New Racial Justice Program Aims to Increase Policy Advocacy
Nehemiah Charitable Fund has received a $125,000 grant from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) to support the launch of its Racial Justice & Social Equity (RSJE) Initiative. This funding will enable the organization to recruit a policy advocate and community organizer who will focus on advancing policies and systemic change addressing issues that disproportionately affect Black communities in the Inland Empire region.
Staff will specifically work alongside a range of community groups and coalitions, including Inland Empire United, COPE of San Bernardino, and the California Black Power Network. Their efforts will involve presenting policy recommendations to elected officials regarding redistricting for Black and Hispanic communities in San Bernardino, Fontana, and Rialto. Additional policy initiatives will focus on advocating for housing justice and organizing actions to help prevent hundreds of families from being evicted after the end of the eviction moratorium.
Over the next few years, Nehemiah’s advocacy will center on joining statewide listening calls about reparations organized by the California Black Power Network, as well as offering feedback on recommendation proposals to members of the California Reparations Task Force established by Governor Gavin Newsom.