Dear Friends:
To state that 2020 was challenging is an understatement. The pandemic wreaked havoc with just about every aspect of life. Nonprofit organizations faced unimaginable obstacles. With that said, we are very proud of our accomplishments as we searched for new ways to help our community.
Over the last few months, we have provided a week’s supply of groceries to over 2,800 local families. That was made possible through our partnerships with agencies such as Feed More which donated over 40,000 pounds of food. Volunteers spent countless hours packing boxes and filling the trunks of cars with the much-needed food. It has been humbling.
We often partnered with health departments by donating our event hall for COVID-19 testing, providing hundreds of people the opportunity to learn their statuses. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and Dr. Danny Avula, Director of Richmond and Henrico Health Departments, often used our hall to update the public on COVID-19 issues as did Richmond School Superintendent Jason Kamras.
We were very honored when Governor Ralph Northam was joined by numerous legislators and supporters in our event hall as he signed the Virginia Values Act which provides complete protection for LGBTQ+ Virginians, making Virginia the first southern state to do so.
Our support of racial equity and justice was a focus when over 1,000 people gathered in our parking lot for the Stonewall Black Lives Matter March. Orchestrated by Virginia Pride and Minority Vets, and supported by numerous other groups, our voices reached new heights for Diversity Richmond.
While we celebrate our accomplishments, we are reminded that none of this would have been achieved it not for you, our donors and volunteers. This organization was founded 21 years ago because it was needed. While the issues may have changed, our community has expanded and the world presents the unimaginable, Diversity Richmond is needed now as much or more than ever.
This annual report is dedicated to you, our community. It is an honor and a privilege to serve you.
Sincerely,
Luise “Cheezi” Farmer
Chair, Board of Directors
William A. Harrison, Jr.
President and Executive Director