DearETVFriends&Supporters,
EmpowerTheVillage(ETV)doubleddownonitscommitmenttoadvancetheWealth,Health&Empowermentofthe communitiesweserve,andweoweagreatdealofoursuccesstogeneroussupporterslikeyou!In2023,weenhancedand expandedexistingprograms,andlaunchednewinitiativesandeventstoaccelerateourimpactacrossall3ETVpillars–Prosperity, Peace,andPower
Inaddition,wecelebratedour5thAnniversaryinJune2023 Now,therealworkbeginstosuperchargethenext5yearswithyour help.ETV’sAnnualSpringGivingCampaignfromMarch15toApril30offersindividualslikeyoutheopportunitytoEmpower TheVillage.Youcandoubletheimpactofyourtax-deductibledonationtoETVbecausegenerousanonymousdonorshave pledgedto100%matchcontributionsmadeduringthecampaignperiod Youmayevenbeabletotripletheimpactofyour donationsifyou(oryourspouse/partner)workatacompanythatoffersacorporatematch
Whileitisimportanttocelebratetheprogressofourmovement,itisalsocriticalthatweaddresstheimpactoftheunrelenting attacksonDEIeffortsandsupportersoforganizationslikeETV Bottomline:ItwilltakeeverymemberofourVillage–thosewho believeinracialequity,economicandsocialjustice,andETV’smission-investingevenmoreoftheirtime,talentandtreasureto ensureabrightfutureforETV.
TheracialwealthandhealthgapsforBlackAmericanscontinuedtowidenwiththepandemicexacerbatingthosechallenges. However,themorerecentassaultsonDEIeffortscouldhaveevenmoredevastatingandlong-termimpactsonETV’sprogressand goals Therefore,weneedyoutoconsiderwhatmoreyoucandotoinvestinabrighterfutureforourcountryandtoensurea morejustandequalsocietywhereallAmericanshavetheopportunitytoflourish
Ourworktodatehasbeenfocusedonbuildingafoundationforourvisiontoensurethatcommunitymembersrealizetheirfull potentialthroughthedevelopmentofscalableprogramsthatcanbesuccessfullyimplementedacrossour25-statefootprint,and wearewellonourwaytoachievingthatgoal.Wehavenowfullydefinedourprogrammaticframeworkunderall3pillars,andthe long-termimpactsweintendtomakeaspartofourstrategicplan
Our2023AnnualReportsummarizeswinsworthcelebrating,butwehavemuchmoretodo!Belowarejustafewhighlights resultingfromourinnovativeandimpactfulprogramsandevents,andsomeofourgoalstoincreaseimpactin2024andbeyond withyoursupport:
ProsperityPillarPrograms
ETV’sVillageEmpowermentNetwork(VEN)programparticipationgrew500%YOYwith109businessesandfamiliesreceiving expertbusinessandfinancialcounselingandwehopetodoublethatnumberwithinthenextyear
OurVillageBlackPages(VBP)businessdirectoriessawa147%YOYincreaseinvisitsbyconsumers.Weplantoincrease utilizationanddoublethenumberoffreebusinesslistingsinourtri-statedirectories(NJ/NY/CT)within12months.
AtourFebruary2024Expo,weincreasedattendance,andthenumberofregisteredvendorsgrewfrom31in2023to53,with one-dayearnedrevenuecloseto$47,000includingasizeableVillageVenturesbusinesspitchawardsincrease
Programs
ETV’s Inaugural Power Walk for Mental Health had more than 175 participants investing in their emotional and physical wellbeing in New Jersey and beyond while raising funds to help others We plan to grow that number by 50% in 2024
We introduced our new Village Assist Program focused on the mental health of our communities, connecting them to culturally competent, high-quality, licensed mental health providers and affordable care In January 2024, we launched our first Community Healing Circle with a cohort of women, and it is already receiving rave reviews Over the next 24 months, we plan to accelerate implementation of more Community Healing Circles for women, men, youth, and couples and publish our Community Wellness edition of the VBP to make finding Black wellness professionals easier.
Our ‘For the Love of Art’ Juneteenth Celebration that uplifts and convenes the community while celebrating freedom continues to grow! We had 34 Black artists participate in 2023, showcased over 100 pieces, sold 50 works of art and significantly increased the payout to artists. This year, we plan to incorporate a pre-event workshop to support artists as solopreneurs and provide more opportunities and benefits to our creative community
Power Pillar Programs
ETV’s Operation: Ballot Box initiative in 2023 helped to increase Black voter education and mobilization across 8 states and will be strategically expanded to 15 states in 2024 to ensure robust turnout during this critical election cycle
We continued to “walk the talk” in 2023 by re-investing more than $325,000+ in Black-owned businesses, Black-led community-focused programs and organizations and dozens of creative entrepreneurs and artists across the country
ETV has made significant strides toward achieving our mission to empower community members to achieve their full potential The results would not have been possible without the support and full engagement of our Village, and we hope to be able to continue making such an impact in 2024
As you contemplate the many causes and organizations you may choose to benefit from your charitable dollars, we hope that ETV remains a priority for your support. Please scan the QR below or visit our website to make your tax-deductible contribution today! You can also mail a check to ETV’s mailing address above. Email questions to admin@empowerthevillage.org for assistance Visit the About page of our website at www empowerthevillage org if you’d like to view our financial reports
We are exceedingly grateful for your generous support as it makes our successes even sweeter as we continue to triumph over adversity
With gratitude,
AYO
SANDERSON WILSON
FOUNDER & CEO