Dear Reader,
In 2001, my son, Khaaliq, was murdered over a parking spot dispute. He was a young social worker, determined to serve children and families in our community. Together, we were going to start an organization that would do just that.
I felt so much grief and trauma after his death, and I thought I could heal best if I connected with people who had also lost their children to violence. When I couldn’t find that organization anywhere in Philadelphia, I started Mother’s in Charge, Inc., in 2003.
Building a successful nonprofit is really hard. I lived and understood the mission, and I knew the people I wanted to reach and help. But things like accounting, putting together grant applications, and getting the word out about our work — the things that are crucial to establishing a strong organization — were completely new challenges for me.
Then I met Equal Justice USA. They understand what organizations like mine need to grow strong. They understand that healing must be delivered to everyone effected by violence in this country. Healing trauma is a foundation of their work to transform our justice system, to reduce violence, and to create safe communities.
I hope you can take a few minutes to read EJUSA’s new report, Healing Trauma, Changing Narratives: EJUSA’s Trauma & Healing Network. In it you’ll find stories about me and four other leaders making a powerful impact in the communities we serve. And you will also understand how YOU make our success possible by investing in EJUSA.
The timing feels right as our nation experiences the biggest need for collective healing in modern history.
I’m so proud and so glad to have met the folks at EJUSA. They are my friends forever.
Warmly,
Dr. Dorothy Johnson-Speight
Founder and Executive Director
Mothers in Charge, Inc.
