Think Globally, Act Locally
Published Oct 11 2020 in
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In June, I shared that for the second half of 2020, Harmony Farm Candles will contribute 10% of its profits to a Black-centered organization.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Guided by the principle of acting locally, the West End Revitalization Association (WERA), right here in Mebane, North Carolina, is that organization.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Per its website: “Founded in 1994, WERA is Alamance County’s first and only community development corporation. WERA services residents, homeowners, and landowners of five African-American communities in Alamance County and Orange County. These communities were settled by former slaves, just beyond Mebane’s city limits, shortly after the Civil War and are 85% to 95% African-American. Seven 100-year-old churches, founded as early as 1864, are landmarks of survival.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Led by President Omega Wilson, WERA works at the intersection of environmental and racial justice. Mebane leaders have historically disenfranchised Black communities in a variety of ways. This includes: not annexing the communities into the city limits so they can enjoy city services like water and sewer and the right to vote in city elections; and locating major road construction projects in the communities without proper mitigation for homeowners or general regard for the residents.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The West End Revitalization Association is a grassroots organization that's innovative and truly people-powered. I'm excited to support its work and I hope you are too! Next: Moving Forward
