Fauquier NAACP Making an Impact

Fauquier NAACP Making an Impact

Political Action Committee Chair Matt Walker and Fauquier NAACP 1st VP with Mayor Carter Nevill at the signing of the Town Council’s proclamation recognizing June 19, 2021 as Juneteenth in the Town of Warrenton. Juneteenth celebrates the 1865 end of slavery in the United States.

By Anita L. Sherman

For more than a year, local residents have gathered on Saturday mornings at Courthouse Square in Old Town Warrenton. Many hold up Black Lives Matter signs.

There’s a table with information about the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Political Action Committee Chair Matt Walker (NAACP), an organization and Fauquier NAACP 1st VP with Mayor Carter created in 1909 to work for Nevill at the signing of the Town Council’s the abolition of segregation proclamation recognizing June 19, 2021 and discrimination in housas Juneteenth in the Town of Warrenton. ing, education, employment, Juneteenth celebrates the 1865 end of slavery voting and transportation. in the United States.

With the death of George Perry Floyd Jr. in Minneapolis Fauquier NAACP Event on May 25, 2020, protests were held in Warrenton the 66th Annual following month in June. Freedom Fund Celebration

“It started with a protest, but August 27, 2021 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Keynote now they are vigils for action,” said Dr. Ellsworth Weaver, president of the Fauquier Branch of the NAACP since November, 2019. Speaker: Dr. Cameron Webb, White House Senior Policy Advisor for COVID-19 Equity and Director of Health Policy and Equity at University of Virginia School of Medicine.

“It’s grown from that This year’s theme: incident. It’s a time to reflect and there are educational Affordable Housin. materials about housing and other topics,” said Weaver. “For instance, encouraging people to vote. There are a lot of people in this county who are not registered to vote, who have never voted, they feel that their vote doesn’t count. There’s a stigma ingrained that has polluted minds and souls. We’re trying to change that.”

Weaver has experienced segregation firsthand. He graduated from what is now Taylor Middle School. In 1956, it was the town’s only Black high school.

While Weaver grew up in Fauquier, he left and spent more than 25 years living in Boston and from there Saudi Arabia and Gambia.

“I came back to roost in Fauquier,” said Weaver, who spoke of the generational differences from the “middle, older and seasoned folks and the younger people. They’re doing their own thing. We’ve heard from high schoolers who voice their opinions. We are moving in the same direction.”

Weaver said finding solutions is challenging.

“It’s changed,” he said. “It’s a different day and different time.”

Fauquier County is one of the wealthiest counties in Virginia, with a reported median household income of $100,000. Yet, there are those who still have food insecurity.

Particularly around the holidays, local churches and food banks are stretched to fill the gap when food insecurity becomes critical.

Fauquier NAACP Health Committee member Brittney Rutledge Carlos initiated the “Nourishing Our Neighbors” project last October. The program’s success allowed hot meals to be delivered not only during last year’s holiday season but into 2021. The committee looks forward to continuing that work and welcomes donations.

Weaver said there is much collaboration and cooperation among other local branches of the NAACP in neighboring counties like Warren and Prince William.

“It’s family,” said Weaver. “Wherever we are, we know we can count on each other for support. We’re all part of that ongoing collective spirit. We may stumble today but we can’t stop…just need to re-energize, be flexible and remember to keep moving.”

Weaver said he looks forward to their 66th Annual Freedom Fund Celebration.

“We will be announcing the recipient of Fauquier NACCP’s first Annual Distinguished Citizen Service Award.”

Details: NAACP Fauquier County Branch, 7059-B Fauquier County Branch, P.O. Box 82, Bealeton, VA 22712, www.naacpfauqiercounty.org

Fauquier NAACP Event 66th Annual Freedom Fund Celebration

August 27, 2021 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Cameron Webb, White House Senior Policy Advisor for COVID-19 Equity and Director of Health Policy and Equity at University of Virginia School of Medicine.

This year’s theme: Affordable Housin.