SPECIAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
@empoweretv @empower_etv
empowerthevillage.org info@empowerthevillage.org
Empower The Village, Inc. (ETV) is a data-driven, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2018 to develop, guide and implement breakthrough, scalable strategies that empower Black people, businesses and community organizations to realize their full potential. ETV is on a mission to restore prosperity, peace, and power to the Black community by leveraging its strategic partnerships service delivery model. ETV's Phase One Agenda focuses on a 25-state footprint (inclusive of D.C.) where 90%+ of Black Americans live, work, and own businesses. It takes a village to accelerate transformative change in the Black community alongside strategic intervention and collective action. Join The Village today! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
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A Message From ETV's Founder
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Executive Director's Message
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Leadership Team
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ETV Timeline
8
Strategic Pillars & Programs
19 Community Outreach 27
Financials
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Donors
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Merchandise
33
Acknowledgments
Empower The Village @empoweretv @empower_etv
empowerthevillage.org info@empowerthevillage.org
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
A Message From ETV's Founder & CEO Our Time is Now! We celebrated our emancipation as an “official” holiday — now we are focused on and embracing our move towards empowerment while transitioning from hope to action. I could not be prouder of the work that our Empower The Village team and Village partners have done to empower our community amidst unbelievable crises and challenges! This Special Report provides a window into what we have accomplished together over the past year to combat unprecedented assaults on our physical and mental health, economic well-being, the power to control our destiny, as well as our right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” during these unprecedented times. Whether it is the undeniable and disproportionate impact of COVID-19 that many of us and our loved ones suffered, the insurrection that threatened to upend our democracy because our voices were heard at the ballot box, the violence experienced at the hands of those sworn to “protect and serve” us, or the economic fallout suffered by our small business owners and workers, The Village answered the call to enable ETV to bring its strategic solutions to bear on issues that will define the future of Black America for our lifetime. The renewed sense of urgency around accelerating sustainable progress towards restoring prosperity, peace and power to the Black community is invigorating. However, we must continue to push harder and faster to leverage the opportunities born of the current crises. It Takes a Village so please share this report with others to spread the word about our work and continue supporting ETV so we can “reach the mountaintop” together!
With sincere gratitude,
AYO SANDERSON WILSON Founder, CEO & President 02
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
A Message From ETV's Executive Director Greeting and salutations! 2020 - 2021 has been a watershed period for Empower The Village, Inc. One of the animating forces behind our flurry of activity has been the ever-increasing challenges presented by the multiple crises experienced by our community that required immediate action. From the onset of the pandemic to the social injustices prompting protests, and opportunities presented by the 2020 Election, we found ways to pivot, rise to the occasion and engage The Village by quickly assembling and expanding our team. That exceptional team helped us execute
meaningful programs to benefit the Black and other underserved communities. And, the strength of the ETV team and our Village partners was fully on display at our recent and very successful Juneteenth celebration fundraising event. Animated by both ambition and necessity, we were forced to reimagine our “For The Love of Art" fundraiser and exhibition in a COVID environment. But, rather than scale back our effort, we elevated the vision and scope of our art event. In addition to our 2020 roster, we enlisted the support of the Kente Royal Gallery owner in Harlem, NY, who helped secure other talented artists. Furthermore, both the Montclair Art Museum and the African American Cultural Committee @MAM graciously partnered with us and offered their beautiful campus for the Juneteenth weekend. The outcome exceeded our lofty expectations! We showcased over 100 pieces of art from 21 supremely talented locally and nationally renowned artists, respected book authors, and nearly 200 attendees. Artists are entrepreneurs and in keeping with our Make Every Friday, Black Friday movement, the event art sales increased revenue for those Black business owners and served as a fundraiser with a portion of proceeds donated to ETV's overall mission and programs. So, we’ll briefly pause to highlight our achievements to date, and invite you to peruse the pages of this report where we update the community and stakeholders about the strides ETV has made. Our success has been propelled by willing, generous and enthusiastic supporters and community partners who share our passion and vision, and for this, we thank you! 03
Yours in power,
CHERYL R. EASLEY Executive Director ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Leadership Team Board of Directors PAULA TUFFIN Founder’s Circle - Board Chair General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer Better.com
WANDA SIMS Board Secretary Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Novartis Pharmaceuticals
DARA SANDERSON Founder’s Circle - Board Treasurer Chief Product Officer, The Skimm
PERRI RICHMAN Board Member CEO, The Brand Promise
SANDYE TAYLOR Board Member Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer BMI Inc. 04
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Leadership Team Advisory Council TERRI BORDEN
KIMBERLY BANKS MACKAY
Founder’s Circle Owner, Fashion Forward Philanthropist
BONNIE CARTER Platinum Founder’s Circle Spelman College, Board Trustee Child Advocate & Philanthropist
RHONDA CRICHLOW Founder’s Circle SVP, Chief Diversity Officer, Charter Communications
JENNIFER DASILVA Realtor, Point B Realty
TAMMYE TILLMAN JONES President, North Jersey Smart Set Philanthropist
Founder’s Circle SVP, GC & Corporate Secretary, West Pharmaceutical Services
ANTOINETTE ROWE Founder’s Circle Philanthropist
NIKKI SUMPTER SVP, Chief HR Officer, Atlantic Health System
DENELLE WAYNICK Platinum Founder’s Circle Chief Legal Officer, Saniona
TRACEY WEAVER Neurology Product Manager, UnitedHealth Group
TAYNAYA LEE Instructor, Southwest Airlines Philanthropist 05
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
ETV Timeline 2020 to 2021: ETV Events and Initiatives . . .
We've Been Busy...
Our Breakthrough Social Media Campaigns... Febuary: Black History + Empowerment Month
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
ETV Timeline 2020 to 2021: ETV Events and Initiatives . . .
...Impacting the Village!
...And More to Come!
...Have Garnered A Lot of Attention! March: Women's History + Black Queen Magic Month
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Strategic Pillars The Way Forward . . . Our Roadmap to Results! 08
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Empower The Village Strategic Pillars
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Economic Prosperity Our goals are to increase Black Prosperity, Generational Wealth, Strengthen and Grow Businesses & Prepare Black Americans for 21st Century Opportunities.
Our movement and multi-platform awareness campaign encourages all Americans interested in racial equity to take action to close the wealth gap between Black Americans and other Americans.
This ETV movement establishes a platform to spread the word about how consumers can consistently leverage their individual spending power to support the Black community by patronizing Blackowned businesses in an effort to overcome the economic disparities that serve as roadblocks to Black Prosperity. 10
Black community buying power = ~$1.2 trillion annually ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Economic Prosperity The wealth gap between Black and other Americans is widening, with the net worth of white Americans being approximately 10x more than that of Black Americans (~171k vs 17k net assets). 41% of Black-owned businesses closed temporarily or permanently as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Did You Know? ... The startup capital for Blackowned businesses is only ~ 1/3 of white-owned business start-up capital. The average Black female-owned start-up only raises $30K in capital versus the national average of $5M for start-ups in America. ETV’s Economic Prosperity initiatives enable recirculation of dollars within the Black community and increase financial investment!
BLACK AMERICA & ITS ALLIES HAVE THE POWER TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD FOR BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES! 11
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Economic Prosperity
ETV's Village Black Pages™ (VBP) is a critical resource Americans can rely on to locate Black-owned businesses to support when responding to our charge to Make Every Friday, Black Friday™! Our goal is to elevate the overall prosperity of the Black community by promoting commerce. ETV is already promoting 10,000+ businesses for free and has garnered more than 1,500+ searches in less than 6 months!
We have published 8 VBP directories to date, with more on the way! Black-owned businesses featured in our VBPs have everything you need across 30 business categories. VBPs are updated quarterly to add more businesses and reviewed to ensure the most up-to-date info. Consumers are encouraged to nominate Black-owned businesses to expand the number of businesses supported by The Village.
ST ED JU AS LE
RE
ST ED JU AS LE
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Economic Prosperity This May, ETV launched a spirited 30-day competition that encouraged participants to support as many Black-owned businesses as possible!
3 BFC Teams
ETV’s Black Friday Challenge™ (BFC) is a fun way to measure your impact while supporting our ETV mission to
30+ Businesses Patronized 13 Newly Added Businesses ~ $10K Invested in Black Businesses
empower Black-owned Businesses! Corporations, organizations, and groups can partner with ETV to accelerate its Make Every Friday, Black Friday (MEF/BF) movement by participating in the BFC Power Bingo, Ready, Set, Shop! or Nominations Challenge today! For more details, email: bfchallenge@empowerthevillage.org
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Health & Wellness Our Empower The Village goal is healthier, more peaceful, longer lives for Black individuals and families.
Knowledge Is Power! ETV's mantra! We were pleased to partner with community leaders and organizations to bring COVID-19 education, awareness, testing, and vaccinations to the heart of the Black community in NJ/NY metro.
COVID-19 Testing & Education
Stop The Spread Vaccine Event
ETV partnered with Calvary
ETV's Stop The Spread Campaign
Baptist Church, Zufall Health,
helped hundreds of people navigate
and the Sigma Zeta Lambda
the vaccine registration portals in NJ
Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha
& NY and culminated with the April
Fraternity, Inc. to bring peace of
2nd Stop The Spread Event, in
mind to the community by
partnership with Zufall Health,
offering several COVID-19 testing
Church of God and Christ in
and virus education events, one of
Morristown, and the SZL Chapter of
which offered free flu shots.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Over 700 people served! ETV Leadership participated in community conversations with Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and other leaders about the impact of COVID-19 and advocated for more resources for the Black community. Click here to learn more. 14
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Policy & Power ETV's goals are to broadly mobilize the Black community to shape and develop policies and to cultivate and support leadership advancing our strategic agenda.
Operation: Ballot Box
We are proud to have played a role in helping drive recordbreaking Black turnout at the polls. Our 12-state strategy helped increase Black voter turnout in key swing districts, during a period of COVID-19 fear and voter confusion, suppression, and misinformation, ETV compiled and disseminated official dropbox and early voting information through its Village partners. Our work continues...!
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Policy & Power Operation: Ballot Box Operation: Ballot Box was launched in 2020 to spread information on how and where to vote safely and simply during the presidential election. Information was disseminated throughout 12 key states where large Black voter turnout could decide the election.
Operation: Ballot Box States: Arizona Florida Georgia Iowa Michigan New Jersey North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania
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The 2020 presidential election resulted in one of the highest voter
Texas
turnouts with 63% of
Virginia
eligible Black voters
Wisconsin
coming out to polls! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Policy & Power The Power Post Newsletter In May, ETV launched its monthly newsletter to keep The Village informed about important news, events, initiatives, and opportunities to empower the community.
You can view the newsletters here! Share the link!
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Education & Employment ETV developed the Village Strivers program, an academic and cultural enrichment initiative coupled with employment opportunities for community members. The goal is to create a win-win by leveling the academic playing field for Black students while creating jobs.
Students who receive tutoring are 31% more likely to graduate from high school than students who do not receive tutoring. Those who cannot afford tutoring are at a disadvantage. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the preexisting academic achievement gaps of Black students. Race Matters... Black students who have had just one black teacher by third grade were 13% more likely to enroll in college— those who have had two were 32% more likely to
Click Here to Learn More
pursue higher education.
About ETV's Village Strivers™
ETV's Solution ETV will enlist a cadre of Black professionals and college students of color, with a particular emphasis on those from HBCUs, to act as role models and tutors for our Village Strivers students!
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Community Outreach Special Events 19
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
"Stop The Spread" Vaccine Event Empower The Village, Inc. (ETV) partnered with Zufall Health & the Sigma Zeta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to offer 100+ doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, April 2, 2021 at Church of God in Christ for All Saints in Morristown.
Zufall Health staff enroll participants. Over 100 vaccine doses were administered!
Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and Ayo Sanderson Wilson (ETV Founder) address participants
L to R: Cheryl Easley (ETV), Todd Easley (AΦA), Mark Wilson (AΦA), Ayo Sanderson Wilson (ETV)
Rev. Robert Rogers of Church of God In Christ in Morristown hosted the event, partnering with ETV and Zufall Health Michelle Blanchfield (Zufall Health)
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
"Stop The Spread" & Black Leadership Roundtable Events ETV also participated in a community roundtable with Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and other leaders about the impact of COVID-19 on the Black community.
L to R: Mark Wilson (AΦA) & Marc Turner (AΦA)
L to R: Rev. Robert Rogers, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Ayo Sanderson Wilson (ETV), Eva Turbiner (Zufall Health)
800+ Vaccine Appointments Scheduled Members of the community turn out to get vaccinated at the event
Black Leaders Roundtable event with Rep. Mikie Sherrill
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
"For The Love of Art" Juneteenth Festival Artist = Entrepreneur From oil and acrylic to graphite pencil, sculpture, and mixed media, the 21 artists featured in our "For the Love of Art" fundraiser represent the breadth of Black artistic excellence with 100+ works of art!
Juneteenth Artists Mason Archie BAi Gabrielle Baker Anthony Boone Aleathia Brown Robert Carter Earlene Hardie Cox William Daniels Anthony Gartmond Wilhelmina Grant Curtis Grayson Jimmy James Greene
Kortez Melanie McAllister Demarcus McGaughey Taeesha Muhammad Rosalind "N'Zinga" Nichol Will Porter Ronald Ritzie Danielle Scott William Torbert
ETV conducted its third and most successful "For The Love of Art" Show (June 19-20th) at the Montclair Art Museum, celebrating 22
Juneteenth and Father's Day!
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
"For The Love of Art" Juneteenth Festival Artist = Entrepreneur
For The Love of Art Sponsors Thank you to our generous "For The Love of Art" Sponsors for your contributions to help make this event a tremendous success!
Thank you to our generous "For The Love of Art" Sponsors for making our Juneteenth celebration possible!
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor Contemporary Ladies Book Club
Bronze Sponsors
Bonnie and Michael Carter Donna Lawson 23
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
"For The Love of Art" Juneteenth Festival Artist = Entrepreneur
For The Love of Art Partners Thank you to our generous "For The Love of Art" Partners for your contributions to help make this event a tremendous success!
African American Cultural Committee @ MAM Dodji Gbedemah, Owner @ Kente Royal Gallery Martin Little Catering Priceless Moments Photography The James Gibbs Band
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
"For The Love of Art" Festival Photos
Juneteenth Art Show participating artists
Sampling of Artist Curtis Grayson's work
Artist Aleathia Brown and her art
L to R: Tammye Jones, Dara Sanderson, Ayo Sanderson Wilson, Kim MacKay, Sandye Taylor
Juneteenth Festival attendees enjoying the event
Montclair Art Museum (MAM) indoor gallery
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
"For The Love of Art" Festival Photos
Author Andrew Frazier behind the booth
Artist Kortez
L to R: Susan Johnson and Kelly Jackson Art from Anthony Boone & Kortez
Dodji Gbedemah, owner of Kente Royal Gallery
The incredible Shannon Prevatt
Artist Curtis Grayson
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Art from Wilhelmina Grant (front) & Gabrielle Baker (back)
L to R: Todd Easley, Franklin Williams, George Dredden, Dean Burrell, Mark Wilson
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Our Financials Viability, Sustainability & Growth 27
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Financial Summary An overview of ETV's funding sources shown below:
INDIVIDUAL DONORS (60.5%) CORPORATE FUNDING (8%) FOUNDATION GRANTS (31.5%)
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Empower The Village Donors Founder's Circle ($5,000 - $100,000+)
ETV would like to extend our thanks to our Founder's Circle donors for their generous contributions to advance the mission of Empower The Village, Inc.
PLATINUM
CORPORATE PLATINUM
BONNIE CARTER ANTOINETTE ROWE DENELLE WAYNICK, ESQ.
BRONZE DARA SANDERSON
BETH STEWART
PAULA TUFFIN, ESQ.
MASON ARCHIE
SOZOSEI COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FUND
TERRI BORDEN
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR NORTHEAST FLORIDA
RHONDA CRICHLOW
KIM WENTWORTH AYO & MARK WILSON
KIMBERLY MACKAY, ESQ.
Village Ambassador ($1,000 - $4,999)
ETV would like to extend our thanks to our Village Ambassadors for their generous contributions to advance the mission of Empower The Village, Inc.
ALEATHIA BROWN
TAMMYE JONES
SANDRA SMITH
GABRIELLE BAKER
DONNA LAWSON
NIKKI SUMPTER
DR. JUDY BANKS DONNA BOLES
TAYNAYA LEE DEMARCUS MCGAUGHEY
JENNIFER DASILVA
HECTOR & JUDY MISLAVSKY
MICHELLENE DAVIS
KIMBERLY MONROE
CHERYL EASLEY THE GRADDICK-WEIR FAMILY FUND CARL KARNI-BAIN KORTEZ 29
PERRI RICHMAN FREIDA ROTHMAN DEBRA SANDLER WANDA SIMS
SANDYE TAYLOR KENDRA WILLIAMS AYO SANDERSON WILSON WEST LANE PARTNERS SLACK CORPORATION TREWSTAR CORPORATE BOARD SERVICES CONTEMPORARY LADIES BOOK CLUB ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Empower The Village Donors Thank you for your support of the ETV mission! Village Leader ($500 - $999) JENNIFER JONES-AUSTIN & SHAWN AUSTIN
Village Supporter ($100 -$499) BRIAN AGNEW
MELODY FRANKLIN
ANGELICA ALLEN-MCMILLAN
ANDREW FRAZIER
MIKEISHA ANDERSON
ANTHONY GARTMOND
SONDRA CLARK
ROBIN JOHNSON BAKER
DODJI GBEDEMAH
EARLENE HARDIE COX
ARLENE BASCOM
DR. LISA GITTENS-WILLIAMS
RHONDA CRICHLOW
CELESTE BELL
WILHELMINA GRANT
LIZ & GARY FISCH
CARLAINA BELL
CURTIS GRAYSON
JIMMY JAMES GREENE
REBA BLAKE
CLAUDIA HAMLETT
CAROLYN MASON
MICHELLE BLANCHFIELD
TONI HENDRIX
RANDALL MCMILLAN
SANDERAL BROWN
LAURA HERTZOG
ROSALIND NICHOL
SUE BUCKNER
TANYA HOLCOMB
CATHERINE PEZO
DEAN BURRELL
ROYALYNNE HUNTER
KIAH SANDLER
CHARLYNNE CARSON
VINA ISSAC
SUHA UDDIN
HEATHER CARTER
KELLY JACKSON
JANA WILSON
JESSIE CLAIRVIL
ALISON JACKSON
JACK COX
GWEN JEFFERSON
JEANINE DOWNIE
WILLIAM JIGGETTS
WARACHAL FAISON
SUSAN JOHNSON
MELANDY FRANKLIN
CASTLEIGH JOHNSON
ROBERT CARTER KARL CHARLES-PIERRE
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Empower The Village Donors Thank you for your support of the ETV mission! Village Supporter ($100 -$499) DONITA JUDGE
WALLY YOSAFAT
GARY KELLEY
KATHRYN ZENO
MELANIE MCALLISTER
LESTER TAYLOR FOUNDATION
STACY REED MEVS HOPE MITCHELL AMANDA NGUYEN CHERYL OUTLAW MARJORIE RICH LYNEIR RICHARDSON DANIELLE SCOTT DEMIKEL SHANKLE MARGUERITE SMITH
Village Patron ($50 - $99) ISABEL CALDERON HANS DEKKER SHIRLEY HOLCOMB EDWARD JOHNSON LEGACY LIBATIONS, LLC DOUGLAS MITCHELL
ALAN SMITH
Village Member ($25 - $49)
ALEXANDRA STENNETT
CRYSTAL BROUSSARD
GLORIA SWAN
ANUPA CHARLES-PIERRE
WILLIE TORBERT
ROBERTA MOSELEY
ANDREA TURNER
SHANNON PREVATT
IRA WAGNER JILLIAN WHITE DIANE WHITT
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
ETV Merchandise Click here to support the Village by getting some exciting new merch!
ITEM
PRICE
T-Shirt
$20.00
Sizes: M, L, XL, XXL
Long Sleeve Shirt $30.00 Sizes:M, L, XL, XXL
Mug
$15.00
Click here to support the Village by getting some exciting new merch! Donate $150 or more and receive a 32
free mug!
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Acknowledgements
The ETV Team
ETHAN ASSEFA NINA SLOWINSKI ALYSSA INCE PERRI EASLEY REGINALD LAWSON ALINA SMITH NNENNA EZERA SHANNON PREVATT TAJ WILSON ALEXANDRA STENNETT JOSHUA HAYNES - PRICELESS MOMENTS ANDREA TURNER - SWIVEL WORKS
Thank you to all our supporters for Empowering The Village! 33
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021
Get Involved! Visit our website, reach out via email or follow us on IG, FB and Twitter. Learn about how you can help ETV support the Black community! Click below!
empowerthevillage.org info@empowerthevillage.org @empoweretv @empower_etv
ETV needs your financial support to achieve its mission to Restore Prosperity, Peace, & Power to the Black community in partnership with The Village.
Donate Now 34
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021