By Danyale Freeman
Each year, we dedicate Veterans’ Day to commemorating and honoring those who have served in the armed forces as a nation. We often say things like, “Thank you for your service,” in passing, hoping that the simple gesture will be enough of an acknowledgment and a sufficient sign of appreciation. And then the day ends. People go back to their lives, and those same veterans are expected to go about their individual lives, adjusting back to civilian life as best they can, trying to regain a sense of normalcy when it seems that the rest of the world has moved on, until the following year when November 11 comes again.
Except for Black Veterans for Social Justice (BVSJ). Founded in 1979, BVSJ is an organization dedicated to providing programs and services tailored to support military personnel transitioning from active duty and getting re-acclimated to civilian life. Through its unwavering efforts, the organization has supported veterans with social readjustment, housing, employment, medical treatment, and much more. For over 40 years, this organization has prioritized the quality of life of veterans by creating its own table to ensure their prosperity by taking a literal approach to the Black American proverb, “Lift as we climb.”
On Friday, Nov. 15, BVSJ will host its inaugural Veterans Everyday Summit in New York City to expand its mission and reach by bringing together Black leaders across industries to connect veterans with additional resources and opportunities to ensure their success. The summit— uniquely targeted to assist veterans aged 25 to 30—will feature the global credit union Navy Federal as one of the many collaborators contributing to veterans’ betterment and financial empowerment. Additionally, the summit will connect veterans with various resources and opportunities in real time to address the various needs of those within the veteran community. Black leaders across sectors will attend to support BVSJ’s mission of presenting veterans with opportunities and resources to enhance their quality of life.
Speakers slated to be in attendance include Troy Millings, EBONY’s 2022 Power 100 awardee and co-host of the chart-topping “Earn Your Leisure” podcast; Robert Hill Sr., Author and Navy Veteran; Tiara Chesmer Williams, VP and Head of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity at Moët Hennessy; iAsia Brown, Senior Producer at Xbox Gaming Studios and Air Force-Marine veteran and Naila McKenzie, VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at AMC Networks. A fireside chat about financial wellness and related careers will be sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union as well.
Black Veterans for Social Justice’s President and CEO, Wendy McClinton, is a testament to the organization’s knack for uplifting an often underserved and underrepresented community. As a veteran of the U.S. Army and someone who has experienced homelessness after serving her country for a decade, she is the epitome of everything BVSJ represents. “The Veterans Everyday campaign is our response to a critical gap in veteran support,” said McClinton, also a U.S. Army veteran. “In addition to our traditional services, we recognize the unique challenges that emerge from technological advancements, industry trends and economic shifts. To address these, we are expanding our services and creating a continuous ecosystem of empowerment. This is just the beginning of our plan to ensure veterans thrive every day.”
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