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Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
A Standard f Excellence
2014-2015 Annual Impact Report
Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals Network
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Table of Contents
Welcome and Introduction: President’s Message
Leadership: Executive Board
Affiliate Support: Building a Stronger Northern Virginia Urban League Together
Membership Engagement: Personal and Professional Development
Membership Engagement: Leadership Development
Community Impact: Civic Engagement and Participation
Community Impact: Education
Community Impact: Health and Housing
Community Impact: Jobs and Economic Development
Communications: Enhancing Our Impact
Fund Development: Leveraging Partnerships and Social Programs
Supporting our Sister Chapters
Honoring Our Legacy
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
President’s Message
Greetings Young Professionals,
It is my honor and privilege to submit to you the Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals Network 2014-2015 Annual Impact Report. This Report reflects the summation of the time, talent, and treasure we have invested in the Northern Virginia Community. Although, we are headquartered in Alexandria City—our footprint extends much further to Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William Counties.
This year as we celebrated 15 years of Empowering Communities and Changing Lives across Northern Virginia, we focused on building stronger relationships in the community, more strategically supporting and engaging with our Affiliate, and providing services to Northern Virginia’s most vulnerable population. By setting a “Standard of Excellence” as our theme for the year, we
Increased our affiliate service by 59%
Increased active membership
Increased cross-committee collaboration and fundraising efforts
Increased our social media reach and followership
As we continue to set a standard of excellence over the next 15 years, we will continue to work to improve the lives of those most vulnerable and disadvantaged in the Northern Virginia community.
Yours in the movement,
Traci J. DeShazor, MA | President Ronald Hobson | Chairman Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals Network Northern Virginia Urban League Board of Directors
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
2014-2015
Executive Board
Traci DeShazor President
Angela C. Kasey Vice President
Garrett James Parliamentarian
Sabrina Pinnix Treasurer
Aminata Ly Secretary
Edith Tudae Historian
Michelle Hamilton Director of
Communications
Jenale Scarlett Director of
Community Service
Marcus Coleman Director of
Fund Development
Janea Raines Director of
Personal and Professional Development
Amber English Director of
Political Engagement
Shamika Lewis Director of
Social Programs
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Affiliate Service
$12,363.04
2,519 Direct Service Hours Provided a $5, 000 Scholarship to Northern Virginia an area high school student attending the University of Virginia Maintained Affiliate Facebook Page—Increasing Followership by 37% to 274 Followers Maintained Affiliate CEO Facebook Page Filled-In as Affiliate Board Secretary (upon request) Engaged on Affiliate Revenue Generating and 25th Annual Dinner Committees Provided 15 Freedom House Museum Tours to more than 233 visitors Supported the Affiliate’s Resource Mothers and Grandfathers’ Group Programs through financial and volunteer support Provided graphic design support to help market Golf Tournament, “25 for 25” Fundraising Campaign, and Annual Dinner Supported the Affiliate Golf Tournament by providing financial and volunteer support Hosted a “Getting to Know the Leaders in the League” mixer with the Affiliate and the Guild Provided support for Affiliate Selma screening Provided volunteer support for the Affiliate’s Anniversary Mixer with U.S. Senator Mark Warner Supported Affiliate Board Chairman Hobson by attending his LA Fitness
Aerobics Class
Resource Mothers Program
The Resource Mothers Program provides a combination of social support, education and practical assistance to teens as they experience the crisis of a teen pregnancy and make the transition to parenthood. These programs have demonstrated
effectiveness in improving the birth outcomes for the high-risk pregnant teen and her family. This year the Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals provided Holiday Gift Cards for the mothers and Thanksgiving Food Baskets for the mothers and their families.
Grandfathers Group Mentoring Program
Premised on the fact that children in homes without a father present are twice as likely to drop out of school, this highly successful program of 10 years uses an intergenerational approach to mentoring young African American and Hispanic males. The program helps them to enhance and develop a sense of honesty, personal integrity, morality and self-esteem through examples set by senior African-American males mentors who volunteer their time to help promote positive behavior among young men of color. Our “Grandfather Mentors” offer their life experiences, knowledge, instincts and abilities to help shape the character of young men ages 9-12. The mentors maintain at least four (4) monthly contacts with their mentees including a minimum of two face to face contacts designed to facilitate bonding and positive social interaction. NVULYPN provided tutoring and mentorship---helping
facilitate and provide speakers for the Program.
$11, 693.44 Cash
$719.10 In-Kind
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Membership Engagement
Personal and Professional Development
Professional Speaker Series During the 2014-2015 term, the Personal and Professional Development Team planned and executed 11 General Body Meetings as part of their Professional Speaker Series. Each General Body Meeting (GBM) provided a monthly forum for current and future members to develop themselves both personally and professionally through direct engagement with subject matter experts in the areas of:
Financial Literacy and Planning
Building and Developing Healthy Relationships
Vision and Goal Setting
Philanthropy
Leadership
Health and Wellness
Professional Branding
Book-N-Lunch: Book Club During the 2014-2015 term, the Personal and Professional Development Team re-launched NVULYPN’s Book Club: Book-N-Lunch (formerly known as “The Forum”) meeting for 3 discussions and reading:
Militant Mediator: Whitney M. Young, Jr.
The New Jim Crow
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Membership Engagement
Leadership Development
Organizational and Community Leadership Traci DeShazor | President | NVULYPN Gubernatorial Appointee, Virginia Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Member, Northern Virginia Urban League Board of Directors
Chair, Diversity and Inclusion, National Capital Region Chapter, Virginia Tech Alumni Association Communications Lead, Northern Virginia Coalition Vice President of Research and Policy, Virginia Leadership Institute Angela C. Kasey | Vice President | NVULYPN Chair, Northern Virginia Association of Realtors-Young Professionals Network Member, Paws2Care Advisory Board John T. Chapman | Member | NVULYPN Gubernatorial Appointee, Alexandria City Councilman Raquel McLaughlin | Member | NVULYPN Member, DC Area USC Alumni Association Board of Directors Kezia Williams | Member | NVULYPN Founder and Chair, Capital Cause
Small Business Ownership Garrett James | Parliamentarian | NVULYPN Founder and Owner, Capitol Media, USA Tyra Beamon | Member | NVULYPN
Founder and Owner, Sincerely Ty Jenee Padmore | Member | NVULYPN Owner and Founder, Easy on the Eyez Event Décor Owner and Founder, Padmore Hospitality Pamela Perkins | Member | NVULYPN Founder, Leadership Matters, LLC Maurice Mbata | Member |NVULYPN Owner, MIM Insurance Solutions Howard A. Foard, III | Member | NVULYPN Omega Strategies, LLC Frank Brown | Member | NVULYPN CEO and Founder, Capital Visions Group Raquel McLaughlin | Member | NVULYPN RideSportation, LLC
Awards and Recognition Traci DeShazor | President | NVULYPN Women’s Empowerment Award for Philanthropy Young Women of Vision Nominee, Women’s Information Network
Marcus Coleman | Director of Fund Development | NVULYPN National Recognition for professional efforts around Disaster Preparedness with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (FEMA)
Salim Adofo | Member | NVULYPN Top 40 Under 40, Leadership Arlington
Leadership Development Traci DeShazor | President | NVULYPN
VCU, Grace E. Harris Minority Political Leadership Institute UVA, Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership Political Leaders Program
Marcus Coleman | Director of Fund Development | NVULYPN Harvard School of Public Health, National Preparedness Leadership Initiative Executive Program Latriece Prince-Wheeler | Member | NVULYPN Leadership Arlington Nicole Lewis | Member | NVULYPN Claudia L. McKoin Public Leadership Service Academy Leadership Arlington
“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”
-Warren Bennis
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Community Impact
Civic Engagement and Participation
10th Annual Political Forum The Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals Network hosted the 10th Annual Political
Forum on October 6, 2014. The purpose of the Political Forum is to increase political awareness in
the Northern Virginia community, educate minority constituents on Candidates’ platforms, and
increase minority voter participation amongst young professionals ages 21-40 in the Northern
Virginia community. This year’s Forum focused on Candidates running for Virginia’s 8th
Congressional District. Democratic, Republican, Independent, and Green Party Candidates were
represented in the Forum which received media coverage from the Alexandria Patch local
publication. More than 50 area residents attended the Forum.
National Day of Empowerment On November 8, 2014, the Northern Virginia
Urban League Young Professionals Network
hosted a National Day of Empowerment Town
Hall focused on Student Loan Debt. The Town
Hall gave current and future members the
opportunity to interact with a panel of subject
matter experts including Shelia Islong, Public
Policy Manager for the “Higher Ed Not Debt
Campaign” for the Center for American
Progress, Jasmine Hicks, Director for the Higher
Education Campaign with the Young Invincibles,
and Dominique Broadway, Personal Finance
Coach and Founder of Finances Demystified.
Participants discussed ways to advocate around
student loan reform. According to CNN, more
than 40 million Americans have student loan
debt. NVULYPN continues to engage on this
important issue.
Rides to the Polls
On Tuesday, November 4, 2014, in collaboration with the NOVA Coalition,
Omicron Kappa Kappa Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and the
Nu Xi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. the Northern Virginia
Urban League Young Professionals Network provided rides to the polls to
more than 30 senior residents in the Elmwood and Lockwood House Senior
Living facilities in Arlington, Virginia for the 3rd consecutive year.
Program Description: NVULYPN partnered with the Omicron Kappa Kappa
chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity on 11/4/2014 to provide rides to
the polls for senior residents of the Elmwood House & Lakewood House
communities in Arlington, VA.
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152745044481422.107
3741901.144515841421&type=3
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Community Impact
Civic Engagement and Participation
Interacting with Law Enforcement: Town Hall
On Monday, October 27, 2014 the Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals Network hosted Know YOUR Rights: Interacting with Law Enforcement---an engaging Town Hall style discussion designed to give Northern Virginia area Young Professionals the opportunity to dialogue around interacting with law enforcement, race relations, police misconduct, and recent occurrences of excessive use of force around the nation. The Town Hall featured LaDonna Saunders, President of the Alexandria NAACP, Salim Adofo, National Vice Chairperson for the National Black United Front, and Arthur Romano, Adjunct Professor at
George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.
March Against Police Misconduct
A collaborative effort between the National Urban League and the National Action Network, the March on Washington called for the Department of Justice to make fundamental changes to the criminal justice system. NVULYPN was also joined by the Alexandria branch of the NAACP, Capital Cause, the League of United Latino Organizations (LULAC), the National Black United Front (NBUF), and the Women's
Information Network (WIN).
Engaging Alexandria City and Prince William Law Enforcement
The Political Engagement Committee under the leadership of Amber English joined with the Alexandria and Prince
Williams County Branches of the NAACP to engage Law Enforcement on how to
improve and promote positive community-police relations across
Northern Virginia.
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Education
Community Impact
The LEAD Conference
Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals joined Young
Professionals from across the country to participate in a Green Grass
Generation community service project. The project gave the Young
Professionals the opportunity to teach elementary school students about
recycling, upcyling and conserving energy and water. Through using the Green
Grass Generation curriculum, an interactive 45-minute session, Young
Professionals helped students determine 'how to improve the future of our
planet through sustainable practices.” This was not only an opportunity for
NULYP leaders to reinforce the Urban League commitment to service and
sustainability but to also teach the next generation of leaders how to maintain
and preserve our planet.
College Survival 101
College Survival 101 is a one-day workshop geared toward high school students and their parents to prepare them for college success.
The interactive day is filled with informational sessions on financial literacy and budgeting, choosing a college major, navigating social
life, time management, and campus life. Students also enjoyed a mini-college fair
featuring a ½ dozen colleges and universities.
Several students received “survival kits” complete with Wal-Mart gift cards, supplies,
shower gear and more! One lucky student also walked away with a $500 book scholarship
for their 1st semester at college.
4,761 Service Hours
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Community Impact
Education
5th Annual Backpack Drive
Across the country and specifically in Northern Virginia, teachers and
school officials have found that, in many instances, the first day of school
comes and their jobs of equipping the minds of our youth are difficult as
many young people do not have basic supplies. This is a situation that the
Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals Network (YPN) has
strategically worked to address. For the past 5 years, YPN has held an
annual Backpack Drive to ensure Northern Virginia’s most vulnerable
community was prepared for a successful year ahead. The Northern
Virginia Urban League Young Professionals Network collected and stuffed
173 backpacks for 6 local shelters, community centers, and schools.
173 Backpacks
“150 for 15” Book Drive
In order to encourage summer reading and
promote literacy, the Northern Virginia Urban
League Young Professionals Network in
collaboration with the Virginia State Bar Young
Lawyers Conference donated 706 books to
Patrick Henry Elementary School. Students will be
allowed to check out books as they adjourn for
summer. The goal was to provide 150 books in
honor of NVULYPN’s 15th Anniversary. The goal
was exceeded by 371%!
706 books
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Community Impact National Day of Service
Nine high school students from Alexandria, Virginia came
together for a Mobile Application Pitch Competition. Each
student had the support of young professionals well-versed
in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship to assist them
with a mobile application concept design. The purpose of
the event was to encourage the students to think of solutions
centering on problems in the areas of jobs and economic
development, health, housing, and education. Upon
completing their concepts, the students then “pitched” their
mobile application designs to a panel of judges. The
competition gave students the opportunity to develop
public speaking and marketing skills.
Health and Housing
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Jobs and Economic Development
Community Impact
The Millennial Jobs Summit In collaboration with GenerationNext, the Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals Network held its first Millennial Jobs Summit. The event—geared toward innovators, thought leaders, career professionals, and students looking to find and create their next opportunity—featured:
Millennial Job Fair & Startup/Small Business Expo
Career Development Workshop
Women in Tech Panel
Entrepreneur Development Panel
Join Week Getting to the “C-Suite” with U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.
President and CEO Ron Busby, Sr.
Collaboration with strategic partners in the community not only allows us to engage a larger part of Northern Virginia, but also provide unique learning experiences. Our collaboration with the USBC is a great example of this. The USBC is an organization comprised of self-sustaining, viable Black Chambers and nationwide small business associations. During Join Week 2015, USBC President and CEO Ron Busby engaged NVULYPN current and future members in an intimate conversation sharing his personal story for triumph and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur and business owner
today.
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Communications 1, 491Page Likes
1,129 2013-2014 840 2012-2013
3,153 Followers 2,195 2013-2014 1098 2012-2013
128 Page Followers Created 2014-2015
162 Followers 31 2014
Communications
Increased our Social Media Presence and Engagement
Re-launched LinkedIn Page
Launched Instagram
Launched MailChimp as a form of CRM for weekly chapter updates
Expanded Communications Committee to 12 Members
Trained 2 New Committee Members to maintain recently updated website
Streamlined our communications to include transitioning from Constant Contact to MailChimp. This transition resulted in a $540 (12 months of service) cost savings.
Updated the format of our weekly digest to include direct links to the NULYP Annual Report and the 2015 NUL Save Our Cities Report
Launched “15 for 15” Campaign to commemorate NVULYPN’s 15th Anniversary and raise funds for the Scholarship Endowment Fund
Initiated “Why I Lead” Campaign to encourage membership and promote the Urban League mission
Leveraged Committee resources—resulting in $816.45 in cost savings
1, 703 subscribers Created 2014-2015
32%
44%
115%
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Communications
The Blue Campaign
The Political Engagement Committee in
collaboration with the League of Women
Voters hosted Human Trafficking: Here and
Now to increase awareness around human
trafficking in Northern Virginia. The Committee
was supported by the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign.
Additionally, the Committee’s efforts were
highlighted in a report to the White House.
Enhancing Our Impact
The Communications Committee in collaboration with
the Social Programs, Political Engagement, and Fund
Development Committees enhanced our reach and
followership by developing and fostering
relationships with a variety of organizations across
Northern Virginia.
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Fund Development
Black Opal: The Gatsby Edition
On Saturday, May 16, 2015, the Northern Virginia
Urban League Young Professionals Network hosted
the 6th Annual Black Opal Fundraising Gala. The
event, hosted by Rev. Lennox Yearwood, President
and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus, honored Young
Philanthropists across Northern Virginia as well as the
founders of NVULYPN; Paula Fisher, Marvin Reese,
Danyelle-Taylor, Michael Diggins, Kevin Taylor, and
Alicia Smith. Proceeds from Black Opal support our
Scholarship Endowment Fund and Programs.
Leveraging Partnerships and Social Programs
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Fund Development
Fundraisers
H & R Block Referral Program
Black Opal: Black Out Happy Hour
6th Annual Black Opal Fundraising and Awards Gala
Giving Tuesday
Black Philanthropy Month
NVULYPN Merchandise Sale: T-Shirts, wristbands, and backpacks
Small Business Spotlight Campaign
Amazon Prime
“$15, $150, $1,500 for 15 Campaign”
Donor Mixer
Ways to Give
Mobile Text: Text “YPN” to 41444 to donate
Razoo: http://www.razoo.com/story/nvulypn
Paypal
www.nvulypn.org
Amazon Prime
OUR Dollars at Work
Gift Giving Circle: Scholarship Endowment Fund
This year the Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals Network provides a $5,000 to Yafiet Gojela.
Yafiet will attend University of Virginia in the fall.
Corporate Sponsors: Booz Allen Hamilton American Institutes for Research
Safeway
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Honoring Our Legacy
Sister Chapter Support
Supporting Our Sister Chapters
Attended 13 events in support of our Sister Chapters
Collaborated with Thursday Network to host Legislative
Policy Conference late night social at the Huxley Lounge in
Washington DC
Worked with Thursday Network to support the March on
Washington Against Police Misconduct
Provided financial support to the Urban League of Greater
Richmond Young Professionals Network scholarship fund
Supported the Buffalo Urban League Young Professionals
Annual Soiree Fundraiser
Supported the Greater Baltimore Urban League Leadership
Association Annual Masquerade Ball
Our Sister Chapters Supporting Us
During the 2015 Legislative Policy Conference, more
than 10 Chapters supported the Northern Virginia Urban
League Young Professionals for our 2nd Annual Wine and
Cheese Reception at our historic Freedom House Museum
Young Professionals from the Buffalo, Washington DC,
New York, and Baltimore joined NVULYPN for our 6th
Annual Black Opal Fundraising Gala
$320 in financial
support
Northern Virginia Urban League Impact Report
Honoring Our Legacy
Health
The Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals Network (YPN), celebrated our 15th birthday in
style by honoring our founders, past leaders, and by charging current members to always remember the
purpose and continue the movement. Whitney M. Young once said, “It is better to be prepared for an
opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.” Young, a former
Executive Director of the National Urban League, knew the importance of taking advantage of every
opportunity as he spawned unprecedented growth for the organization during one of the most challenging
periods in American History, the Civil Rights Era.
Fast forward to 2014, YPN, in celebrating our 15th year anniversary, are both prepared and clearly
seeing the opportunities that lay ahead for us. Many of these opportunities will be in the areas of growth,
collaboration across silos, and in continuing the dedication to the mission of creating positive change in
Northern Virginia. What began as a call to action, by then Northern Virginia Urban League President,
George Lambert, to six young professionals: Michael Diggins, Paula Fisher, Marvin Reese, Alicia Smith,
Danyelle Taylor and Kevin Taylor, has grown into the powerful organization seen today. YPN is truly a
training ground for new leaders. In the 15 years since its founding, YPN has donated thousands of hours
moving the Urban League’s mission forward and has collaborated with many community partners to
promote community empowerment, professional development and overall community building among
Northern Virginia residents.
“Celebrating 15 years of Service”