1 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:15,690 So Hello everyone, my name is Rashaan 2 00:00:15,690 --> 00:00:18,660 Grinch. And I just recently got involved 3 00:00:18,660 --> 00:00:21,630 with WIBCA. I am a young, aspiring entrepreneur 4 00:00:21,630 --> 00:00:23,490 who's looking to make an impact in this 5 00:00:23,490 --> 00:00:26,760 community. I studied Communication Studies 6 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:29,340 at Vanier college. And for me, I've always 7 00:00:29,340 --> 00:00:31,770 felt like I've had the gift of gab. So 8 00:00:31,830 --> 00:00:34,020 being a part of WIBCA, for me is really 9 00:00:34,020 --> 00:00:35,730 important, because I really want to help 10 00:00:35,730 --> 00:00:37,800 to lead the younger generation, to now 11 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:41,010 becoming the leaders of tomorrow. And by 12 00:00:41,010 --> 00:00:43,410 doing that, I need to lead by example, but 13 00:00:43,410 --> 00:00:45,570 also use my skills and my abilities to the 14 00:00:45,570 --> 00:00:48,570 best that they can be used. So being a 15 00:00:48,570 --> 00:00:50,610 part of WIBCA, for me right now is just 16 00:00:50,610 --> 00:00:52,110 the beginning because of all the great 17 00:00:52,110 --> 00:00:54,270 opportunities that lies ahead. And I'm 18 00:00:54,270 --> 00:00:56,580 very, very much looking forward to getting 19 00:00:56,760 --> 00:00:57,570 getting them going. 20 00:00:58,440 --> 00:01:01,470 Hi, my name is Kemba, I'm the chairperson 21 00:01:01,530 --> 00:01:03,210 of the West Island Black Community 22 00:01:03,210 --> 00:01:07,230 Association. And I am, I would say a 23 00:01:07,230 --> 00:01:10,320 dynamic black mother of two 24 00:01:10,320 --> 00:01:15,300 daughters. Wibca to me is family, it's 25 00:01:15,300 --> 00:01:19,050 community. And we're really just I would 26 00:01:19,050 --> 00:01:20,640 have to say, in the West Island, 27 00:01:21,090 --> 00:01:22,710 considered to be the community 28 00:01:22,710 --> 00:01:27,480 cornerstone. So we impact lives, we've 29 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:32,820 been impacting lives for 38 years. And I 30 00:01:32,820 --> 00:01:35,100 have to say that it's been a phenomenal 31 00:01:35,250 --> 00:01:39,240 experience being a part of just the impact 32 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:41,790 that we have in the community. Very 33 00:01:41,790 --> 00:01:42,690 grateful to be here. 34 00:01:45,420 --> 00:01:49,950 My name is Eileen White. And I've been 35 00:01:51,270 --> 00:01:57,930 part of the, the foundation, of WIBCA. I'm 36 00:01:57,930 --> 00:02:00,420 married, my husband is Lyford White, I 37 00:02:00,420 --> 00:02:07,200 have two daughters, adult daughters, and I 38 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:09,900 have a son that is an adult, but he is 39 00:02:10,170 --> 00:02:15,240 presently in Toronto. We have been 40 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:19,470 involved with WIBCA from the 41 00:02:19,470 --> 00:02:25,200 foundation. And it has been, you know, 42 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:30,240 part of the backbone of the black 43 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:34,500 community on the west island for over 44 00:02:34,740 --> 00:02:36,330 30 years, 38 years. 45 00:02:37,110 --> 00:02:47,010 Since 1982. I find that it was productive 46 00:02:47,070 --> 00:02:53,100 in informing the community on the west 47 00:02:53,100 --> 00:03:01,560 island to help us as blacks (to) integrate into 48 00:03:01,590 --> 00:03:08,490 the Canadian society. I know that WIBCA has 49 00:03:08,490 --> 00:03:14,820 been very, has produced quite a few, you 50 00:03:14,820 --> 00:03:18,960 know, intelligent, black youth that 51 00:03:19,350 --> 00:03:24,510 turn into beautiful young men and women 52 00:03:24,960 --> 00:03:28,680 and we are proud of, of being here at what 53 00:03:28,680 --> 00:03:29,640 we have done. 54 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:39,870 Well, you know, first we have to know who 55 00:03:39,870 --> 00:03:45,210 we are as a person, and especially a 56 00:03:45,210 --> 00:03:50,070 person of color. And once we have 57 00:03:50,070 --> 00:03:53,340 established that, we have to learn how to 58 00:03:53,340 --> 00:03:56,670 integrate ourselves into, you know, this 59 00:03:56,670 --> 00:04:00,090 month multiracial society that we are in. 60 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:06,960 I like what I see. I like to see our young 61 00:04:06,960 --> 00:04:11,310 people getting involved and carrying the 62 00:04:11,310 --> 00:04:15,630 torch that we are very proud to have lit. 63 00:04:16,530 --> 00:04:18,960 You know, being black, in Montreal, 64 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:22,980 particularly being Anglophone. It is 65 00:04:23,190 --> 00:04:27,180 extremely difficult, challenging, and 66 00:04:28,620 --> 00:04:30,870 we're in it, we're in it. We've been 67 00:04:30,870 --> 00:04:34,140 fighting for this. You know, since 30 68 00:04:34,170 --> 00:04:36,870 years ago, when WIBA came about, we will 69 00:04:36,870 --> 00:04:41,250 not stop and this is who we are. And we 70 00:04:41,250 --> 00:04:43,380 are advocates for our people in our 71 00:04:43,380 --> 00:04:44,970 community. And 72 00:04:46,530 --> 00:04:47,340 we 73 00:04:48,450 --> 00:04:49,950 we will continue to fight and do what we 74 00:04:49,950 --> 00:04:54,060 can to support and advocate for persons of 75 00:04:54,060 --> 00:04:54,420 color. 76 00:04:58,380 --> 00:05:00,570 Yeah, no, that's that's great and as 77 00:05:00,570 --> 00:05:03,990 Mrs.White and Kemba mentioned, intentions 78 00:05:03,990 --> 00:05:07,140 for WIBCA, starting back in 1982 till 79 00:05:07,140 --> 00:05:09,360 today, those intentions have still stayed 80 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:11,160 the same and it's really to make sure that 81 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:15,330 we can provide education and also advocate 82 00:05:15,330 --> 00:05:17,880 for people in the community which will 83 00:05:17,910 --> 00:05:20,250 ultimately benefit them and help to enrich 84 00:05:20,250 --> 00:05:22,590 their lives to help strengthen the 85 00:05:22,590 --> 00:05:26,640 community. For myself, as a young black male 86 00:05:27,270 --> 00:05:30,300 there's always constant challenges even as 87 00:05:30,300 --> 00:05:33,120 examples you know applying for a job and 88 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,270 you know just kind of getting through the 89 00:05:36,270 --> 00:05:39,660 gatekeepers of you know some people that 90 00:05:39,660 --> 00:05:44,370 may have just racial intentions just might 91 00:05:44,370 --> 00:05:46,170 not want to see when the positions that 92 00:05:46,170 --> 00:05:48,150 they fear that you could take from them 93 00:05:49,050 --> 00:05:52,440 it's it's a constant challenge as Kemba 94 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:57,120 mentioned but really the youth and and the 95 00:05:57,120 --> 00:06:00,030 inclusivity that we want to try to provide 96 00:06:00,660 --> 00:06:02,340 is really going to help to strengthen 97 00:06:02,340 --> 00:06:04,950 everyone and it's really going to have to 98 00:06:04,950 --> 00:06:07,830 take a team effort because these things 99 00:06:08,190 --> 00:06:10,890 these these racial injustice problems that 100 00:06:10,890 --> 00:06:14,190 we're facing have been here for for quite 101 00:06:14,190 --> 00:06:18,060 some time so to dismantle that and to 102 00:06:18,060 --> 00:06:21,120 re-educate people and to help to enlighten 103 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:22,680 people to let them know that there are 104 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:25,290 those opportunities and to help to create 105 00:06:25,290 --> 00:06:28,170 the new leaders of the future it's going 106 00:06:28,170 --> 00:06:31,950 to take a complete team effort but also 107 00:06:31,950 --> 00:06:33,840 it's going to make sure we do need to make 108 00:06:33,840 --> 00:06:36,480 sure that we put our best foot forward 109 00:06:36,900 --> 00:06:39,990 because this time may quickly pass us and 110 00:06:40,230 --> 00:06:41,940 with the problems going on in today's 111 00:06:41,940 --> 00:06:45,120 world one thing could lead to the next 112 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:47,460 very quickly and very important issues can 113 00:06:47,460 --> 00:06:49,230 be missed if they're not acted upon. 114 00:06:52,260 --> 00:06:57,330 With the onset of COVID immediately our 115 00:06:57,330 --> 00:06:59,700 concern was the members of our 116 00:06:59,700 --> 00:07:02,790 organization because there's a large group 117 00:07:02,820 --> 00:07:06,090 of seniors that we support and cater to 118 00:07:06,510 --> 00:07:10,980 and we understood that you know there will 119 00:07:10,980 --> 00:07:15,330 be further isolation and in parallel we 120 00:07:15,330 --> 00:07:20,940 also identified the need to address you 121 00:07:20,940 --> 00:07:23,280 know the anti-black racism and systemic 122 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:28,710 racism in Montreal and we initiated these 123 00:07:28,710 --> 00:07:31,620 virtual town halls. These virtual town 124 00:07:31,620 --> 00:07:35,100 halls which were live on zoom stream live 125 00:07:35,100 --> 00:07:38,250 on facebook enabled the community to come 126 00:07:38,250 --> 00:07:42,060 out and to speak to our elected officials 127 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:47,790 and our SPVM speaking on how you know the 128 00:07:47,790 --> 00:07:50,910 overt systemic discrimination affects 129 00:07:50,940 --> 00:07:54,300 people of color primarily black people and 130 00:07:54,300 --> 00:07:59,280 this was very successful and actually 131 00:07:59,280 --> 00:08:01,680 allowed the opportunity for us to be 132 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:06,270 highlighted on a huge level and with that 133 00:08:06,300 --> 00:08:08,370 we got we received the much needed 134 00:08:08,370 --> 00:08:12,090 attention in terms of volunteers, people 135 00:08:12,090 --> 00:08:14,580 who wanted help volunteer in terms of 136 00:08:14,580 --> 00:08:18,240 donations and so it allowed us to continue 137 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:20,550 offering our programming which is all free 138 00:08:20,550 --> 00:08:23,850 to the community and this was this to me 139 00:08:23,850 --> 00:08:27,960 was based on an unfortunate incident in 140 00:08:27,960 --> 00:08:30,240 terms of the murder of George Floyd but 141 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:33,360 ultimately helped the organization in 142 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:37,500 terms of resources and to be able to 143 00:08:37,500 --> 00:08:40,260 continue servicing the community the 144 00:08:40,260 --> 00:08:43,950 organization the idea the concept came 145 00:08:43,950 --> 00:08:48,480 from two women the late Norma husband's 146 00:08:48,930 --> 00:08:52,410 and Margaret Jolly and these are the 147 00:08:52,410 --> 00:08:55,530 founders of WIBCA and the reason why 148 00:08:55,710 --> 00:08:57,210 they came about is because they were 149 00:08:57,210 --> 00:08:59,580 looking for organized activities for their 150 00:08:59,610 --> 00:09:02,160 for their children. And so this is where 151 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:05,430 the concept came about and one of the 152 00:09:05,430 --> 00:09:08,340 first interactions they've had in terms of 153 00:09:08,370 --> 00:09:11,580 with another association was with the YMCA 154 00:09:12,330 --> 00:09:16,470 and this led to you know the activities 155 00:09:16,470 --> 00:09:20,370 for you and also allow the opportunity for 156 00:09:20,580 --> 00:09:22,770 at that time, caribbean, english speaking 157 00:09:22,770 --> 00:09:24,600 caribbean families that were coming to the 158 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:27,270 west island, a place to congregate because 159 00:09:27,270 --> 00:09:30,240 there was nowhere else to go and 160 00:09:31,230 --> 00:09:34,290 yeah. Yeah we used to meet 161 00:09:34,920 --> 00:09:39,090 primarily at the YMCA and then we 162 00:09:39,090 --> 00:09:42,990 were going from chalet to chalet and after 163 00:09:42,990 --> 00:09:45,450 a while that got to me and said: "why are we 164 00:09:45,450 --> 00:09:48,330 going all over the place so run 165 00:09:48,330 --> 00:09:53,400 everybody's house to the chalets to the 166 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:58,920 church basement to everything" so i decided 167 00:09:58,920 --> 00:10:01,530 no we got to do Something and we started 168 00:10:01,530 --> 00:10:05,280 the fundraising. And from the fundraising 169 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:11,550 that went over very well. We had bake 170 00:10:11,550 --> 00:10:16,830 sales and parties and dances and concerts 171 00:10:16,830 --> 00:10:20,070 and anything that can bring funds towards 172 00:10:20,070 --> 00:10:22,740 dinner parties, each one would host a 173 00:10:22,770 --> 00:10:26,100 dinner party at their house. And say: "When 174 00:10:26,100 --> 00:10:28,740 you're coming, bring the checkbook!" So 175 00:10:28,740 --> 00:10:31,470 that, you know, we made all that donation. 176 00:10:31,470 --> 00:10:34,770 And that was what produced our building. 177 00:10:37,140 --> 00:10:42,180 From the the building, which I think, sort 178 00:10:42,180 --> 00:10:46,980 of bring some stability to us. Now we have 179 00:10:47,220 --> 00:10:50,580 somewhere. We wished we had a place where 180 00:10:50,580 --> 00:10:53,430 they could play. The idea was very big, 181 00:10:53,670 --> 00:10:56,850 where we wanted to have a basketball court 182 00:10:56,850 --> 00:10:59,010 and all that, but the money was not that you know. 183 00:10:59,070 --> 00:11:05,760 Yeah. So. Okay, yeah. So that's an 184 00:11:05,760 --> 00:11:06,060 excellent, 185 00:11:06,090 --> 00:11:10,410 yeah. So the money was not enough for the 186 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:13,140 to give us the basketball court and all of 187 00:11:13,140 --> 00:11:16,890 that, but we managed to achieve some 188 00:11:16,890 --> 00:11:21,810 stability by coming to Fourth Avenue. So 189 00:11:24,330 --> 00:11:30,480 from that, you know, we have, I've seen the 190 00:11:30,480 --> 00:11:33,720 growth, you know, when you have somewhere 191 00:11:34,020 --> 00:11:37,680 stable, where people can identify, and 192 00:11:37,680 --> 00:11:42,540 come and free to, you know, have your 193 00:11:42,540 --> 00:11:45,870 meetings or meetings and whatever small 194 00:11:45,870 --> 00:11:50,280 function we can put on there. It gives us 195 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:55,800 some pride. When you when I pass there, 196 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:57,960 and I see West Island black Community 197 00:11:57,960 --> 00:12:01,860 Association, we're starting somewhere, and 198 00:12:01,860 --> 00:12:04,650 I'm very proud of it. It's like we have a 199 00:12:04,650 --> 00:12:09,240 stadium, you know, in my eyes, you 200 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:16,050 know, and I feel very good that I came to 201 00:12:16,050 --> 00:12:21,810 this country and I have done something 202 00:12:22,170 --> 00:12:26,070 with my life, I've done something in my 203 00:12:26,070 --> 00:12:31,470 community that I feel proud of, and I 204 00:12:31,470 --> 00:12:37,140 know that I have lit the torch. And I'm 205 00:12:37,140 --> 00:12:40,500 happy to know that there are people like 206 00:12:40,980 --> 00:12:46,110 Kemba that are taking this torch 207 00:12:46,680 --> 00:12:47,730 to another level. 208 00:12:48,809 --> 00:12:52,829 Can you tell us a bit about how you were 209 00:12:52,829 --> 00:12:55,469 involved with this building because this 210 00:12:55,469 --> 00:12:57,959 is just like you said, it's something that 211 00:12:57,959 --> 00:12:59,159 we're all very proud of. Yeah, 212 00:12:59,190 --> 00:13:03,720 but we still, I started by having a dinner 213 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:07,650 party at my house. And I said to them: 214 00:13:07,650 --> 00:13:11,430 "When you coming, bring the checkbook." And 215 00:13:12,390 --> 00:13:16,440 there was a running joke in with the 216 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:19,020 guys used to say Peaches is coming hold 217 00:13:19,020 --> 00:13:22,800 your purse, hold your pocket. She's going to 218 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:26,790 shake it off. Because I thought that, you 219 00:13:26,790 --> 00:13:29,280 know, people always say Penny Penny don't 220 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:32,580 work. But I can tell you it does work. I 221 00:13:32,580 --> 00:13:36,270 said to them, the penny turn into $1 into 222 00:13:36,270 --> 00:13:39,540 $2 tree dollars, because I will sit down 223 00:13:39,540 --> 00:13:42,150 and I'll count the pennies. I don't know 224 00:13:42,150 --> 00:13:44,040 if you see that water bottle that is up. 225 00:13:44,040 --> 00:13:47,430 Yeah, I took it there with pennies in it. 226 00:13:48,030 --> 00:13:51,120 Yes, it had pennies and quarters and 227 00:13:51,120 --> 00:13:54,660 things. I said it's there. And that is the 228 00:13:54,660 --> 00:13:57,600 foundation for us to get a building. Wow. 229 00:13:58,110 --> 00:14:02,040 We started it and they didn't think, people 230 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:04,770 didn't think it would work. But I said you 231 00:14:04,770 --> 00:14:09,210 know, every organization, every program 232 00:14:09,210 --> 00:14:12,360 that we put up, we have to have at least 233 00:14:12,360 --> 00:14:16,590 10% from that profit comes to the building 234 00:14:16,590 --> 00:14:19,200 fund. And that was what helped us to 235 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:21,870 achieve that building fund there was a lot 236 00:14:21,870 --> 00:14:25,110 of bake sales and dinner parties and 237 00:14:25,140 --> 00:14:28,410 everything that you know, everybody was 238 00:14:28,410 --> 00:14:32,070 happy, to participate because I said 239 00:14:33,120 --> 00:14:37,110 it's not Peaches' building it is all of us' 240 00:14:37,140 --> 00:14:43,710 building. Whether you put $1 or you put a 241 00:14:43,740 --> 00:14:48,420 penny or you put nothing. It belongs to 242 00:14:48,420 --> 00:14:49,470 all of us. 243 00:14:50,940 --> 00:14:53,700 Making sure that this community center is 244 00:14:53,700 --> 00:14:56,370 accessible to all but also that there's a 245 00:14:56,370 --> 00:14:59,340 feeling of inclusion. It's very important 246 00:14:59,340 --> 00:15:02,700 for our youth all the way to our most 247 00:15:02,700 --> 00:15:05,250 senior members to have those conversations 248 00:15:05,250 --> 00:15:07,800 because time as we know it is going so 249 00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:11,280 quickly we could miss out on everything 250 00:15:11,280 --> 00:15:13,260 that we have right now and not be able to 251 00:15:13,260 --> 00:15:16,170 pass that information on and really make 252 00:15:16,170 --> 00:15:19,980 the most impact where it's needed. So the 253 00:15:19,980 --> 00:15:22,050 programs that we have, and it's a part of the 254 00:15:22,050 --> 00:15:23,850 mission, it's really to help make sure that 255 00:15:23,850 --> 00:15:26,520 we get everybody together and that we have 256 00:15:26,520 --> 00:15:30,990 the collaboration and participation from 257 00:15:30,990 --> 00:15:34,020 both the youth, the adults, the seniors and 258 00:15:34,020 --> 00:15:36,450 that goes you know into some of the 259 00:15:36,450 --> 00:15:38,250 programs that are there that we have that 260 00:15:38,250 --> 00:15:39,960 we'll be able to discuss but it's 261 00:15:39,960 --> 00:15:42,030 important that we have that inclusiveness 262 00:15:42,210 --> 00:15:44,700 so that everybody could feel that their 263 00:15:44,700 --> 00:15:47,580 voices are heard but that also helped to drive 264 00:15:47,580 --> 00:15:50,190 the innovation of the future of where 265 00:15:50,190 --> 00:15:51,480 we're looking to go. 266 00:15:53,759 --> 00:15:54,389 yeah 267 00:15:56,100 --> 00:15:58,230 that goes on to like our next slide 268 00:15:58,230 --> 00:16:02,760 talks about the vision right. So for me at 269 00:16:02,760 --> 00:16:06,330 this moment the vision I see for WIBCA is 270 00:16:06,330 --> 00:16:09,900 to be truly, to offer a fully functional 271 00:16:09,900 --> 00:16:12,750 community center that again like Rashaan 272 00:16:12,750 --> 00:16:15,900 said is accessible to everyone you know. We do 273 00:16:15,900 --> 00:16:18,660 have the property, we do have the 274 00:16:18,660 --> 00:16:21,720 space now we have to make sure that we use 275 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:25,200 every room every corner of that area of 276 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:28,410 that space. To host our workshops or 277 00:16:28,410 --> 00:16:31,650 programs you know, to support entrepreneurs 278 00:16:31,920 --> 00:16:36,060 to have our meetings, to socialize, 279 00:16:36,780 --> 00:16:40,170 we want to really make our mark in this 280 00:16:40,170 --> 00:16:43,170 community and to really make sure that 281 00:16:43,170 --> 00:16:44,490 EIBCA is a household name. 282 00:16:44,820 --> 00:16:47,010 The vision that I see for WIBCA, and the 283 00:16:47,010 --> 00:16:50,040 biggest part of why I joined, is to make it 284 00:16:50,430 --> 00:16:54,150 in a way kind of like a YMCA but more 285 00:16:54,150 --> 00:16:57,030 importantly it better serves our community 286 00:16:57,570 --> 00:17:01,230 to help the youth and also the black males 287 00:17:01,230 --> 00:17:04,830 that may not feel like they're heard. We're 288 00:17:04,830 --> 00:17:07,410 in a position that they feel like they 289 00:17:07,410 --> 00:17:09,240 don't feel like they can move forward with 290 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:11,940 themself but now give them an opportunity 291 00:17:12,180 --> 00:17:14,550 to help lead some of the programs to become the 292 00:17:14,550 --> 00:17:17,640 leaders of tomorrow so that everybody is 293 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:19,740 able to learn from that and that's where 294 00:17:19,740 --> 00:17:21,990 we can create mentorship. So it's really to 295 00:17:21,990 --> 00:17:25,920 create a community center that is kind of 296 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:29,400 based around the YMCA business model but 297 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:31,470 in a sense it better serves our community 298 00:17:31,470 --> 00:17:33,570 to support them where it's needed the most. 299 00:17:33,960 --> 00:17:36,090 Some of the vision visionary things that I 300 00:17:36,090 --> 00:17:37,650 see with WIBCA is really in the 301 00:17:37,650 --> 00:17:40,980 programming and that includes things like 302 00:17:40,980 --> 00:17:44,400 coding, technology and even STEM so the 303 00:17:44,400 --> 00:17:47,640 Sciences Technology Engineering Math these 304 00:17:47,640 --> 00:17:50,730 are very important subjects that our youth, 305 00:17:50,760 --> 00:17:52,980 adults and seniors all need to be involved 306 00:17:52,980 --> 00:17:55,860 with, coding especially for the children 307 00:17:55,860 --> 00:17:57,300 because there's so many technology 308 00:17:57,300 --> 00:18:00,060 companies now that we use on a daily basis. 309 00:18:00,210 --> 00:18:03,120 We need to have some of our people you 310 00:18:03,120 --> 00:18:06,390 know black young males, young females, we 311 00:18:06,390 --> 00:18:08,130 need to have them involved because these 312 00:18:08,130 --> 00:18:10,710 companies are going to drive the way that 313 00:18:10,710 --> 00:18:13,530 we live our lives so it's important for us 314 00:18:13,530 --> 00:18:15,720 to get involved and I also think it's 315 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:18,150 important to have leadership training and 316 00:18:18,150 --> 00:18:20,460 to make sure that people feel confident 317 00:18:20,460 --> 00:18:21,960 about themselves because people could 318 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:25,530 suffer from self-esteem, anxiety, loneliness, 319 00:18:25,530 --> 00:18:27,570 depression and WIBCA's mission is 320 00:18:27,570 --> 00:18:29,190 really to help relieve all of that. 321 00:18:32,670 --> 00:18:34,410 I really think the vision has always been 322 00:18:34,410 --> 00:18:37,710 there it's just a matter of getting 323 00:18:37,710 --> 00:18:42,270 the resources ato be able to really 324 00:18:42,270 --> 00:18:46,710 get them aligned but I'm so excited for 325 00:18:46,950 --> 00:18:49,860 you know what's to come and just 326 00:18:50,100 --> 00:18:53,070 continuing to build this amazing team of 327 00:18:53,070 --> 00:18:56,910 volunteers and it's just a really good 328 00:18:56,910 --> 00:18:57,690 moment at this point. 329 00:18:59,160 --> 00:19:02,610 I am very proud of you guys you know I'm 330 00:19:02,610 --> 00:19:11,430 glad that I am part of the torch that get 331 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:16,710 things started and I am very very proud of the 332 00:19:16,710 --> 00:19:19,680 people who have been we've been going step 333 00:19:19,980 --> 00:19:21,900 by step. There are some people who had to 334 00:19:21,900 --> 00:19:25,290 move on or move away or whatever and 335 00:19:25,890 --> 00:19:29,730 people still believing in us and the concept 336 00:19:29,940 --> 00:19:33,960 of the black community and when we started 337 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:38,280 with it was really badly needed at 338 00:19:38,280 --> 00:19:41,880 that time you know. So I'm really 339 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:44,910 glad that I have been part of that 340 00:19:44,910 --> 00:19:48,270 foundation and I hope that it will 341 00:19:48,990 --> 00:19:53,730 continue to be. You know I'm at my age now 342 00:19:53,730 --> 00:19:56,910 I'm passing the torch to all of you guys 343 00:19:57,690 --> 00:19:59,250 to take it and run with it 344 00:19:59,610 --> 00:20:01,920 and we need it, the community really needs WIBCA 345 00:20:02,700 --> 00:20:05,280 And you know what? A lot of people feel 346 00:20:05,280 --> 00:20:09,510 that, in my age group, they have been a 347 00:20:09,510 --> 00:20:13,500 part of WICBA and they feel that they must 348 00:20:13,500 --> 00:20:16,230 step back now and disappear. You don't 349 00:20:16,230 --> 00:20:19,230 disappear! No. Because if you disappear, 350 00:20:19,230 --> 00:20:21,630 this foundation is breaking away. It's 351 00:20:21,630 --> 00:20:24,240 just like a building. If the foundation is 352 00:20:24,330 --> 00:20:26,520 chipping away the building is going to fall, 353 00:20:26,820 --> 00:20:29,070 you'll have to have the foundation there. 354 00:20:29,190 --> 00:20:32,100 We want all seniors to come and we'll seat in our wheelchairs 355 00:20:32,100 --> 00:20:36,000 and proceed to seat down and see what you guys doing. 356 00:20:36,030 --> 00:20:39,000 Yeah, you know, that's my dream. And I 357 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:41,340 don't know, maybe I am probably dreaming too 358 00:20:41,340 --> 00:20:47,010 big. But I'm not going to, you know, 359 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:51,420 throw away my dream. Because that's 360 00:20:51,420 --> 00:20:54,660 what I want. I want to look on. Yeah, put 361 00:20:54,660 --> 00:20:58,170 her hat and shoes on and wheel her out 362 00:20:58,170 --> 00:21:01,770 make sure she sees what we do. That's what is my 363 00:21:01,770 --> 00:21:02,160 dream. 364 00:21:02,999 --> 00:21:05,069 Yeah, the continued support is very 365 00:21:05,069 --> 00:21:08,219 important because the conversations, the 366 00:21:08,219 --> 00:21:12,449 stories, the experience, just everything, 367 00:21:12,449 --> 00:21:13,889 the skill sets, and just the type of 368 00:21:13,889 --> 00:21:16,739 people that were there as a part of where 369 00:21:16,739 --> 00:21:19,889 WIBCA started, it's imperative to 370 00:21:19,889 --> 00:21:21,779 have them there so that people are able to 371 00:21:21,779 --> 00:21:24,419 see firsthand, you know, where this all 372 00:21:24,419 --> 00:21:27,329 came from, it wasn't an overnight thing. 373 00:21:27,629 --> 00:21:30,899 And to add to what you were saying before 374 00:21:30,899 --> 00:21:33,119 Mrs. White regarding, it's difficult 375 00:21:33,119 --> 00:21:35,399 getting people involved. I think, you 376 00:21:35,399 --> 00:21:37,019 know, as Kemba mentioned, as well, with 377 00:21:37,019 --> 00:21:39,659 social media, it is definitely easier to 378 00:21:39,659 --> 00:21:41,099 get the message out there. But I think 379 00:21:41,099 --> 00:21:44,849 it's important to even just, you know, 380 00:21:45,179 --> 00:21:49,349 really try to put people in place 381 00:21:49,349 --> 00:21:51,779 so that we can still, kids youth can 382 00:21:51,779 --> 00:21:54,269 see that there are people, you know, like 383 00:21:54,269 --> 00:21:55,859 people like myself, I got involved, 384 00:21:55,859 --> 00:21:58,049 because I know that there's friends of 385 00:21:58,049 --> 00:22:01,799 mine that are very talented, and very 386 00:22:01,799 --> 00:22:04,109 smart and good at what they do, but just 387 00:22:04,109 --> 00:22:06,029 maybe feel like they, they need that 388 00:22:06,029 --> 00:22:08,849 little extra push. So I'm willing to take 389 00:22:08,849 --> 00:22:11,009 it on myself to say, you know, what, if it 390 00:22:11,009 --> 00:22:13,889 means that I have to now step in, and you 391 00:22:13,889 --> 00:22:18,209 know, be a part of the example and lead by 392 00:22:18,209 --> 00:22:19,319 example. 393 00:22:20,280 --> 00:22:23,190 The building is there it is there, the 394 00:22:23,190 --> 00:22:27,180 doors are open, come in, you know, 395 00:22:27,210 --> 00:22:29,910 that's what it is. It doesn't cost you 396 00:22:29,910 --> 00:22:32,610 anything to come in. We are just 397 00:22:32,610 --> 00:22:36,840 identifying who we are here, it does not 398 00:22:36,840 --> 00:22:39,330 stop, because you might be white, or 399 00:22:39,330 --> 00:22:42,540 Chinese or whatever you can come, the door 400 00:22:42,540 --> 00:22:46,260 is open to everyone, you come. And as long 401 00:22:46,260 --> 00:22:48,180 as you're not coming to break it up, 402 00:22:48,180 --> 00:22:51,750 you're coming to contribute to the...I don't 403 00:22:51,750 --> 00:22:54,090 mind what color you are or whatever you 404 00:22:54,090 --> 00:22:56,850 ware. Yeah, that's what we're all about. 405 00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:58,710 And I think that's what sets us apart, 406 00:22:59,850 --> 00:23:02,730 because we are so inclusive, you know, 407 00:23:03,510 --> 00:23:05,220 anyone become become a member. 408 00:23:07,500 --> 00:23:09,960 So the basically, in a nutshell, the motto 409 00:23:10,290 --> 00:23:13,050 is really: ÈThe greatness 410 00:23:13,050 --> 00:23:14,790 of a community is most 411 00:23:14,790 --> 00:23:17,100 accurately measured by the compassionate 412 00:23:17,130 --> 00:23:19,620 actions of its members." So really what 413 00:23:19,620 --> 00:23:22,320 Mrs. White was touching on, when you know, 414 00:23:22,320 --> 00:23:24,030 you were saying that you are there to 415 00:23:24,030 --> 00:23:25,500 count the pennies, you're there if 416 00:23:25,500 --> 00:23:27,840 somebody has nothing in their pocket, 417 00:23:27,840 --> 00:23:30,180 you're there, if they have a dime, $1, 418 00:23:30,180 --> 00:23:33,510 everything adds up. And I think with all 419 00:23:33,510 --> 00:23:35,430 of our members, making sure that we can 420 00:23:35,430 --> 00:23:37,530 get everyone on board, and making sure 421 00:23:37,530 --> 00:23:39,120 that people feel like they're being 422 00:23:39,120 --> 00:23:41,550 included, for some of our senior members, 423 00:23:41,550 --> 00:23:43,500 making sure that they don't just, you 424 00:23:43,500 --> 00:23:46,050 know, leave as they feel like now their 425 00:23:46,050 --> 00:23:48,750 time is done. The continued support is 426 00:23:48,750 --> 00:23:50,970 very important to continue to make sure 427 00:23:51,120 --> 00:23:54,300 that the foundation is in place. But as 428 00:23:54,300 --> 00:23:56,040 we're now passing this torch on to this 429 00:23:56,040 --> 00:23:58,950 younger generation, myself included, that 430 00:23:58,950 --> 00:24:02,820 we are there, and we know how all of these 431 00:24:02,820 --> 00:24:05,100 things came about, what it's going to take 432 00:24:05,100 --> 00:24:07,230 the perseverance, you know, the 433 00:24:07,230 --> 00:24:09,450 persistency, making sure that, you know, 434 00:24:09,450 --> 00:24:12,210 we're able to overcome any obstacle that 435 00:24:12,210 --> 00:24:14,340 may come our way. COVID has created a lot 436 00:24:14,340 --> 00:24:17,010 of challenges for us, oh, just going back 437 00:24:17,010 --> 00:24:19,680 to the quote, you know, the Compassionate 438 00:24:19,680 --> 00:24:21,960 action of our members, if we have enough 439 00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:24,660 people to make sure that we're, you know, 440 00:24:24,660 --> 00:24:26,370 getting the programs out there, we're 441 00:24:26,370 --> 00:24:28,200 getting the youth involved, we're getting 442 00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:30,000 the engagement from the senior members, to 443 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:33,270 the adults, all of that wall contribute to 444 00:24:33,270 --> 00:24:36,690 making the best, the best that we could do 445 00:24:36,690 --> 00:24:39,120 really, with helping the community 446 00:24:39,120 --> 00:24:42,600 Association grow and also to sustain 447 00:24:42,600 --> 00:24:45,120 itself and you know, what, you know, it's 448 00:24:45,120 --> 00:24:47,220 just really it's gonna start from this but 449 00:24:47,220 --> 00:24:49,110 there's no, there's no way we could say 450 00:24:49,110 --> 00:24:51,780 that we won't be able to get to there's so 451 00:24:51,780 --> 00:24:55,800 many opportunities now. The things 452 00:24:55,800 --> 00:24:57,720 that we have in place to be able to make 453 00:24:57,720 --> 00:24:59,220 sure that we can make the impact that we 454 00:24:59,220 --> 00:24:59,790 want to make. 455 00:25:02,280 --> 00:25:05,970 This is us, this is WIBCA. I see it as 456 00:25:05,970 --> 00:25:08,010 the past, the present 457 00:25:08,010 --> 00:25:08,970 and the future. 458 00:25:09,630 --> 00:25:11,550 So but all one family. We need each other, we help each other. 459 00:25:15,330 --> 00:25:18,480 Yeah, we have to keep the past because the 460 00:25:18,480 --> 00:25:21,330 past is what is going to show the 461 00:25:21,330 --> 00:25:27,150 foundation of the association. And, and we 462 00:25:27,240 --> 00:25:29,580 the foundation wants to see what everybody 463 00:25:29,580 --> 00:25:34,650 else is doing. It gives us that pride that 464 00:25:34,650 --> 00:25:40,170 we did something that, you know, we all 465 00:25:40,170 --> 00:25:43,800 can be happy that we participated in. Yeah, 466 00:25:43,949 --> 00:25:45,809 yeah, we we're going to continue to grow 467 00:25:45,809 --> 00:25:47,759 those channels. We're going to continue to 468 00:25:47,759 --> 00:25:49,499 have those conversations. And I think 469 00:25:49,499 --> 00:25:52,229 it's, it's so important now, more than 470 00:25:52,229 --> 00:25:55,469 ever for us to take action. Because we 471 00:25:55,469 --> 00:25:57,899 really need to make the most of this time 472 00:25:57,899 --> 00:26:01,049 that we have. We want to get people 473 00:26:01,049 --> 00:26:02,819 involved because we want to make sure that 474 00:26:02,819 --> 00:26:05,099 people are a part of the solution and not 475 00:26:05,099 --> 00:26:07,289 falling behind and staying in the past 476 00:26:07,409 --> 00:26:11,339 where things have not been working in 477 00:26:11,339 --> 00:26:14,189 pretty much most people's favors. So we 478 00:26:14,189 --> 00:26:15,899 want to really make, help to create that 479 00:26:15,899 --> 00:26:18,239 change. But it starts with being a part of 480 00:26:18,239 --> 00:26:20,699 the solution and we're here to help make 481 00:26:20,699 --> 00:26:21,329 that happen.