Dear Friend,

Greetings! I’m James Benton, co-chair of the board of DC Jobs With Justice and director of the Race and Economic Empowerment Project at the Kalmanovitz Initiative at Georgetown University. I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of our annual I’ll Be There Awards ceremony on November 14, and to share why I am a strong supporter of DC Jobs with Justice.

Workers in DC face many challenges, including low and stagnant wages, rising costs for housing and basic needs, and lack of respect on the job. These and other challenges make daily life here difficult for many people. And given the current economy and continuing development in the District, those challenges aren’t going to let up anytime soon.

I am excited to be at this year’s I’ll Be There awards because this program reminds us of WHY we do what we do. DC JWJ’s mission to fight for workers’ rights and their partners, who help make the magic happen, motivates me, and I hope to see how our mission motivates you. I look forward to seeing you and other friends, colleagues, and neighbors committed to the same purpose – making a positive change for working class people in DC.

See you on Nov. 14!