Clever Communities in Action (CCA) receives $10,000 grant from Virginia Humanities to further talks about race in Hampton Roads through our LAAW (Literacy As A Weapon) Scholars program. We are excited to be one of 12 local nonprofits that received $93,000 in grants in February as part of the “Beneath the Surface” program. The program, which kicked off in May 2019, explores race and its history in the region. It was organized by Virginia Humanities and the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.

The LAAW Scholars program will provide a medium to uncover the hidden truths to youth ages 16 – 21 so they can use the knowledge to enlighten their peers and positively impact their communities as they plan their lives and career goals as adult citizens. CCA will use the critically acclaimed book, The Color of Law as the information source or weapon, to open minds and arm future generations with knowledge for better understanding of the world in which they reside and how they can begin to facilitate change at a young age. 

Clever Communities In Action (CCA) is pleased to announce we received a $5,000 social justice grant from Dominion Energy to support the fourth season of the Virtual Village Show and 11th annual Read to L.E.A.D Initiative. Dominion Energy and its charitable foundation are committing $5 million to help community reconciliation and rebuilding across the company’s 20-state footprint. The funds will support non-profit organizations advocating for social justice and equality. With support from Dominion Energy, CCA will continue its mission by donating 200 culturally affirming books to students in Norfolk and Portsmouth. In addition, the Virtual Village Show will continue to thrive with foundational literacy instruction, Black history facts and book recommendations to keep literacy and culture at the forefront for children and families during the pandemic and over the summer.

Since the first week of school closings, Starr Armstrong, founder of Clever Communities In Action and Rodney Jordan, Norfolk School Board member teamed up to create a live virtual read-in to support our families, while staying safe at home.  Over 50 readers consisting of educators, authors, youth advocates, parents and children, news reporters and more participate in reading African American Children’s literature. As a result of this effort we received a grant from Truist Financial Corporation to support us in expanding our work surrounding literacy, culture and enrichment. The grant is part of the financial services company’s Truist Cares initiative, a $25 million philanthropic pledge announced in March to support basic needs, medical supplies and financial hardship relief due to COVID-19.