The Center on Community Philanthropy at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service Center announced Heirs of Arkansas, ReMix Ideas, and Southeast Arkansas Delta Solutions Community Development Organization as the recipients of the 2020 Advancing Equity Award on Tuesday at Sturgis Hall.
The recipients were announced at a reception celebrating the fourth annual National Day of Healing. More than 50 organizations and individuals submitted letters of interest for the 2020 Advancing Equity Award. Mayor Frank Scott Jr. was on hand to recognize and celebrate the recipients.
Presented to organizations using innovative solutions to address racial inequalities in their communities and advance progress toward inclusion, each recipient was awarded with funding ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.
Governor Asa Hutchinson recently signed a proclamation declaring January 21 the National Day of Racial Healing for Arkansas. The National Day of Racial Healing is an opportunity for people, organizations, and communities across the country to call for racial healing, bring people together in their common humanity, and take collective action to create a more just and equitable world.
The National Day of Racial Healing is a part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation effort – a national and community-based process to plan for and bring about transformational and sustainable change, and to address the historic and contemporary effects of racism.
Launched in 2007, the Center on Community Philanthropy at the Clinton School of Public Service was created to focus its teaching, research, and policy-making exclusively on the emerging field of community philanthropy, the idea of giving and sharing time, talent, and treasure from within one’s own community.
Below is more information on each of 2020 Advancing Equity Award recipients:
Heirs of Arkansas
With many families of color, land is an asset that provides not only a home but also offers future generational wealth. Heirs of Arkansas was formed to assist in helping protect property rights and give families a fighting chance to keep their inheritance and build lasting wealth.
Founded by Karama Neal, Heirs of Arkansas advocates for policy change within the state and shares knowledge across the region on the power of land ownership.
ReMix Ideas
With the goal to bridge the racial wealth gap by increasing minority business ownership and a mission to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem that empowers under-resourced entrepreneurs to start and grow their own business, ReMix Ideas has provided transformational opportunities.
Founded by Benito Lubazibwa, the organization’s activities include a 12-week program that teaches minority entrepreneurs the skills required to create, scale, and sustain a successful business – including how to develop and test ideas in a real-world marketplace.
Southeast Arkansas Delta Solutions Community Development Organization
With a commitment to using innovative solutions to help mend the gaps of marginalized groups; Southeast Arkansas Delta Solutions Community Development Organization focuses on providing services that eliminate barriers and build partnerships to transform the effects of racial inequities.
The organization has developed a working relationship with the local courts to assist with reducing recidivism among the formerly incarcerated while simultaneously giving back to the community by volunteering with local food banks. With local resources and partnership building, Southeast Arkansas Delta Solutions Community Development Organization creates mentorship opportunities for young males of color.
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