• March 30, 2020

Cancellations Due to COVID-19

Message to Community on Cancellation  Due to COVID-19

Dear CJMM, Inc. Supporters & Community,

We hope that you are safe and well during this difficult time. We know that the impacts and realities of COVID-19 have affected all of you and we are wishing you well. 

We know that COVID-19 has and will impact our ability to commemorate Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie in the way we intend. June 15 of 2020 is likely too early to responsibly gather 10,000 people, or even a fraction of that number, without the potential of exposing community members to potential harm. Even if it were to be safe, the impact on organizing and fundraising is considerable.

So, our team has been talking through our options. We think it’s best to postpone the major elements of the commemoration until June of 2021. For the health, safety, and recovery of our community, we feel it’s best to hold off. Not only to combat the virus itself, but to allow businesses, organizations, and individuals to begin to heal and recover from the impacts.  Virtual events will happen during the month of June, but the large commemoration will be postponed until next summer. Postponing the June 15 gathering and commemoration is the safest and most responsible thing for us to do. 

This was not an easy decision. Our team has worked for the last year and a half to secure funding, build relationships, raise awareness, and plan. It is heartbreaking for many of our team members. But we know it is the right call.

We will still be hosting virtual/digital elements. This year is still incredibly important for us and this community. Although this has been an incredibly challenging time, we know that these conversations and this history still matters. Because although COVID-19 is impacting us all, its impacts disproportionately affect people of color as well as other targeted, forgotten, and marginalized populations. 

What Does This Mean for the Events?

Although we are rescheduling the large scale commemoration for 2021, we will still be engaging in virtual/digital elements.  

Existing Programming (w/ necessary changes like social distancing, digital elements, etc) 

  • Alabama 35 Audio Documentary
    • This will be a radio program
  • Youth Art Show
    • We will highlight art virtually
  • Community Art Show
    • We will highlight art virtually 
  • Gravesite Visitation
    • We will invite folks to visit on their own (w/ social distancing & healthy practices) if open in June

Postponed

  • Community Dinner (Date TBD)
  • Community Mural & Poetry (Date TBD)
  • Readers Theater (Date TBD)
  • CJM Commemoration (June 2021)

New Elements

  • Workbook (To be released June of 2020)
    • A book designed for you to engage in dialogue and internal work

Conclusion

These events were never intended to be the end. This is one step in a long process of transformational change in our community. So, please find a way to stay engaged in these dialogues and connect with our alternative programming this year. We will continue to communicate through our mailing list, our website, and through social media. Please stay connected to CJMM, Inc. 

In the meantime please stay informed, engage in preventative measures, and practice social distancing.

Be safe and take care of one another. 

 

Sincerely, 

The Clayton Jackson McGhie 2020 Commemoration Committee