RELEASE: Share Our Strength Honors Black Leaders on the Frontlines of Fighting Poverty

’Voices of Resilience’ event spotlighted the ongoing work to fight hunger and generational poverty in Black communities 

Contact: Meredith Jorss, mjorss@strength.org

September 26, Washington, D.C. – On September 20, Share Our Strength hosted Voices of Resilience: Action to Support Children and Empower Community, an event designed to explore pathways to economic mobility so that Black communities thrive. 

Held to coincide with the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, the event included a panel discussion, moderated by Alencia Johnson, in conversation with Jotaka Eaddy and Dr. Michael McAfee, followed by a reception honoring the contributions of the Black leaders, policymakers and activists who have collectively spent decades on the front lines of the fight against systemic and generational poverty. 

“For nearly 40 years, our organization has been working to help solve childhood hunger in the U.S., most recently through the No Kid Hungry campaign, Yet, we know that it takes more than food to end hunger,” says Ashanti Lewis, Associate Director of Federal Government Relations at Share Our Strength. “As we work to address the root causes of food insecurity, the Congressional Black Caucus is a vital partner in raising awareness about the issue of childhood hunger and in implementing solutions to ensure children, families, and communities are able to live without hunger and poverty and have what they need to thrive.”

The event concluded with the presentation of awards to two ardent leaders supporting efforts to address childhood hunger, State Representative Toni Rose (TX-110) and Jotaka Eaddy. 

Working alongside No Kid Hungry Texas, a campaign of Share Our Strength, Rep. Rose was instrumental in securing critical funding in the state budget to eliminate the cost of reduced-price breakfast, ensuring 70,000 more Texas kids will receive nutritious meals each day.

“Everyone knows when a kid goes to school hungry they can’t focus,” said Rep. Rose at last week’s event. “And when they can’t focus, they can’t learn.”

Jotaka Eaddy has spent her career working with a diverse group of lawmakers, community organizations and local leaders to champion policies that lift up communities and fight systemic poverty.

On why the issue of poverty and hunger is so central for her, Eaddy said, “My ‘why’ is making sure that people who are pushed to the margins are put back into the center of this country so they have the dignity and the ability to live and thrive as we all should.”

For photos from the event click here.