The Community Group

The Community Group, formed in 2002, is a grassroots African American organization in Montgomery County, Va. We are dedicated to the enrichment of the African American community in Montgomery County, Virginia through political action, education, leadership, and economic empowerment (community investment).

Goals and Objectives

• Developing a higher level of visibility in local civic affairs
• Promoting collective civic engagement
• Encouraging political involvement
• Developing leadership and business skills
• Enhancing the African-American climate for generations to come
• Initiative and Community and Civic Engagement Highlights

Promote Youth Empowerment

• Graduation gift cards
• Youth panel presentations on issues
• Black History Quiz Bowl
• Grants for summer youth programs
• Grants for Community Center tutoring program
• Financial Aid Information Workshop for Parents and Students

Dialogue on Race

The Community Group started and sponsored the Dialogue on Race. This grassroots program works  for change to end racism against African. Americans. The group focuses on five issue areas identified by the members of the  African American community. The five issue groups are:

• Education: Issue that African American students receive unfair, differential disciplinary treatment (in comparison to whites).
• Law enforcement: Addressing racial profiling; and achieving proportional numbers of African Americans on local police forces.
• Limited Presence: Adressing the small number of African Americans on public boards and commissions.
• Jim Crow/White Privilege: Raising community cultural awareness in regard to white advantages in systems, policies and practices.
• Employment/Income Gap: Closing the income gap for African Americans.
• Education:  Addresses the systemic racism and bias in schools.
  

Established in 2005, the New Mountain Climbers is the first giving circle in Virginia’s New River Valley. All of the Community Group Board members belong to the giving circle.