Twitter. Learn about how you can help ETV support the Black community! Click below!
Thank You!
empowerthevillage.org info@empowerthevillage.org @empoweretv @empower_etv
ETV needs your financial support to achieve its mission to Restore Prosperity, Peace, & Power to the Black community in partnership with The Village.
Donate Now 33
ANNUAL REPORT 2021