About

The Social Justice Committee of Falls Church and Vicinity is a network of community members, civic organizations and faith groups exploring how to create a local culture united in diversity. The Committee’s vision is to “honor the diversity reflected in the many faces of our one community” with a mission of engendering hope, respect and healing.

The Committee’s initial activities have included Social Justice Sunday (under the theme “Message in the Music”) following the Tinner Hill Blues Festival last year, a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day program following the 2019 march arranged by the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, and an interactive workshop entitled “Breaking the Silence: Having Difficult Conversations About Race.” Several new initiatives are currently under consideration.

Nikki Graves Henderson founded the Committee after the violent rally in Charlottesville, VA in August 2017, realizing that something similar could happen in any location. Her doctoral research at the University of Maryland, College Park – which focused on racial identity development and racial socialization – showed that racism, discrimination and similar attitudes are not inherent but, most often, are taught, learned through observation, based on fear of different groups or built on a false sense of superiority to other groups.

Building on a corresponding belief in learning with and getting to know one another, the Committee continues to evolve – exploring ways to build and strengthen relationships across differences while developing individual and organizational skills to address social justice issues affecting our community, with a particular emphasis on race relations.

Operating under the auspices of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, Committee membership remains open to all. A network of more than 100 interested community members stands ready to respond rapidly to community challenges by linking them with possible solutions. A working group meets more regularly to work to turn ideas into reality.

Shout Out for Justice

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Supporting Voting Rights

Saturday, January 22
Noon-1 PM
Along Broad Street

As our nation honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 17, the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (“The King Center”) and the King family are marking their observance with a call to pass critical voting rights legislation. The King Center was founded “to empower people to create a just, humane, equitable and peaceful world by applying Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy and methodology.” One of the ways The King Center strives for these goals is by protecting voting rights. You can honor Dr. King’s legacy and support ongoing efforts to restore and secure voting rights for all Americans by joining FCPC and members of our community on Saturday, Jan. 22, from noon to 1 p.m. along Broad Street for our next Shout Out for Justice event. Learn more about the mission of The King Center here. Read more about critical voting rights legislation here and here.

Resource Collection Form

chair

Mr. Phil Christensen

Secretary

Mr. Frank Burdette

Treasurer

Mr. Mike Everett

Upcoming committee meetings

Social Justice Committee Meetings occur virtually on the third Sunday of each month, 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Make history visible

In this extraordinary time, the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation Board and staff want to extend empathy, concern, and hope to its volunteers, interested audiences, and to all who value life, justice, and freedom.

The THHF recognizes both the difficulties of our isolation and the opportunities this change offers. We want to remind everyone that our organization continues to plan programs and prepare for future growth, even as we adjust to the presence of this viral menace. The 2020 Tinner Hill Music Festival is postponed, but it will take place next year on June 12, 2021 with major headline acts and with the participation of local musicians, vendors, and volunteers. It promises to be an event worth waiting for, even if the wait is longer than usual.

The THHF wants to reassure everyone that the organization will also plan for other annual programs, whether they are held virtually or actually. The THHF will look for opportunities to join with other groups and entities in seeking justice and equality for all races. To that end, by January of 2021, the THHF and its Social Justice Committee will organize a program focused on events that threaten black lives and the rights of all. We will look for more opportunities in the more immediate and later future to Make History Visible, knowing now, more than ever, that recognizing what the past can teach us will gird us for the battles to come. We wish you all a safe and fulfilling summer. We look forward to seeing you and working with you over the months to come.

Board of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation