Extending Our Reach with Hearts and Hands

From The Desk of President Barbara A. Perkins

A lot is happening for International Black Women Public Policy Institute (IBWPPI) as this is the season for all things new! We have established our new headquarters at the Russell Center of Entrepreneurship and Innovation located at 504 Fair Street, SW, Atlanta, GA. 

We are excited to welcome new board members Coralie Adderley from the Bahamas, Nobuhle Nenque from South Africa, and MarieYolaine Toms from Haïti by way of New York. Joining our distinguished advisory board is the Honorable Katherine Smith, President of the Senate of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. These leaders exemplify our values in connecting and advocating for Black women and girls globally through acts of kindness and public policy. We have added two new women to our staff: 2019-2020 Fellow for Research and Policy Chanelle Brown and Special Projects Manager Jovonda White. 

For two full days, Hurricane Dorian brought unprecedented devastation to a string of islands in the Bahamas. The women of the IBWPPI immediately convened a committee consisting of friends, family and supporters. The outpouring of love for the islands, many on our board are native to, continues to be impressive. We have begun to provide monetary vouchers of $500 per family to the 200 vetted families we have committed to helping over the next year.

Through our GoFundMe campaign, we have collected almost $9,000 USD. Our goal is to give 20 families, each week, a stipend for the next 10 weeks. Would you consider giving any amount towards this initiative?

Know that whatever you give will go directly to the people who need it. We have a “people to people” process, which allows us to cut through the red tape, avoid unnecessary overhead costs, and get the much-needed support directly to these designated families.

Please visit the link for our GoFundMe campaign. You can also donate by visiting our website at www.ibwppi.org and donate via PayPal.

Give to our Hurricane Dorian Relief Campaign

 

IBWPPI Supports Bahamian Families Affected by Hurricane Dorian

IBWPPI’s partner organization RWJBarnabas Health received fire boots donated by Jordan Blasi, Corporate Chief of Emergency Response, International Matex Tank Terminals of Bayonne, New Jersey. These will be distributed to the Bahamas as part of our relief efforts.

Our hearts are heavy from the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian. IBWPPI is set to do our part by continuing the humanitarian work we began there almost five years ago.

IBWPPI has activated its “IBWPPI Boots on the Ground-Bahamas Hurricane Dorian Response” in partnership with Community2Community (C2C) and the Bahamas Kidney Centre Ltd. We have secured volunteers to assembly care packages with toiletries and to collect boots that are sturdy and safe for walking and working in water.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

  1. DONATE. Give what you can because every little bit helps and will go a long way.
  2. SPREAD THE WORD . Share the link IBWPPI Hurricane Dorian Relief Response and ask your family, friends, and co-workers to give.

All donations for this effort will go directly to purchasing the items needed and shipping to the Bahamas. We ask that you help with this first round of funding by donating whatever amount you find possible. We will provide updates on our relief efforts via our Facebook page and website.

 

 

Additional Resources and Information to Help People Affected by Hurricane Dorian

1) Hotline information:  Bahamas National Hotline for Crisis Intervention (1-242-422-2763), operated by the Bahamas Department of Social Services will provide referral to mental health resources upon request.

2) Website for locating loved ones affected by Hurricane Dorian

3) Volunteer forms for professionals in the medical and allied health fields: www.bahamas.gov.bs/health

4) Healthcare Ready is in the Bahamas now supporting medical logistics and is activated in response to Tropical Storm Dorian:  www.Healthcareready.org.

IBWPPI’s 2019 Congressional Black Caucus ALC Activities

 

Thank you to our supporters and members for joining us at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference for the 11th annual Policy Forum “Black Women Lead: A Global Movement Moment” and our South Africa Embassy Reception and Gala.

Policy Forum

At our annual policy forum, sponsored by US Representative Karen Bass of California’s 37th Congressional District, we discussed critical issues affecting women and girls of the African diaspora. Our riveting panel was moderated by author, international speaker, and political commentator Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever, and featured the Honorable Paula Cox, Former Premiere of Bermuda; RWJBarnabas Health Executive Vice President & Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Michellene Davis; and Attorney/IBWPPI Young Ambassador Cortney Walters. We were also joined by the Consul General of the Bahamas, Honorable Astra Armbrister-Rolle who attended on behalf of First Lady of the Bahamas Mrs. S. Patricia Minnis.

 

 

President Perkins Speaking with Businesswoman/Philanthropist Denise Pines of Los Angeles
L to R: The Honorable Astra Armbrister – Rolle, Director Michellene Davis, Moderator Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever, President Perkins, the Honorable Paula Cox, Forum Co-Chair/Young Ambassador Cortney Walters, Forum Co-Chair/Director Juanita Palacios-Sims, Forum Co-Chair/Director Dr. Arla J. Bentley

President Perkins joining the Young Ambassadors on stage

 

 

Human Trafficking

This year, IBWPPI released our first position paper “ Slavery by Another Name: The Epidemic of Black Female Trafficking Victims in the US and Abroad.” With this paper, we will continue our education efforts and advocacy around human trafficking. We encourage you to read this piece and share how you envision using the information in your work. If you have expertise in human trafficking, please contact us at policy.ibwppi@gmail.com.

 

South Africa Embassy Reception and Gala

Friends, supporters and colleagues joined us for an evening of excellence at the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa, Washington DC. We want to thank our gala special guests: Honorary Goodwill Ambassador Albert Smith Jr., Group Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of Toyota Motor North America; Honorary Gala Chairperson Cathy Hughes, Founder and Chairperson of Urban One; and Mistress of Ceremonies Marcia Dyson, Founder and CEO, Women’s Global Initiative.

We received a warm welcome and special greetings from Yoliswa Mvebe, Charge d’ Affaires, Embassy of the Republic of South Africa and words of inspiration from Dr. Lula Ballton, Chaplain of IBWPPI. Guests enjoyed memorable performances by Sandra Waller Massenburg, Tammilee Jules and Roger Isaacs.

Special congratulations to our honorees:

Sandra J. Evers-Manly, President and Founder, Black Hollywood Education Resource Center

Queen Anunay, Battalion Chief, Washington DC Fire Department

Kishia Clemencia, Battalion Chief, Washington DC Fire Department

We are most grateful for our sponsors who made this special evening possible.

Presenting Sponsor: Toyota Motor North America

Gold Sponsors: RWJBarnabas Health and Black Hollywood Education Resource Center

Silver Sponsor: Burrell Communications, NEXTGENFUEL, Hightower’s Petroleum Co., and the Honorable Paula A. Cox , Former Premiere of Bermuda

Friends of IBWPPI: Smith Bean & Co., Image Builders Et Cetera, Michael Eric Dyson Legacy, McGhee Williams Osse and Benton Management Group

Media Sponsors: The Washington Informer and Café Mocha Radio

IBWPPI Director Kathlyn Adams Seay and Young Ambassador/Gala Committee Co-Chair Channell Mellish
Cathy Hughes, Founder and Chairperson, Urban One, Inc. with President Perkins
Ms. PE Nene, First Secretary, Political, Dirco with President Perkins
President Barbara A. Perkins with Gala Attendees and Special Guests
L to R: President Perkins, Honoree Sandra J. Evers-Manley and Toyota Motor North America Group Vice President and Chief Social Innovation Officer Albert Smith, Jr.
President Perkins with IBWPPI Board of Directors

 

Meet IBWPPI ‘s New Board of Directors

Director Coralie Adderley
Coralie Adderley holds a Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees in Health Services Administration. A certified Health Care Executive and Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives, Mrs. Adderley has enjoyed her career in the public and private health care systems in the Bahamas and the United States for over thirty years.

 

Director Nobuhle Reqe
Nobuhle Renqe is a South African from the Xhosa tribe in the Ea stern Cape. She is currently a Senior Manager at Toyota South Africa Motors under the Project Planning and Management Department.

 

 

Director MarieYolaine Toms
With her father’s inspiration, Haitian-born humanitarian and change agent, MarieYolaine Toms transitioned from her corporate career at American Express after the January 2010 earthquake in Haïti, to launch Community2Community (C2C), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The organization’s mission is to create self-sufficient communities by working with the community.

 

Advisory Board Member, The Honorable Katherine B. Smith
The Honorable Katherine B. Smith received her instruments of appointment as a Senator on May 22 nd, 2017 after the historic victory of the Free National Movement general elections in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. She was then elected President of the Senate on May 24 th, 2017.

 

Expanding Our Sister Circle

As we continue to adjust to the new normal, we want IBWPPI to be a home for Black women who want to connect, heal and support one another. Consider gifting yourself with a free membership and joining a network of global Black women. Become a member today by filling out the membership form here.

Why Join IBWPPI?

IBWPPI started 10 years ago in the spirit of global unity and sisterhood. Our mission is to connect and advocate for Black women globally through acts of kindness and public policy. We thank our members and ask that you continue your support of IBWPPI and ask others to join us.

Extending Our Reach with Hearts and Hands

From The Desk of President Barbara A. Perkins

A lot is happening for International Black Women Public Policy Institute (IBWPPI) as this is the season for all things new! We have established our new headquarters at the Russell Center of Entrepreneurship and Innovation located at 504 Fair Street, SW, Atlanta, GA. 

We are excited to welcome new board members Coralie Adderley from the Bahamas, Nobuhle Nenque from South Africa, and MarieYolaine Toms from Haïti by way of New York. Joining our distinguished advisory board is the Honorable Katherine Smith, President of the Senate of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. These leaders exemplify our values in connecting and advocating for Black women and girls globally through acts of kindness and public policy. We have added two new women to our staff: 2019-2020 Fellow for Research and Policy Chanelle Brown and Special Projects Manager Jovonda White. 

For two full days, Hurricane Dorian brought unprecedented devastation to a string of islands in the Bahamas. The women of the IBWPPI immediately convened a committee consisting of friends, family and supporters. The outpouring of love for the islands, many on our board are native to, continues to be impressive. We have begun to provide monetary vouchers of $500 per family to the 200 vetted families we have committed to helping over the next year.

Through our GoFundMe campaign, we have collected almost $9,000 USD. Our goal is to give 20 families, each week, a stipend for the next 10 weeks. Would you consider giving any amount towards this initiative?

Know that whatever you give will go directly to the people who need it. We have a “people to people” process, which allows us to cut through the red tape, avoid unnecessary overhead costs, and get the much-needed support directly to these designated families.

Please visit the link for our GoFundMe campaign. You can also donate by visiting our website at www.ibwppi.org and donate via PayPal.

Give to our Hurricane Dorian Relief Campaign

 

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