In addition to enjoying Thanksgiving leftovers this Friday, take an opportunity to embrace the community at the third annual “I Am my Brother and Sister’s Keeper Day” to promote healing and peace across Virginia.
Event sponsor Delegate Delores L. McQuinn worked with co-sponsors including the Richmond City Task Force to Reimagine Public Safety, the Richmond Branch of the NAACP, and the Baptist Ministers Conference of Richmond and Vicinity to bring music, spoken word and interfaith prayers and messages of healing from leaders across Virginia.
Del. McQuinn introduced House Joint Resolution 38 to establish “I Am my Brother and Sister’s Keeper Day” in response to the racial and social unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia in August, 2017. The resolution passed with unanimous bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam in 2018, designating the Friday after Thanksgiving as a day promoting community healing and peace. Del. McQuinn and her co-sponsors believe the need for healing to be especially urgent today as our community faces challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, racial strife and economic hardship.
This year, due to COVID-19 health concerns, the commemoration will be virtual. It will be hosted by Del. McQuinn and will feature reflections from Governor Ralph Northam, Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn, Delegate Dan Helmer, Delegate Jeion Ward, Mayor Levar Stoney and a diverse group of community and faith leaders, community advocates and student leaders. Viewers will also enjoy creative expressions of healing through music, visual images and spoken word from Desiree Roots, Iman Shabazz, members of the Wolf Creek Cherokee Tribe, Dr. Ram Bhagat and Rev. Dr. Janet K. Copeland.
VPM and the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy serve as the event production partners.
“I Am my Brother and Sister’s Keeper Day” will be available online Friday, November 27 at 1 p.m. on Facebook at @vainterfaith.
