Affordable Virginia Celebrates Black History Month with Student Production at Virginia Wesleyan
Virginia Beach, VA – Affordable Virginia joined Freedom Virginia and community partners in supporting Virginia Wesleyan University’s Black History Month program, A Dream Deferred. This production explored Black excellence and encouraged the audience to examine their idea of what it means when society promises certain outcomes and opportunities, but turns its back when those markers are met by Black citizens.
“We were proud to sponsor this event and support these young Black leaders in their mission to effect change at their university and beyond,” said Joseph White, Affordable Virginia Organizing Director. “Empowering the next generation to learn and celebrate their history is essential to building an equitable future. With programs celebrating Black history under attack, sharing these stories is more important than ever. I was inspired by this production and hope that these young people will stay motivated to stay the course and keep their shared history alive. If we are serious about building an equitable future, leaders like Rep. Jen Kiggans must stop voting to gut Medicaid and SNAP for Black families.”
Despite strides made since the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement, Black Americans are still among those most impacted by changes to social programs, including those recently cut by the Republican Tax Law, supported by Rep. Jen Kiggans:
Black families are more impacted by cuts to Medicaid, with nearly 60% of Black children relying on the program to access health care.
Rural, majority-Black communities face hospital closures because of Medicaid cuts. In Franklin, residents could lose Southampton Medical Center, the only emergency care within 36 miles.
Nearly 1 in 4 Black families rely on SNAP and will be impacted by cuts to the essential nutrition program.
Photo Credit: Joshua Stubbs