2021 Version, Mission and Vision, (adopted by the Board of Directors, 9/18/2021) for the Edwin Washington Society (the former Diversity Fairs of Virginia)
ARTICLE I – NAME
Bylaw Adopted by the Board of Directors, 9/18/2021: Sec. 1 – The name of this non-stock corporation in the State of Virginia, previously known as Diversity and Equality Fairs of Virginia, shall be known henceforth as the Edwin Washington Society (hereinafter referred to as Society). It shall also be referred to as EWS.
ARTICLE III – MISSION AND VISION
Bylaw adopted by the Board of Directos, 9/18/2021. Sec. 1 – Inspired by the legacy of Edwin Washington and other Blacks in Loudoun County, Virginia during segregation to achieve education and equality, the vision of the Society shall be the development and advancement of diversity and equality for all peoples, especially in education, as well as to support such international bodies as decided by the Society. The Society shall also help empower people to realize their rights; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented.
Sec. 2 – The Society shall also hold such events as it deems proper to advance its projects and the value of a diverse social order, to include the study of the historical foundations, social fabric, and conflicts of society.
Sec 3 – The society may establish additional projects to advocate for diversity, publications that cover any topic of interest to the Board, or join any organization, if the President and/or the Board determine said action would be valuable.
Sec 4 – The Society shall not allow discrimination within its ranks and must advocate for non-discrimination across its programs. The Society shall also try to have as diverse an officer corps, Board membership and volunteer base as possible.
2014 Version: MISSION AND VISION
Sec. 1 – The vision of this Society (DFV) shall be the development and advancement of
diversity in Virginia, the United States and the world, as well as to support such
international bodies as decided by the Society. The Society shall also work for
the protection of all human rights for all people; to help empower people to
realize their rights; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in
ensuring that they are implemented. Note: In 2019, DFV joined CIVICUS, a non-profit associated with the U.N.)
Sec. 2 – The Society shall also hold such events as it deems proper to advance
its projects and the value of a diverse social order, to include the study of the
historical foundations or social fabric and conflicts of society.
Sec 3 – The society may establish additional projects to advocate for diversity,
publications that cover any topic of interest to the Board, or join any
organization, if the President and/or the Board determine said action would be
valuable.
Empowerment Examples: Our largest project, which has been going on since 2014 is to document the heroic efforts of African-Americans to gain an education during segregation. That effort is the Edwin Washington Project.
In 2019, we took over the Bulletin of Loudoun County History.
In 2017, we took over the John Rust Archives.
In 2016 we supported the Islamic Art Show in Loudoun County.
In April, 2015, we responded to calls from local Nepali-Americans to support relief efforts in that country, due to an earthquake.
In 2015, we supported the victims of the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris, feeling this was an attack on freedom of speech and the press.
DFV The Edwin Washington Society 