ERASE Racism Receives Unprecedented Gift to Address Segregation on Long Island

Community Advocates, Inc., a Long Island non-profit with a 40-year history as a catalyst for social justice and racial equity, particularly in housing, has given a precedent-setting $50,000 sponsorship to ERASE Racism in support of its 2013 Annual Benefit and its work to ensure that all Long Islanders have equal access to quality,affordable housing in opportunity-rich communities and all children on Long island have equal access to a quality education.

When asked about the decision to give ERASE Racism this major grant, Marge Rogatz, President of Community Advocates responded, “Many people would like to believe that racial prejudice anddiscrimination are no longer a problem, but we know that race still affects the life choices and opportunities of people of color, particularly African Americans and Hispanics, as we can see every day in the highly segregated communities and school districts on Long Island.” She added, “It is clear that where you live determines what opportunities you have, including where your children go to school, how safe the neighborhood is, and what kind of jobs are available. ERASE Racism is the organization on Long Island and in the New York metro-region that is most persistently seeking solutions to these critical structural issues.”

ERASE Racism’s President, Elaine Gross, said that the $50,000 gift is a significant contribution to her organization not just because of Community Advocate’s own history of activism on a modest budget but also because locating funding for nonprofit organizations dedicated to racial equity is becoming increasingly difficult. Ms. Gross explained, “Despite the fact that racism, especially implicit racial biases, promotes an uneven playing field, American society continues to embrace the false notion that we are ‘colorblind’ and no longer recognize race. Consequently, many foundations have changed the language on their funding guidelines to remove mention of race, thereby diminishing its importance to their grant making.” She added that “Community Advocate’s sponsorship is a challenge to other funders to recognize the devastating ways in which racism continues to perpetuate segregation and deny African Americans and Latinos access to those areas that offer opportunity and advancement.”

Community Advocates will be recognized for its precedent-setting sponsorship at ERASE Racism’s 2013 Annual Benefit on June 5th at the Garden City Hotel. Kenneth I. Chenault, CEO and Chairperson of American Express, will receive the Abraham Krasnoff Courage and Commitment Award for his life-time dedication to creating racial justice and promoting racial diversity. Jobco Incorporated will receive the ERASE Racism Corporate Leadership Award for its commitment to increasing quality affordable housing on Long Island.

For more information about the benefit, click here, or call 516-921-4863.