For Immediate Release
Contact: Cheryl R. Easley, Executive Director
February 23, 2022
info@empowerthevillage.org
“EMPOWER THE VILLAGE” SAYS BLACK HISTORY MONTH SHOULD BE A PRELUDE TO A YEAR-LONG COMMITMENT TO BLACK EQUITY AND EMPOWERMENT Non-Profit Joins Panel To Broaden Discussion on Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome’s Connection to Eliminating the Racial Wealth Gap February 23, 2022 - Morristown, New Jersey – Black History Month should be a prelude to Black empowerment and equity according to “Empower The Village,” a non-profit 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, which has led to ETV’s co-sponsorship and participation in a virtual program on Thursday. Empower The Village (ETV) Founder Ayo Sanderson Wilson will join other panelists to discuss Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome and its connection to eliminating the racial wealth gap on Thursday, February 24 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. You can register for the virtual program by clicking this link. Ms. Sanderson Wilson will be participating with others in the virtual panel discussion entitled, “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome? (PTSS) Reframing the Narrative.” The discussion is an important step toward addressing three areas of concern to Black Americans - Economic Empowerment, Positivity of Blackness and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Is it Working for Us? The discussion is being presented by the MLK Observance Committee in collaboration with the African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ and The Golden Years Ministry of Calvary Baptist Church of Morristown. Participating in the panel with Ms. Sanderson Wilson are Seton Hall University Professor Forrest Pritchett, County College of Morris Professor John Williford and Shirley Holcomb from the Calvary Baptist Church, Golden Years Ministry. The panel will be moderated by Ferlanda Nixon, Esq. of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. Ms. Sanderson Wilson said, "Black History (& Empowerment) Month is a perfect time to deepen the dialogue and determine a course of action to address "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome" and how it, as well as intentionally harmful U.S. policies and practices, have contributed to the racial wealth gap in America. This session will also serve as a call to individual and collective action that accelerates progress for the Black community." According to Ms. Sanderson Wilson her focus on the panel will be rooted in economic empowerment and the historical impacts of U.S. federal and state laws and policy and PTSS on the current disparities and challenges
we face economically. The panel will educate/unpack the facts, data and laws that have led to the situation we find ourselves in now and open the door to solutions. While the panel is being held during February as part of Black History Month, the goal is to identify solutions and strategies for people to reinvest in the Black community not just in February, but year-round. Ms. Sanderson Wilson said this is the perfect time to join the Empower The Village (ETV) movement to “Make Every Friday, Black Friday” with routine support of Black-owned businesses, utilize our Village Black Pages business directories and register to join our Village Empowerment Network for free expert counseling and training to build generational wealth. ETV said they have adopted a “partner & prosper” approach to overcoming the “divide & conquer” trap that has been allowed to consume Black psyche and Black life. Ms. Sanderson Wilson said, “Our goal is to restore Peace, Prosperity and Power to our daily lives.” ### Empower The Village (ETV) is a data driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018. ETV is focused on restoring Prosperity, Peace, and Power to the Black community by strategically partnering with “Village” leaders and allies to empower Black people, businesses, and community organizations to realize their full potential. For more information on Empower The Village or to make a donation, please visit the website www.empowerthevillage.org and follow ETV on social media: Facebook @empoweretv, Instagram and Twitter @empower_etv, or LinkedIn @ Empower The Village.