DIGNITY AND JUSTICE FOR URBAN AMERICA Center for Social Concerns at Notre Dame Malik S. Nevels, J.D. Executive Director Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention December 8,

HOW HAS THE QUEST FOR DIGINTY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE SHAPED MY PERSONAL NARRATIVE? HOW HAS MY PERSONAL NARRATIVE SHAPED MY QUEST FOR DIGNITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE? HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR URBAN PLUNGE? HOW HAS THE QUEST FOR DIGNITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE GUIDED THE MISSION WORK OF THE ILLINOIS AFRICAN AMERICAN COALITION FOR PREVENTION? Q&A

HOW HAS THE QUEST FOR DIGINTY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE SHAPED MY PERSONAL NARRATIVE? HOW HAS MY PERSONAL NARRATIVE SHAPED MY QUEST FOR DIGNITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE? Dignity & Social Justice Lens PERSONAL NARRATIVE QUEST FOR SOCIALJUSTICE

Dignity & Social Justice Lens Catholic Education Catholic Education Urban Gentrification Urban Gentrification AmeriCorps Public Allies 1995 AmeriCorps Public Allies s Civil Rights Movement 4 Life Experiences That Shaped My Dignity & Social Justice Lens

HOW HAS THE QUEST FOR DIGNITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE GUIDED THE MISSION WORK OF THE ILLINOIS AFRICAN AMERICAN COALITION FOR PREVENTION? VISION Safe, healthy, and resilient African American children, families, and communities. MISSION Established in 2005, the Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention (ILAACP) is a statewide, membership-based charitable organization that strengthens prevention systems, policies, and programs in underserved communities through culturally-relevant research, training, and advocacy.

PREVENTION OF WHAT?

Raise public awareness and consciousness about the social and health disparities negatively affecting Illinois’ African American communities. 4 PILLARS OF OUR WORK Identify, assess, and promote effective and culturally competent prevention initiatives/programs, policies and strategies. Build the capacity of African American organizations to provide high quality prevention and early intervention services through training, coaching, and evaluation. Increase funding and resources for ILAACP members by educating Illinois’ legislators, taxpayers, and others about the cost-effectiveness of prevention and early intervention.

4 PILLARS AT WORK

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR URBAN PLUNGE? 1. Research your host organization’s mission and its service population. 2. Manage your “footprint” expectations. 3. Acknowledge your privilege. 4. Don’t underestimate what you have to contribute.

“What unites our work is a deep and abiding belief in human dignity. We believe every individual has a right to dream, and then to have the opportunity for those dreams to be realized – particularly the dreams and aspirations of poor people, of women, of people who are often left out and left behind. We have a commitment to those people, those communities, and we hold ourselves accountable for that commitment. “ Darren Walker, President Ford Foundation Ebony Magazine Dec. 2013/Jan. 2014

“Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.” Nelson Mandela

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