Message From Project Unity Founder, Richie Butler
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It's Juneteenth
I grew up in Austin, TX where Juneteenth was an annual community-wide celebration for African Americans. People gathered to remember, celebrate and in the words of Jesse Jackson, “keep hope alive”. Music, food, parades, and recreational activities filled the day. No matter what day of the week the 19th of June fell on it was celebrated as the “unofficial” holiday for the black community.
Now that Juneteenth is a nationally recognized holiday, I hope people understand why the day is so important to African Americans and why it should be for all Americans. Juneteenth recognizes the end of slavery, and moreover, it is considered the longest-running holiday for African Americans. The irony of this holiday is that Abraham Lincoln signed legislation in 1863 to end slavery, but somehow it took over two years for freedom to arrive in Texas. To think about all the lives that could have been spared or changed if the word had arrived on time. But it wasn’t until June 19, (Juneteenth) 1865 when federal troops landed in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state to ensure that those enslaved were freed. The big question that is still pondered today: why did it take two years to enforce freedom?
My Austin roots remind me that despite the delay in being freed we must celebrate freedom and learn from this historical moment in time so that we are not subject to be late again.
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Listen & Learn | June 22, 2022
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Join Project Unity as we continue the 2022 Listen & Learn Summer Speaker Series. This virtual event is a next step and action item opportunity of our Together We Dine and Together We Can programs. The speaker series runs through August and is open to the public. We will feature the stories of community influencers and historical figures who will share their life journey and the contribution made to the broader community and even our nation. Be a part of this special listen and learn as we all continue to work on our personal journeys to better understand race relations, have courageous conversations and "walk in someone else's shoes".
June Speaker: Ms.Opal Lee, "Grandmother of Juneteenth" and Social Impact Leader
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Texas Capital Bank Sponsors Together We Sing!
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 On Wednesday, June 15, Project Unity will host its 2022 “Together We Sing” musical extravaganza, sponsored by Texas Capital Bank and featuring some of the most talented musicians and singers in the Gospel Music world. Together We Sing, Project Unity’s signature fundraising event, brings together the business, faith, and entertainment communities in the name of building unity.
“Texas Capital Bank is proud to sponsor Together We Sing,” said Effie Dennison, EVP, Director of Community Development and Corporate Social Responsibility for Texas Capital Bank. “Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion runs deep, and we have thoroughly enjoyed our partnership with Project Unity this year as we’ve continued to build a culture of authentic inclusion.”
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Glen Caldwell and Dallas’ own Roy Cotton, will collaborate with a 200-voice multi-ethnic, multi-faith choir, directed by Dr. Clark Joseph, representing more than 20 religions and faith organizations in a night of tribute to Gospel Music Legend Richard Smallwood. A recipient of countless accolades over his 40-year career, Smallwood’s contribution to 1992’s Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration helped win the album a GRAMMY® Award. He will be honored at Together We Sing and perform live on stage.
The NFL Players Choir and its lineup of Hall of Famers and Super Bowl champions will join the star-studded event headlined by world-renowned Gospel singer and Fort Worth native Tamela Mann, along with national Gospel recording artists Myron Williams, Niya Cotton, Darrell Blair, WFAA reporter Demond Fernandez, Dr. Tina Ali Mohammad, and more.
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Together We Sing "Together We" Award Winners
Project Unity is excited to present the inaugural “Together We” Awards which recognize individuals, corporations, and organizations who have shown an outstanding commitment to supporting and implementing racial unity, inclusion, social justice, and health efforts in the community and workplace. Please join us at the Together We Sing concert this coming Wednesday, June 15th. Awards Presentation and VIP Reception at 6:00 PM.
The award winners are:
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Corporate Unity Award
Corporate Unity Award
Corporate Unity Award
Individual Unity Award
Individual Unity Award
Individual Unity Award
Organization Unity Award
Organization Unity Award
Organization Unity Award
Health Unity Award
Health Unity Award
Health Unity Award
Pioneer Unity Award
Pioneer Unity Award
Pioneer Unity Award
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NTT DATA Services (Activist)
PricewaterhouseCoopers (Advocate)
Haynes and Boone, LLP (Legacy)
Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, President, Paul Quinn College (Activist)
Rob Crain, Partner, Crain Brogdon, LLP (Advocate)
Eddie Bernice Johnson, Congresswoman, US House of Representatives, 30th Congressional District (Legacy)
Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas (Activist)
Dallas Bar Association (Legacy)
Communities Foundation of Texas (Advocate)
Catalyst Community Foundation (Corporate)
St. Luke Community United Methodist Church
(Faith Group)
Genie and Jim Bentley (Individual)
Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church
St. Paul United Methodist Church
Highland Park United Methodist Church
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Together We Ball is Back!
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Announcing our new location partner: Paul Quinn College. Sponsorship opportunities are now available. Proceeds benefit our Together We Learn program.
To inquire about becoming a sponsor email charlene@projectunity.net. |
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Together We Dine | Thursday, June 23rd
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Take action this month and attend the April Together We Dine, Thursday, June 23rd! Whether it will be your first time or your 5th time joining the conversation, attending a virtual Together We Dine is an actionable step to begin or continue your journey of having conversations on race and current events that affect us all. The event offers a safe, non-judgmental environment to learn about others and more about yourself. It is open to the community no matter where you are, virtually! Contact Charlene if your organization or company is interested in hosting a private Dine event for your employees/staff to support your DEI efforts.
Registration is open through Wednesday, June 22 at 3 PM CST. |
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The Unfinished Church Podcast
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The Unfinished Church is for all who are ready to unite and build a world in which racial prejudice has no power. Hosted by United Methodist Bishops LaTrelle Easterling, Michael McKee, and Gregory Palmer, this podcast is a place for discussion, learning and transformation.
The first season of The Unfinished Church explores humility, implicit bias, building right relationships, compassionate listening and more as the bishops talk with activists, authors, preachers and teachers about what it means to do the work of antiracism. Our guests are well-known thought leaders putting their faith into action for a better world.
The first few episodes are now live! Listen to them by visiting www.theunfinishedchurch.org.
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Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
Summer Speaker Series
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Join the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum for their 2022 Summer Survivor Speaker Series where you will hear firsthand testimonies of Holocaust Survivors, Refugees, and Hidden Children.
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Paul Kessler
Friday, June 10 | 1:00 PM
Free - In Person OR Virtual
REGISTER HERE
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Rosian Zerner
Friday, June 24 | 1:00 PM
Free - In Person OR Virtual
REGISTER HERE
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 Love Our Facilitators
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Facilitators are the heart and soul of our Together We Dine program. They volunteer their time 2-3 times a week helping to navigate safe conversations on race. They do this heart-felt work because it matters so much to each of them. Let us introduce you to them and learn why they volunteer.
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Phillip Dieke, Associate Pastor, White Rock United Methodist Church, facilitator since 2018
"I believe in the power of relationships. It is the root of discipleship (my job), but also the root of empathy and compassion. Conversations allow us to develop relationships and thus have more compassion for one another. Everybody has a story to tell. We all have our own lens/perspective we bring. When we stick to sharing our stories and our experiences (rather than just our opinions), we have greater empathy for one another. TWD allows me opportunities to interact with a diverse group of people, thus keeping me from a monolithic view of the world and constantly reminding me - there is always something new to learn."
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Cornelia McCowan, Manager of College and Career Solutions, Economic Mobility Systems, facilitator since 2017
"As a TWD facilitator, I have the opportunity to serve as part of the solution. Each dine is a new experience and my biggest takeaway is what brings us together is greater than what we can see. Being a facilitator has brought me so much joy and hope that we can make the world a better place by listening to each other."
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Community Corner!
Juneteenth Community Conversation, June 15, 2022, 10 AM CST via Zoom
Hosted by St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, Spring, Texas
Register at - Meeting Registration - Zoom
Suggested Resources List:
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Compudopt - Empowering Youth Through Technology
Compudopt was founded in 2007 by Jonathan Osha, with the belief that every child deserves equal access to education and opportunity. Usually sent to landfills or shelved, these lightly used tools can become a dream come true for young learners ready to broaden their skills and knowledge, as well as an opportunity to demonstrate good environmental stewardship.
For more information, please reach out to Computdopt directly.
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
Keep up with Project Unity! Visit our calendar to find out where we are or who we are serving in the community. Click Here!
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