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coalition that will work to recognize the victims of lynching in Montgomery County by collecting soil from lynching sites, erecting historical markers, and claiming Montgomery County's memorial from the national EJI memorial.

In recognizing and taking responsibility for this part of Montgomery’s history, we can generate honest conversation about the inequities that still plague our community, and collectively work to reach Montgomery’s full and incredible potential.

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Dillon Nettles and Phillip Ensler

Co-chairs

Montgomery Community Remembrance Project

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE MONTGOMERY COMMUNITY REMEMBRANCE PROJECT'S ADVISORY COUNCIL!

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Dear Members of the Montgomery Community,

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We are pleased to invite you to nominate a community leader or apply yourself, to become a member of the Montgomery Community Remembrance Project’s Advisory Council.

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Your input will help us assemble an Advisory Council that will have a unique opportunity to continue to shape Montgomery’s promising future. 

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The Equal Justice Initiative has called on counties throughout the country to truthfully acknowledge and take ownership of their history of lynchings and racial strife. EJI’sNational Memorial for Peace and Justice features monuments commemorating victims of lynching in each county. EJI has duplicate monuments for each county that they have invited counties to claim and install in permanent homes in the counties they represent. 

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The end goal is not to just physically place the monument. Rather, it is part of a community process in which EJI requires counties to create a community coalition to tell the truth and foster reconciliation. The goal is not to shame, but rather to heal, so the community as a whole can move forward. 

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The Montgomery Community Project began in response to EJI’s call to action. The Project had its initial community meeting in May of this year, and has quickly moved forward with community members volunteering on a governance committee, events/communications committee, and a research committee. 

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The Project’s vision is to work toward “achieving reconciliation within our communities and creating a just and equitable society by shining the light of truth on our past and present racial injustices.”

Our mission is to:

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■     Acknowledge the victims of racial terror by placing the Montgomery memorial monument and collecting soil samples at sites of violence.

■     Educate the community by storytelling and sharing the history of racial terror with our community.

■     Heal by recognizing the families and communities affected by racial terror and hosting community discussions.

■     Advocate for a just and equitable society by supporting racial justice.

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The Project will not be a permanent entity. Rather, the Project will be ongoing until the coalition feels it has helped tell the truth and reconciliation has occurred. We then anticipate existing community organizations and social justice organizations in Montgomery continuing the necessary work towards racial justice and equity. 

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Thus, it is expected that the Advisory Council will exist and meet only for the duration of the Project. There will be quarterly, weekday meetings starting in November.

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In order for the Project to be successful, it must reach and include people and perspectives of many walks of life in Montgomery. 

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Advisory Council members are responsible for advising the Project’s committees on community norms and expectations and for helping build trust with the community at large. Advisory Council members are expected to remain informed about the Project and to inform others. They will serve as ambassadors and advocates for the Project. Members are expected to promote attendance at the Project’s scheduled events and activities. 

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If you are nominating someone, you must inform them of these responsibilities and they must consent to them before you submit their nomination. 

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Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and to consider being a part of or nominating someone for the Montgomery Community Remembrance Project’s Advisory Council. If you are interested in being a member or nominating someone to be a member, please fill out the application linked below or return it via e-mail at mgmremembers@gmail.com.

We are accepting applications through close of business on October, 4 2019, and anticipate selecting Advisory Council members no later than October 18, 2019. 

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We are also available to discuss any questions you may have. You can reach any of us at the e-mail listed above.

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Sincerely,

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Dillon Nettles, Phillip Ensler, & Camille Anderson-Finley

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Read about the MGM Remembers in the Montgomery Advertiser