How Black Women Influenced the Junior League of Charlotte

By: Briana Rinaldo

Since 1926, the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) has been a haven for friendship, professional development and community service in the Charlotte community. In recent history, however, the League has become more inclusive than ever, namely through the involvement and achievements of Black women joining — and leading — the League.

To celebrate our rich Black history, we spoke with Black League members who provided some perspective on the Black history of JLC.

Service

Service has been, and continues to be, a strongly-held tenant across the Black community. JLC President-Elect Jonell Logan asserts there is a strong sense of philanthropy in Black families, including her own. “It ranges from the church, grassroots organizations and our homes,” Jonell says, adding, “I think the JLC is a piece of that philanthropic journey.”

The first Black woman to join the JLC was Pat Heard in 1977. Since she joined, the League has seen a rise in Black membership and, thus, representation in the Charlotte community. Based on JLC’s current priority areas, a large number of residents self-identify as Black or African American (28205: 29.6 percent, 28206: 47.2 percent, 28208: 47.9 percent, 28212: 33.2 percent, 28216: 48.2 percent, 28217: 32.8 percent), so seeing people who look like them in positions of leadership and service provides more than funds, goods and acts. Representation provides the vision for Black youth to see that they can give back to better themselves and their community. Pat joining 46 years ago kicked off decades of Black women expanding their network of service and bringing their stories and experience directly back to the community.

“We have to tell our own stories and see ourselves in our own community,” Jonell says. “Through direct service, we can teach our kids about the value of our communities so they can learn to serve as well.”

Leadership

Since 1977, Black women have stepped up and into leadership roles across the League. The League’s first Black president, Toni Freeman, took office in 2003 after years of connection with and leadership from Black members. “When Toni became the first Black President we were thrilled,” remembers current JLC Sustainer, Linda Lockman-Brooks. “That wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t started coming together and talking about the barriers that needed to come down — and we made it happen.”

Black Presidents of the League:

2003-2004: Toni Freeman

2007-2008: Antoinette “Twan” Crawford

2012-2013: Whitni Wilson-Wertz

2015-2016: Lisa Johnson

2020-2021: Charlitta Hatch

2021-2022: Kellie Lofton

2023-2024: Jonell Logan

Once part of the League, Black women find leadership opportunities everywhere. Former President Charlitta Hatch remembers being in League leadership roles consistently for the past 15 years. “I saw representation in key roles where Black women had a voice and I wanted to make sure I was carrying the torch,” she says. “DE&I has always been part of the League strategy, so to see us now assert we are an anti-racist organization shows we are true champions of DE&I, that our leadership has truly meant something.”

Uplifting

A throughline among Black women is the tenant of sisterhood. Whether it’s through the church, a sorority or a community organization, Black women always look for ways to support one another. JLC Sustainer and Judge Rickye McKoy-Mitchell remembers joining during the days when you needed multiple sponsors to enter the League. “I didn’t know enough people yet, but the active Black members took me in and told me, ‘It’s okay, we’re going to get you what you need.’”

Once they began joining the League, Black members hosted their own mixers, dinner parties and other social events to connect potential members with sponsors. Such activity and feedback led the League to amend the sponsorship requirement to one, but that outreach and those connections continue to this day.

“I was young and hungry and wanted to do everything,” remembers VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Tifferney White. “I saw a job opportunity open up out of state and three of my League sisters made phone calls — I had a job shortly thereafter.” This sort of sisterhood is part of what makes the League. The collective work to uplift each other knows no limit or age and even continues beyond active League membership. “What has been wonderful is that you all have not forgotten about us,” remarks Judge McKoy-Mitchell. “My sisters have made me proud and kept me in the loop on projects. It’s wonderful.”

Promoting Change

The League has been on a diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) journey long before many organizations and companies in the Charlotte area. The JLC first began seriously documenting a focus on DE&I in the early 1990s with a concerted effort to increase member diversity and representation. This was followed by a diversity vision statement and Diversity Action Plan taking shape in the mid-1990s. A focus on leadership came in the early 2000s, with an emphasis on diversity workshops for leaders, culminating in our first Black President: Toni Freeman.

“We can’t forget that Toni becoming the first Black President came after years of hard work,” remembers Linda. “We’re fortunate, though, that all of us in the League seemed to understand inclusion back then — we just didn’t call it that yet.”

There also were initially age limits to remain in the League. Linda recalls that the age cap was in the 30s when she joined and she was among the women making a case for pushing it back or eliminating it. “I told them you are missing us!” Linda says. “Black women spend so many of our formative years setting up our lives and careers, we may not have time to join the League until our 30s and then it’s too late.” Removing barriers like this allowed for more representation in the League, especially among Black women.

In 2021, a formal DE&I Committee was formed after years of work from a DE&I Task Force. Committee Member Mary Behler describes the work as “advisory in many ways, educational in others.” The committee now hosts events and opportunities for members to grow, learn and provide feedback. “The committee also seeks to understand what we should be doing or highlighting,” Mary says. “Hearing from members about what’s important to them drives a lot of our work.”

Looking Ahead

Linda remembers in the early-2000s, Pat Heard returned to the League for an event after being away for some time. “She was thrilled,” Linda remembers. “That’s when things really started to gel — we’re doing it.”

We’ve come a long way and we have so much more work to do. The DE&I Committee spearheads much of this work today through its four overarching goals:

1. Attract and retain a committed membership with a desire to work in an inclusive and respectful manner with one another and with the Charlotte community.

2. Have a membership broadly reflective of the Charlotte Community.

3. Create trainings, processes, policies, plans and programs that meet the diverse needs of the JLC’s membership.

4. Identify and address barriers to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within current organizational systems.

DE&I Committee Chief Sherri Belfield says the DE&I Committee hopes to weave DE&I into everything the League does. “It isn’t intended to be a standalone group,” Sherri says, “but a group to ensure DE&I reaches into our committees, programming, trainings and members.” After the committee’s official start in the 2021-2022 League year, the DE&I Committee has:

• Worked with the finance committee to make dues and the fundraising model more accessible

• Partnered with the Community Impact Council to make the application process more inclusive

• Hired an outside consultant to provide trainings for board members, as well as the DE&I and Nominating Committees

• Ensured the Presidents keep diverse Community Advisory Board members

• Worked to ensure the JLC staff received DE&I training in some capacity

The work is energizing and exciting and provides so much potential for all League members. “The diversity and inclusion will continue to make us stronger,” Sherri continues, “and I think that as we continue moving forward, the work is going to get easier and become more organic - that’s the point!”

DE&I Efforts Through the Years

1976

Raised the age cap to 35

1993

Documented focus on diversity through HR Council and a membership push

1995

Created a diversity vision statement and a Diversity Action Plan, which was taken into the the overall Strategic Plan

1998-2000

JLC attends diversity workshops and actively looking at diversity in leadership

2017

Implemented Equity Impact Circles and strengthened affinity groups

2003

JLC names first Black president

2020

Joined AJLI in becoming an antiracist organization

2021

First official JLC DE&I committee begins work

As we remember the history of the League, we have to celebrate the contributions of our Black members and look to their experiences to guide us into the future. Beyond uplifting one another, many women remarked how we can always do better to represent other marginalized groups: different ethnicities, sexualities, gender expressions, abilities and so many more. There is no doubt that this League is up to the task.

As far as the future, there is an overwhelming feeling of joy and hope from the Black community in the League. We’ll let them speak to those feelings themselves:

“ I think as organizations, we have to change and be flexible enough to move people in the direction we all want to go. What we used to do may not work for women in the future. I’m glad to be part of an organization that knows that and understands how to move with its members and society.” —

Sherri Johnson, Board of Directors Member at Large

“ Sometimes women of color don’t have the advantage that other women do when it comes to professional development. That’s where the Junior League comes in. There aren’t many other organizations this size where you have the opportunity to serve in the leadership capacity that can be equivalent to a nonprofit corporate experience. The League is positioning women for opportunity, and I’m excited to see what comes next for us.”

— Dr. Monique Perry-Graves, Sustainer

“ So many women have paved the way for me in this organization and it comes so naturally. We find joy in uplifting one another. I’m so thankful that we can keep doing so for years to come.” —

Kellie Lofton, 2021-2022 JLC President

“ We’ve done great work over the years and it stands on its own. A lot of times, DE&I is out-of-sight, out-ofmind, so there’s always room for improvement and opportunity for change. But we’re doing good work and we should be proud.” —

Tanitra Seibles, DE&I Committee Member

“ There’s so much going on politically and economically right now. I think, in Charlotte, we are seeing amazing women step up and lead to build a world that we want — all the while not letting anyone fall behind us.”

— Jonell Logan, 2022-2023 President-Elect

“ Beyond DE&I is intersectionality. All of us have more than one identity, right? I’m not just a Black woman, I’m a Black woman made up of so much more. I think as we move on, we’re going to see this intersectionality help us grow more inclusive of women from all backgrounds.” — Sherri

Belfield, DE&I Committee Chief

“ I think the League has done a massive job rebranding who we are and keeping the organization relevant. I imagine that we will continue to be an organization where Black women can find their home. I only see the League growing more representative of our community.” —

Charlitta Hatch, 2020-2021 JLC President