Local Church Demonstrates Support for the Black Community

by Linda McMillian

NORTH FULTON, GA —Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery and this year it also documented the continuing relationship between the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the NAACP.

On June 19th at Marietta Square under the direction of the Cobb NAACP and the City of Marietta, North Georgians of various ethnicities and faiths, including representatives from Roswell Stake (diocese) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gathered together to recognize the historical significance of the day and work as one to educate, promote harmony and find joy in fellowship.

Prior to the event, local Church members assisted the NAACP by requesting needed community volunteers via Justserve.org. The website is maintained as a gift to the local community providing a free service to help link community volunteer needs with volunteers.

Answering the call, Latter-day Saints and others from Atlanta and the North Atlanta suburbs volunteered to help set up for the occasion.

The free event included family activities with entertainment, food, vendors, music, information booths, voter registration, raffles and health screenings.

Church volunteer Pam Klomp remarked, “The Juneteenth Event posted on Justserve.org intrigued me as I had only learned last year of the importance and cause for celebration that the date June 19, 1865 holds within the Black community. I signed up with a friend to help volunteer by setting up booths for Black business owners before the event began…”

“It was an exciting, awesome experience to share in celebrating Juneteenth with the Black community! New partnerships and friendships were formed through serving together to celebrate a momentous day in American history. A great personal take-away from the day's events- we can develop friendships and love with people who do not share the same life experiences as ourselves through service.”

The local volunteer efforts were supported by and reflective of an even greater movement within the Church to recognize and assist the Black community in the United States.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President, Russell M. Nelson, recently announced a number of both academic and philanthropic initiatives, in coordination with the NAACP, totaling a contribution of over $9 million from the Church.

The sum includes a $1 million educational scholarship donation per year for three years, overseen by the United Negro College Fund to help Black students and a $250,000 grant to provide students from the United States an opportunity to learn about their heritage in Ghana.

Additionally allocated are $2 million in humanitarian contributions per year for the next three years to teach important principles of self-reliance and help those in need in underprivileged areas of the United States.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson, himself a graduate of a United Negro College Fund university, spoke of the strength of each initiative. “We are honored to continue this partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints…,” he said. “We are the church, we are the NAACP, we are God’s people. This announcement today can allow us to stand proud together.”

“Leaders of the Church have found common ground with the NAACP as we have discussed challenges that beset some of God’s children,” the Church President added. “The challenges are huge, and our capacities are limited. But together we want to make a difference, even though our efforts may seem relatively small.”

Nelson further explained,“These efforts represent an ongoing desire of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to teach and live the two great commandments — to love God and neighbor.”

More information about the Church's work in conjunction with the NAACP.