[#SpecMagShorts] Frederick Ravin & DCABP Inc.: Championing Social Justice, Racial Equity

DURHAM, NC – The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People Inc. (DCABP Inc.), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community-based organization established in 2014, has stood at the forefront to champion Social Justice and Racial Equity since its inception. In this episode of #SpecMagShorts, the Chairman of DCABP Inc., Frederick Ravin, talks about the history of the nonprofit, its work within the community, cooperating with other public and private groups, and how the organization will use the Duke Energy Foundation Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant it received this year. Ravin also tells us about the history of its parent organization, the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People.

Watch [#SpecMagShorts] FREDERICK RAVIN (DCABP Inc.): Championing Social Justice & Racial Equity

DCABP Inc. was established to support, empower, and promote the welfare of the Black citizens in the City of Durham and Durham County. According to the organization’s website, DCABP Inc. works to improve civic, cultural, economic, educational, health, housing, legal affairs, human rights, and youth affairs conditions in this community. Their initiatives prioritize focus areas in Civic, Economic, Health, Housing, and Youth/Education.

DCABP Inc. committees implement vital programs within Durham’s much-neglected minority communities. The organization has led numerous voter registration drives and forums to promote civic participation among Durham’s minority population. They helped to sponsor and co-host “Community Conversations of Racial Equity” workshops held at the Holton Center. The workshop enabled residents to discuss safety and equity for marginalized populations in the education system. DCABP Inc. has also assisted underprivileged minority families to learn about the homeownership process and to recognize injustices such as redlining.

The parent organization, The Durham Committee of the Affairs of Black People (Durham Committee), was created in 1935 with the mission of fighting for civil rights for African-Americans in Durham, North Carolina, an effort that is still needed today.

In the early years of the Durham Committee, its focus was registering voters, finding black candidates to run for office, getting them elected and others appointed to citizens’ boards. They also worked to assure that there would be equality for blacks in education and employment opportunities. The Durham Committee played a vital role in the Civil Rights Movement, hosting Dr. Martin Luther King several times during that time. The Committee is still committed to actively addressing the issues important to the black community. It is continuously seeking new members and keeping up with current issues and providing information regarding events important to the citizens.

For more information about DCABP Inc., click here.

DCABP Inc. is one of 40 organizations across the state that each received a $25,000 Duke Energy Foundation Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant to reduce disparate outcomes, support training, policy, and criminal justice reform, and civic engagement.

“I am excited that Knox Studios, NC Institute for Minority Economic Development, Villages of Wisdom, Mentor NC, and Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People were among the grant recipients and will be supported in their work to break down barriers, spur meaningful dialogue and provide resources and opportunity to the Black community,” says Indira Everett, District Manager at Duke Energy.

Five Durham-based grant recipients will discuss the grant and how it will make a difference in the communities they serve when they appear as guests on Spectacular Magazine’s web-series, “#SpecMagShorts.”

The $1 million in grants and expanded internal programs build upon the company’s past efforts to support and encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion within the company and the communities we serve.

Everett goes on to say, “This is only a start. I, along with other Duke Energy employees, will continue to engage with Durham-based and statewide organizations and leaders to be a part of the long-term solution to the social justice issues our communities face. I am proud to work for a company that makes social justice and racial equity a priority and is taking action to end systemic racism.”

For more information, visit Duke Energy Foundation.