Mission:

The mission of the UWSHR Minority Advisory Council (MAC) is to serve as an advocate for inclusion within the community, and to build and promote cultural diversity within the United Way, its Certified Agencies, and other non-profit organizations to positively impact the quality of life for all.

Interested in Membership? Click here to download our brochure.

Goals:

- Increase minority participation on non-profit boards
- Continue to build partnerships with United Way Agencies
- Increase African American giving through United Way of South Hampton Roads

Our History

The Minority Advisory Council was formally created in December 1990 by the board of directors of UWSHR. In 1991 MAC established its purpose and mission of advising the UWSHR on issues that impact the minority community, serve as an advocate for inclusion within the community, build and promote cultural diversity.

MAC began plans to implement Project Inclusion Leadership Development Program in 1996. Its primary purpose is to increase minority participation in the UWSHR system to identify, recruit, train and refer members of the minority community as effective, knowledgeable members to boards and committees. Nationally recognized by United Way of America as one of the three best practice programs for diversity in the country, Project Inclusion graduates have ben appointed to local non-profit boards in addition to receiving appointments by Virginia Governors to state boards and commissions.

In 2006, MAC met with philanthropic development leaders from other United Ways communities to bring a leadership giving initiative to South Hampton Roads aimed at African Americans known as the African American Leadership Giving Society (AALS). A executive council comprised of corporate, non-profit and community leaders governs AALS. This dedicated group of professionals commit time, energy and financial resources towards increasing leadership giving to build a stronger community.

Members:

Dr. DeLores E. Ray Wilson, Chair
Judy Anderson
Paulette Braithwaite
Sabrina Brown
Marvin Clemmons, Sr.
Beverly Frier-Smith
Jan House
Shirley Hughes
Cynthia James
Geraldine Jones-Daily
Dr. Curtis Langley
Carolyn Lincoln
J.R. Locke
Ardell McCoy
Danielle Mathis
Dr. Lisa Moore
Elijah Purkett
Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond
Michael Scott
Cassandra Thompson
Donna Speller Turner
Cecelia Tucker
Edith White
James Wright
Vernell Young