ZSR's January 2024 newsletter
View this email in your browser ([link removed])
** All For NC Newsletter
------------------------------------------------------------
Insights and Updates from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
A Note from Joy
Greetings,
Last night, I went to see Ava DuVernay’s poignant new film Origin. (If you haven’t yet seen it, run to your nearest theatre!)
The film is based on Isabel Wilkerson’s life and best-selling book Caste, which describes how societies around the globe have created caste systems that dehumanize one group of people to create an illusion of superiority for others.
As Wilkerson writes, “In America, race is the primary tool and the visible decoy for caste.”
The film shows how humans are adept at “othering” people; yet it also reveals how deep our capacity is for loving one another. Both are true — both live inside of us.
The film offers us a mirror for societal reflection, beckoning us to acknowledge that while none of us created the caste system in which we live, we have inherited it, and we now must decide whether to uphold or dismantle it.
Wilkerson compares the situation to inheriting an old house that needs significant repairs, and having to choose whether to paper over the problems or actually gut and repair them.
Covering them up may be easier, but it won’t take long for those problems to reemerge. Gutting and repairing is the only way to make the house livable for the long term. It’s always the better choice.
At ZSR, we’re grateful for our partners who work daily to dismantle and repair this home called North Carolina.
We’re also thankful to the Chris Paul Family Foundation for co-sponsoring last night’s screening of Origin, to a/perture cinema for hosting, to Bookmarks for helping us provide copies of Caste for attendees, and to MUSE Winston-Salem for hosting a community conversation, which will happen on February 15. If you’re in town, join us ([link removed]) !
All For NC,
Joy's signature
Joy Vermillion Heinsohn
Executive Director
------------------------------------------------------------
Get Inspired
Stories of hope and action from ZSR grantees and partners
* The new Netflix show You Are What You Eat ([link removed]) features the powerful story of residents in Duplin and Sampson Counties who brought and won a series of lawsuits against Smithfield Foods for polluting the community’s land and water with hog waste. Watch the series for a glimpse of Eastern NC, including interviews with Sherri White-Williamson, director at NC Conservation Network and founder of the Environmental Justice Community Action Network, and community member Lendora Farland.
* Todd Miller, founder of the North Carolina Coastal Federation, is stepping down after 41 years of environmental advocacy and leadership. In this News & Observer profile ([link removed]) , Miller leaves some parting words of wisdom about how we can mitigate and adapt to climate change along the North Carolina coast. Miller will stay engaged in the Federation’s work as senior advisor to the new executive director, Dr. Braxton Davis, who previously led the N.C. Division of Coastal Management.
* All North Carolinians want safe and quality housing, but tenants are often forced into poor living conditions due to unresponsive – and sometimes unscrupulous – landlords. Some tenants don’t speak up for fear of retaliation. But in Craven County, as this story highlights ([link removed]) , “hope is brewing” as tenants organize to fight for better housing with the support of groups including NC Housing Coalition and Legal Aid of NC.
* The NC Department of Commerce announced a new position ([link removed]) — a "childcare business liaison" —to help businesses support their employees with quality childcare options. The position is co-funded by state government and Invest Early NC, a collaborative of philanthropic groups. This partnership represents the importance of having the public, private and nonprofit sectors work together to find solutions that promote high-quality, affordable childcare.
* Governor Roy Cooper announced the members of his new environmental justice council ([link removed]) , which will advise on how to incorporate environmental justice goals across state cabinet agencies. We’re glad to see several grantee partners represented, including CleanAIRE, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Justice Action Research Clinic, Environmental Justice Community Action Network, NC Conservation Network and NC Environmental Justice Network.
* In the Triangle, El Centro Hispano rallied to support the Latine community ([link removed]) during the celebration of Three Kings Day, an important holiday for many families in North Carolina. As people struggle with inflation, El Centro's programming made it possible for families to participate in this important cultural tradition and helped foster a sense of inclusion and belonging. As one participant noted, “We feel seen.”
* On Friday, February 16, the NC Office of Strategic Partnerships will host a virtual program ([link removed]) on seeking and pursuing federal grants. The session will be particularly helpful for organizations who can partner with state government on programs that federal grants may support.
------------------------------------------------------------
What's New with ZSR?
* Want to join our team? We are currently accepting applications ([link removed]) for four program officer positions. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, February 7.
* We welcomed two new directors to our growing team. Niketa Greene ([link removed]) joined as Director of Convening and Capacity-Building, and Sorien Schmidt ([link removed]) , who has been ZSR’s senior program officer for six years, began her new role as Director of Strategy and Learning.
* José F. Oliva joined our Board of Trustees ([link removed]) . José is a committed public servant and joins 11 other trustees who, as a body, direct ZSR's grantmaking and broader efforts to serve the people of North Carolina.
* Applications for the Nonprofit Internship Program (NPIP) are currently open ([link removed]) ! This summer, NPIP will provide more than 40 paid nonprofit internships for Pell grant-eligible college students in NC. The deadline to apply is Monday, February 19, at 12pm ET.
* If you’re in or near Winston-Salem, go see Origin at a/perture cinema ([link removed]) (running through Thursday, February 8), then join us at MUSE Winston-Salem for a community conversation ([link removed]) on Thursday, February 15.
============================================================
The All For NC Newsletter is a monthly email from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation where we share insights from our staff, highlight stories of hope and action from partners across NC, and provide updates.
Like this email? ** Forward to a friend! ([link removed])
** LinkedIn ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
Copyright © 2024 Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, All rights reserved.
The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation sends periodic updates, funding opportunities, and regular newsletters to people who have opted in via our website, participated in our programs or events, or applied for a grant.
Our mailing address is:
Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
102 West Third Street
Suite 1110
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
[link removed]
