One America Movement and Democracy Funders Network invite you to join us for Experience Danville, a premier opportunity to explore the forces shaping American experiences of economics, race, religion, culture, and democratic narratives in rural and small-town America.
Danville, Virginia, is a community deeply impacted by many of the issues that challenge American democracy more broadly. It’s a post-industrial town that lost its major textile milling industry and has struggled to find a new economic driver; it’s a relatively diverse population center surrounded by much-less-diverse rural areas; and as the reputed “last capital of the Confederacy” and the site of the Bloody Monday police attack on civil rights protestors, it has a complicated history around racial issues.
Danville is also a hub city for One America Movement. In their work there since 2019, One America has built relationships with dozens of faith leaders, civic leaders and more. In partnership with One America, Danville-based faith groups have built relationships across racial, religious and political divides, many for the first time.
Under the guidance of local leaders, join us in Danville to engage with complications and nuances to established narratives around key issues and their interplay with American democracy. We’ll also grow our understanding of the challenges and bright spots for democracy at the local level, particularly in rural and small-to-mid-size urban communities that are off the beaten path for many in philanthropy. And of course we’ll make plenty of time for fellowship and relationship building!
On the Agenda:
We are in the process of curating an engaging agenda for our visit to Danville. Activities may include:
Getting to know cornerstone community institutions and their leaders, such as houses of worship, key nonprofits, local government, civic leaders, and anchor local businesses.
Doing a service project with a local organization.
Exploring Danville history through museums, historic sites, and conversation with local history experts and those whose lives have been directly impacted by historical events.
Conversation on challenging topics including economics, race, religion, and politics.
Experiencing local recreational or culinary attractions.