The Charleston Area Justice Ministry will host its 12th annual Nehemiah Action - the Lowcountry's largest yearly gathering that focuses on addressing systemic issues in local communities - at 7 pm on April 15th at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church (7396 Rivers Ave., North Charleston).
This event is expected to draw more than 1,500 people who will advocate for equity in education, the restoration and revitalization of Gadsden Creek, and reducing racial bias in policing. The event will also celebrate Charleston County Council's decision to allocate $4.15 million in accommodation tax revenues towards an affordable housing trust fund - an effort that CAJM's Housing Committee has advocated for over the past six years.
"We are excited to leverage our collective people-power to press our elected officials to create systemic change that will uplift all members of our community," said Rev. Dr. Adam Shoemaker, co-president of CAJM and rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.
The Nehemiah Action is the culmination of several months of house meetings that last fall engaged roughly 1,000 Charleston residents. Following the house meetings, CAJM members voted in October to take on a new education campaign in addition to our ongoing work around policing and environmental justice. Throughout the winter, CAJM organizers and Network Members met with several elected officials and subject matter experts to identify solutions to these community problems. At the Nehemiah Action, we will work to solicit commitments from public officials to implement solutions.
Confirmed guests at this year's event include Charleston County School Board Members Keith Grybowski, Darlene Roberson, and Courtney Waters, Charleston County School District Superintendent Anita Huggins, and Charleston County Council Members Kylon Middleton and Rob Wehrman.
