Social Justice …. For Good. For All. For Ever.

BY THE CHESTER COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

In Chester County, as in the rest of the U.S., COVID quickly heightened the disparities in earning power, education, technology, health care and justice. A stressed, strained nation is bursting with frustration, ideas, and possible solutions. Some voices are heard too loudly, and others barely at all. What’s a person to do?

Philanthropy, at its core, is love of humankind in all its diversity. At the Community Foundation, we know that varied perspectives and an inclusive culture inspire innovative, creative solutions to the complex issues of a changing – and increasingly diverse – world. We aim to create a future where all people have the opportunity and ability to achieve what they want for their lives.

Sam Stretton, Esq., of West Chester has been immersed in civil rights and social justice since 1973. Sam is passionate: “The fight for social justice is far from over. It’s upsetting that in Chester County, the land of Quaker heritage and the Underground Railroad, racial prejudice still exists.”

Sam recounts his first Chester County civil rights case: “In 1985 Wilma Ford, a very prominent civil rights leader, brought three major civil rights activists into my West Chester office: Charles Melton, Dr. W.T.M. Johnson and Norman Bond. They opened my eyes to Chester County’s discrimination against Black people. For our first case, I filed a suit alleging 150 years of voter discrimination. As a result of our hard-earned win, West Chester created a ward system to replace voting at large, so that non-whites could have a reasonable chance of being elected. Subsequently in 2000, we win the right of convicted felons to vote in Pennsylvania.

Sam has also challenged the court and jury system. Sam notes: “In too many cases Black defendants face all-white juries, all-white prosecutors, and all-white defense lawyers. We have six law schools within 30 miles graduating hundreds of law students every year, some of them very qualified Black and Hispanic new lawyers. It makes no sense that Chester County has so few Black prosecutors, Black lawyers and public defenders; and jurors.”

Sam is clear: “In housing, education, voter suppression, and the legal system, it’s tragic to see the discrimination that still exists. There’s still too much racism in Chester County; these days it’s just more subtle.”

John McKenna, Esq., of MacElree Harvey in West Chester deeply believes, “To whom much is given, much is required” and “Each of us has a role in helping open opportunities for others.”

A Board member of the Community Foundation, John encouraged his law partners to create the MacElree Harvey Ltd. Technology Fund for Economically Disadvantaged Children.

John explains that MacElree Harvey Ltd. wants to help children in economically marginalized communities have reliable and consistent access to computers, software, internet access and digital tools that will enable them to succeed in an ever-evolving tech world. “This is one of our ways to Stand for Justice,” John enthuses.

Continued on page 30 www.chescobar.org

Continued from page 29

An associate attorney at Larmore Scarlett in Kennett Square, Emily Abels, Esq., co-chairs the Community Foundation’s IDEA Council. Meeting monthly, 30 highly experienced, diverse community members from throughout Chester County share best practices and activities they are spearheading to promote and support Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access.

The IDEA Council has helped the Community Foundation ramp up in several areas, including its Community Conversations. “It is important for the Community Foundation to serve as an ally and an advocate. The monthly lunchtime Zoom Conversations are intense, thoughtful, lively discussions that shed new light on some sensitive social equity topics,” explains Emily.

“Whether the discussion is related to healthcare access, environmental justice, food insecurity, disabilities, racism, or discrimination, there are always new vantage points and perspectives to help deepen understanding and build bridges. We have a long way to go. But I am proud of the work of the IDEA Council and the progress made so far.”

Please join us. Whether it’s

• grantmaking via legacy funds

• becoming more aware and connected via our monthly Community Conversations

• serving on nonprofit committees and boards via GetOnBoard, the Community Foundation connects people who care, with causes that matter Now & Forever.

Questions? Contact:

Winnie Sebastian, Esq., Board Chair

Karen Simmons, President/CEO

Jason Arbacheski, CAP, Director of Gift Planning and Stewardship

Chester County Community Foundation

28 West Market Street, West Chester, PA 19382 (610) 696-8211 | info@chescocf.org | www.chescocf.org