#LoveYPandJerry
CJ Cross-Johnson
Strategic communications leader | Social media & Digital strategy expert | Event marketing extraordinaire | Champion for equity, advocacy, and impact
On Monday, June 29, 2020 I felt like my world stopped, and that's because it did. One of my very first role models in life, my dear godfather Jerome "Jerry" A. Johnson, passed away in New Jersey. It has been a long summer of healing and trying to resume this new phase of my life without him, especially because grieving during the time of COVID and a racial pandemic is not easy at all.
However, when I think about who the kind of person Jerry was, it drives me to continue on. He was the member of four civil and human rights organizations- the Burlington County Black Caucus, South Burlington County Brand of NAACP. Willingboro & Vicinity Branch NAACP, and the American Legion Post 509. In fact, growing up he would bring me along to quite a few of those meetings and I was amazed at his love for helping people without complaint. It made me proud to become a member of the National Urban League Young Professionals in 2012 and follow his footsteps in doing my part to helping serve and lead for Black people. That is the legacy he left for me that I choose to carry on.
For this reason, I ask that you support my efforts to raise $2,000 this September for the Dallas-Fort Worth Urban League Young Professionals' North Texas Giving Day efforts. Last year with your help, we surpassed our goal of $7,500 and nearly raised $10,000!
Our community engagement and recognition from 2019 - 2020 included:
- 18,521 total volunteer hours
- 22,431 people reached in our census efforts
- 324 people registered to vote
- and over 40 programs
- ... all helping us to be 1 of only 5 nationally recognized President's Distinguished Chapters and the Southern Region Chapter of Excellence!
- ... and we did all of this without a local affiliate!
Now through 2022 I am serving as the DFWULYP Chief of Staff because I believe in the power of this organization locally and nationally. During this time of racial reckoning, the work we do on a day-to-day basis is that much more crucial and critical to the empowerment of Black lives. We are continuing #thework and answering the call to bring services of an affiliate to DFW but we cannot do that without your support as we are a *100% volunteer organization* (and I put in a good 80hrs a month). You can help us help others.
Whether your donation is $10 or $100, I ask that you help me honor Jerry's legacy and make a donation to my FUNdraiser page, #LoveYPandJerry. I thank you so much.