Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) announced on Monday, June 14, new educational and humanitarian initiatives related to their ongoing collaboration. This effort represents the church’s ongoing desire to teach and live the two great commandments: to love God and neighbor.

This ongoing collaboration will “bring relief to suffering souls in underprivileged areas of the United States” and “teach important principles of self-reliance.” To accomplish this objective, the church pledged a $2 million annual contribution for the next three years “to encourage service and help to those in need.”

The church also commited to fund a $1 million scholarship donation each year for three years, overseen by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), to help young black students throughout the United States.

In addition, the church will provide $250,000 for an Amos C. Brown Student Fellowship to Ghana to permit American students the opportunity to learn more about their heritage. “On this week of Juneteenth—a time designated to remember the end of slavery in the United States — we are honored to join with our dear friends from the NAACP and the UNCF to announce these goals and our shared vision,” Nelson stated.

Upcoming Celebration: The Atherton and Woodruff Wards will be celebrating Independence Day on Saturday, July 3, at the Atherton building, located at 6500 E. Atherton St. in Long Beach. The celebration will begin at 9 a.m. with a flag raising, followed by patriotic music, an inspirational speaker, a potluck breakfast, and a decorated bicycle parade. Invite friends and neighbors to join in honoring America’s declaration of independence.