their critical roles as trendsetters
and change makers, and the
need to demand the things they
deserve.
CVH Power!’s endorsed candidates,
Cordell Cleare, Selvena
Brooks-Powers, and Crystal
Hudson were also in attendance,
and spoke with members about
their appreciation for the organization’s
support in winning
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Community Voices Heard
Power! (CVH Power!) hosted
a “Friendsgiving” Brunch on
Saturday, November 13, 2021, to
honor members for their activism
in the 2021 elections, and to
set their organizational agenda
for 2022. The brunch, which was
held at The Riverside Church,
also served as a re-launch of
their “Follow Black Women”
survey, designed to assess the
needs of Black women in their
communities, and to identify
ways to support and grow their
power.
“Today’s event was the relaunch
of our ‘Follow Black
Women’ survey, and a thank you
to the volunteers whose commitment
and dedication helped
elect our endorsed candidates,”
said Juanita Lewis, Executive
Director of CVH Power!. “In 2021
we demonstrated the power of
Black women in helping to elect
dynamic candidates like Cordell
Cleare, Selvena Brooks-Powers,
and Crystal Hudson. Looking
ahead to the New York Governor’s
race, we want to ensure
that the issues of Black women
and our communities are front
and center, and that we are
seated at the tables where narratives
are shaped, and agendas
are set.”
Stephanie Officer, Digital
Reporter for InsideEdition.com,
and Anchor for 1010 WINS was
the event’s keynote speaker
and stressed the importance
of Black women remembering
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“Thank you to CVH Power!
for being an ally and a support
to Black women who have long
been the behind-the-scenes leaders
in our communities. And
more specifically, thank you
for recognizing that leadership
in me,” said Cordell Cleare, the
Senator-Elect chosen to represent
Harlem’s 30th Senate District.
“For far too long, Black
women have had to work in the
background, but through the
support of organizations like
CVH Power! we are able to rise
to positions of influence and
help shape the direction of our
communities.”
During the event, members
held small group discussions
about their priorities for 2022,
and the needs of their respective
communities as they continue to
recover from the devastation of
the ongoing COVID pandemic.
“The pandemic took a toll
on us in so many ways. This the
first time in nearly two years
that we have been able to come
together in fellowship face to
face to discuss promoting the
‘Follow Black Women’ Survey
and our other organizational
priorities,” said Cheryl Watts, a
Board Member of CVH Power!
from Rosedale, Queens. “I’m
excited to be here with my CVH
Power! sisters, and I look forward
to more events like this designed
to empower Black women
to enter the political arena.”
Community Voices Heard
Power! is a multiracial member
led organization that builds
power through grassroots political
organizing. We work to
change systems and shape policies
to ensure racial, social, and
economic justice for all New
Yorkers.
We seek out, politically educate,
train, encourage, and
support aspiring candidates
of color; as well as individuals
who support our agenda to advance
low-income communities
of color across our four chapters:
New York City, Westchester
County, Orange County, and
Dutchess County.
Find out more at https://www.
cvhpower.org.
COMMUNIT Y S P OT L IGHT
Community Voices Heard Power! Hosts “Friendsgiving”
Brunch to Celebrate Community Leaders, Set Agenda for 2022
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/awards
/InsideEdition.com
/www
/www
/cvhpower.org
