What Does Black History 365 Look Like?
Each One Teach One #365
When thinking of Black History, we never have to go too far. Looking at our own family history can give us good insight into the trials, triumphs and resilient nature within African American culture and history. Today we spotlight Ms. Melva Walker, grandmother of our very own CEO Skip Walker. In 1964 Ms. Melva could be found canvasing her Lawrenceville , VA community where she worked tirelessly to help Blacks register to vote. Slight of frame but mighty in spirit Ms. Melva received frequent intimidation attempts from the Klu Klux Klan who would leave threatening notes on her car. Despite the efforts of the KKK, in 1964, Lawrenceville residents Rocked the Vote, making their voices LOUD and their wishes clear by voting for President Lyndon B. Johnson in a landslide victory. On September 9, of that same year, the Brunswick 15 were the first African Americans to attend Brunswick Highschool in Lawrenceville, VA. #blackhistory365
Read more about the Brunswick 15 here https://bit.ly/42TZKcQ
Ms. Melva T. Walker and her trusty automobile posing before going to register Blacks to vote in Lawrenceville, VA 1964
In Community:
As we continue to navigate years of violence and oppression against the masses let us not forget where we come from. It is only by knowing our past, that we can boldly step into the future together.
At Inner City Family Services, we strive each day to be a beacon of light and hope. We work tirelessly within our community and our great city to combat stigma, isolation, marginalization and oppression of our most vulnerable residents. The concept of Each One Teach One is not lost on us, as we strive to be better, do better, and serve better. In this effort we invite each of you to join us as we build bridges and break barriers East of the River.
As you ponder your own Black History consider the ways that you are making history; Perhaps you are the first in your family to graduate from Highschool, College, Police Academy. Maybe you are the first in your family to start your own business. We all have history/herstory making abilities, so we encourage you to Let you light SHINE!!
Blogs to Read:
https://thenapministry.wordpress.com/
Poem to Ponder:
overcome by the stink of mildewed wash, i have
been three months behind in my rent for thirty years. my
countrymen do not love me. even my lines have
lines. we are getting old in a city where the old are
invisible. i have nothing new to eat and barely five minutes
to use the jane. and less time than that to revisit my
father’s grave. i’ve worn the same underwear for fifteen
of those thirty years and some pieces longer than that
writing friends is a luxury, enemies a necessity. my car
was stripped and stolen months ago and i have no
money with which to repair or replace it. my mentors have
exiled me to the outskirts of nappy literacy. my wallet is
dying of militant brain cancer. my lust for my country
is frigid. the light excludes me and there is
no degree for what is learned in the dark
i am too clumsy to steal big. there is a boogie man in
New York City who conspires against and spreads
rumors about my lost lip. i am so economically crippled
even my begging cup has mold sprouting in its well. my
son has mistaken me for a dragon and his history teachers keep
trying to hose out these flames in my mouth. i do not
attend my high school class reunions because too many of
my classmates died in Vietnam or in the liquor lockers
of America or in those classrooms long ago. there is
a boogiewoman in Oberlin who conspires against me, her
jealousy inspired by my imaginary imaginings
i am trapped in the hold of my greedy grief
and expected to keep circling. i expect my son to escape
and my husband to die during exquisite crisis. the federal
bureau of pajamas is after my hot cross buns. i expect to
awaken from sleep soon. i expect my banana nut bread to
go stale and uneaten. i expect to die poemless and to be
cremated in state ovens. i expect my ashes
to be scattered like pollen, to take wing on the wind
like buddhaflies
-Wanda Coleman
About the artist: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/wanda-coleman
Things to do DC:
Annual Black History Luncheon 2/22/25 1 2-4pm; https://asalh.org/calendar/99th-annual-black-history-month-luncheon/
Black History Month Celebration Calendar: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:407964bf-383c-4289-a9e0-6e04c4d98c78
Mouthwatering Recipes to make:
https://youtu.be/wF1WCnV5Cyc?si=aYGQi4lAme5Z0110 (Vegan Chickpeas: The recipe and the beard)
https://youtu.be/2P_3nfk2ap4?si=v6_eASzz_qcSrYf0 (Smothered Turkey Wings)
Around the Diaspora;
African History Today: https://lughayangu.com/today-in-history
Tis The Season
Happy Holidays
From the Desk of the Director:
Greeting from Inner City Family Services,
As we celebrate this holiday season, we reflect on the heart of our mission: to empower individuals and families through compassionate, high-quality care. We are honored to serve our community and deeply grateful for the trust you place in us to support your journey toward wellness and stability.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives and for inspiring us every day.
From our ICFS family to yours, we wish you a joyous holiday season filled with peace, love, and hope.
Happy Holidays,
Come on In
Welcome to Inside Inner City where we take you on a tour of what’s going on inside ICFS and around our beautiful city.
Holiday Cheer
This year we kicked off the Holiday season with a BANG! At ICFS we understand that the importance of engaging over a good meal so this year we partnered with Commonwealth Association for Sustainable development (CAFSD) to host a Holiday Luncheon! Consumers and community members were nourished with wholesome individual, high quality meals and delicious whole fruit juices. We thank our consumers, community leaders and volunteers for all of your hard work, we couldn’t have done it without you!
Be A Good Neighbor
We want to encourage each of you to check on your neighbors. During this time of year when stress is high and temperatures are low, we want to remind you that many of our elderly residents are often overlooked and underserved. As a community let’s ensure that we look out for our most vulnerable residents, many of whom are on fixed incomes with limited resources. As hypothermia season starts to show it’s cold and bitter face it will be imperative that we look out for one another. Check out the COLD DC page for the most up to date resources:
https://dhs.dc.gov/extremeweather
Have a safe and sober holiday: How to deck the halls without getting LIT!
Preparation; Have an exit plan & Take a recovery buddy
Party over here; Only attend party’s where you feel safe, Have your own party!
Sobriety Sandwich; Attend a recovery meeting before and after the holiday party.
Remember: Feelings come and go. It’s how we RESPOND to them that matter.
Be A Light, Spread Awareness;
October; Substance Use Awareness- We support all those living with substance use disorders, you are not alone.
November; Hunger and Homelessness Awareness- We stand in solidarity with all who are hungry and/or homeless, and look for ways to provide support and relief.
Bah Humbug: Don’t be a Scrooge, take care of yourself and your mental health this Holiday;
Two in five Americans feel their mental health is negatively impacted during the holidays; no matter the reason for your holiday blues, you may find comfort in the following tips;
Don’t overcommit; Manage stress by minimizing commitments
Talk to a friend; Having a holiday stress buddy to talk to can help
Be kind to yourself; Acknowledge your feelings and create positive self talk
Get moving; Physical exercise, dancing, and going for a walk are all great ways to increase oxygen and boost mood
Inside Inner City
The Big Chair, Anacostia, Washington, DC
Welcome to Inner City Family Services (Inner City). Located in the heart of SE, Washington, DC, just three blocks from the world famous “Big Chair”. Inner City provides comprehensive wrap around services to residents in primarily to residents “East of the River”, in wards seven and eight.
Our goal is simple; to provide high quality Mental Health Rehabilitation and Substance Use Disorder services to a community often marginalized, underserved and underrepresented. With our team of highly skilled clinicians and dedicated staff, ICFS works tirelessly to ensure that no resident who wants help, slips through the cracks.
Our unique, culturally relevant approach to service delivery, allows Inner City to provide consumers with unmatched person-centered care. Whether it’s therapeutic services, medication management, group therapy or community support, Inner City is here to assist consumers with receiving all of the services they are entitled to.
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