The JLC and the Pursuit of Social Justice

by Shellisa Multrie

2020 has seen its fair share of challenges. The country rang in a new decade, but was quickly overtaken by the COVID-19 pandemic. While stuck at home, the country then watched the back-to-back deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Their deaths sent shockwaves through our nation. It forced many Americans to face an uncomfortable truth about racial inequity and unequal justice in America. Calls for change followed in the days, weeks, and months to come. Those calls, still being echoed today.

JLC Leadership Speaks Out

When organizations, companies and even local governments grappled with the right approach to take, the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) spoke out as an ally. The JLC published supportive messages and developed early action steps for JLC members who wanted to help. Days after the incoming 2020- 21 JLC Board of Directors were installed, they sent a collective message to the the JLC:

League Leaders, we cannot stay silent and sit on the sidelines watching as our community feels the heaviness of grief.

As an organization that believes in building better communities and strives for leadership excellence, many of us have asked what we can do.

Junior League women are trained to be civic leaders in our communities. It is time to use our training to improve our communities through effective action and leadership. We must do the work. We must be willing to be humiliated and vulnerable. We must speak out and we must be visible. We must know when to be quiet and listen. And equally important, when to speak up.

To our JLC Women of Color, we stand united with you. We are here to listen and ready to engage in difficult conversations.

Action items announced included the continuation of the Diversity and Inclusion sub-committee. The JLC Board of Directors committed to partner with the sub-committee on a strategic direction for the League. Additionally, the Board and Management Team provided resources, including videos, articles and books to educate members and their families.

The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) also proclaimed its support of diversity, equity and inclusion. They outlined next steps to implement a 21 Day Racial Equity Challenge and extend funding for innovative D&I programming.

JLC Members Take Part in Community Events

In June, several JLC members and their families participated in the Black Mamas March to help celebrate and defend the lives of Black people. This community event attracted almost 400 people. Although not a JLC-sponsored event, many members attended, including Charlotte Mayor and JLC Sustainer, Vi Lyles.

Many JLC members signed the Charlotte Black Upward Mobility & Restorative Justice Resolution, which outlines commitments for the City of Charlotte to actively work to heal and transform while acknowledging past trauma.

During the months that followed, the JLC shared encouraging words and community events on the members only Facebook group as well as the JLC Women of Color & Allies group.

The first JLC-sponsored event was a listening session featuring Pat Heard, the first Black JLC member, and Toni Freeman, the first Black President of the JLC. A second event, “Status: It’s Complicated,” featured a powerful set of panelists who discussed the power and evolving alliance of Women of Color and non-Women of Color in the workplace. Both events offered meaningful dialogue and “food for thought” for participants.

“It has been a privilege to facilitate and convene courageous, yet necessary conversations in support of the JLC’s mission and social justice. This work is a continuum that requires the unrelenting focus and commitment of leaders for systematic progress to occur. Rev. Dr. Bernice King states that “justice is a continuum”, and I am happy to see the JLC moving in the direction we need to in alignment with our community and our mission.” - Monique Perry-Graves, JLC Women of Color Affinity Group

What’s next?

The Diversity and Inclusion Board Subcommittee plans to continue with events to educate and promote engagement. League members also voted to create new roles of Chief of Diversity and Inclusion and Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion. These roles will sit on the Board of Directors and Management Team, respectively, and will lead the new Diversity and Inclusion Committee starting in the 2021- 2022 League year. “Membership’s decision to include these roles in leadership underlines decades of time, energy and research the JLC has poured into advancing diversity and inclusion both here in Charlotte and within the Junior League,” said Diversity and Inclusion Board Subcommittee Co-Chair Claire Magee Ferguson. “Our efforts have bolstered the JLC’s commitment to inclusive environments of diverse individuals across racial, generational, religious, sexual orientation, ethnic and ability spectrums. D&I is a journey, but the JLC has made it clear we are committed to seeing it through.” League members are excited to help lead the way to support our community, actively speak out on injustice, and educate our members to be a voice for others.