by Ashante, Guilford For All Organizer In Training
Freedom Summer is here and Freedom Gatherings are now live! Neighbors joined together in solidarity Tuesday night in Guilford County for our first Freedom Gathering.
Folks took time to lean into others’ purpose for being at the Gathering and to connect. The root of many of the conversations were feelings of isolation, uncertainty, and lack of participation. Neighbors also discussed many of the harmful narratives that are spread across the country, ones like brokenness is mostly our fault, and you have to hustle to be rich. Neighbors made it clear that there are people who benefit from our struggles and there are things we can and will do to make collective change and dismantle these stories.
In the first half, we united through song, a freedom sound that echoed through the walls of the church. Ty, a chapter organizer with Carolina Federation, then led us through a powerful story of self starting with her initial hesitation one year ago, to what led to her saying “yes” to being a member of Guilford For All. Her mother hyped up the room with an emotional proclamation of her proudness and motivation to join in with her daughter. A triumphant story of frustration, self-discovery, and determination, Ty’s family is fired up to take collective action.
We highlighted our wins in Ole Asheboro the past year, such as getting the city to clean up dozens of bulk trash locations that had been rotting in the neighborhood for months and some over a year. We gathered around to uplift all the revolutionaries and freedom fighters who fought before us for voting rights, unions, public education and so much more. We welcomed family and friends near and far that inspire us to show up and to keep going. The fact of the matter is when we come together across the lines of differences, we can make real change.
At the home stretch, folks committed to bringing along more friends, family, and neighbors to join in on our next Freedom Gathering and take on future volunteer roles. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for!
Join us for the next Freedom Gathering!
Tuesdays, 5:30-6pm (Food) | 6-8pm (Gathering)
St. Stephen United Church of Christ in Greensboro
1000 Gorrell St.
June 27
July 11
July 25
August 8