This Hispanic Heritage Month, we are reflecting on identity, community engagement, and Kingian Nonviolence with Board Member, Priscilla Weddle. Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15-October 15 in the United States and is dedicated to recognizing and uplifting Hispanic heritage, cultures, achievements, and history. Written Communications Organizer, Prisca Afantchao had a conversation with Board Member Priscilla Weddle.
On Earth Peace Internship and Board
Prisca Afantchao: What brought you to OEP?
Priscilla Weddle: My friend, Alyssa Parker, started an internship at OEP as the Racial Justice Organizer. I looked it up and decided to apply. I'm passionate about social justice, including food insecurity and homelessness, so I was drawn to the position.
PA: Where did you go to college?
PW: I went to Bridgewater College in Virginia. I majored in Global Studies with a concentration in Politics and Public Policy. After my internship ended at OEP, I received my masters degree in Public Administration from Old Dominion University.
PA: You started the Read Aloud series through On Earth Peace. How did that develop and what was your favorite part of doing that series?
PW: I started my internship with OEP in February 2020. Initially we wanted to bring back a mural competition, but as you know, in March 2020, the world shut down and it wasn’t possible to go ahead with that competition. We (Priscilla and Marie Benner-Rhoades) both saw the trend of celebrities reading books and posting online. I also enjoy reading books to my nieces. From there, I tried to focus on “own voice” stories. This means authors from different groups are able to portray their own experiences from their own perspectives. During my time, we posted 99 videos and it taught me what it takes to run a program as well as the importance of being organized. It’s fun because now that my nieces are a little bit older, I can show them the videos and they can see all the stories that I was reading.
PA: What are your hopes for the organization now that you are a board member?
PW: I'm hoping to continue the internship program and grow it in order to create the opportunity for interns to come on as staff members.
PA: How would you describe your work as a board member and what’s your favorite part of the job?
PW: I'm in the resource management committee. I work on the budget and help with fundraising initiatives. One of my favorite things has been working on the Ted & Co fundraiser and helping to put together the silent auction. I think overall we were able to raise about $1300 through the silent auction. I appreciate learning from the board members who have been here longer than me. For example, Irv and Bev, they go above and beyond to slow down and explain things to me.
PA: What is your current work beyond On Earth Peace?
PW: Donor relations coordinator at For Kids Nonprofit located in Chesapeake, VA. Breaking the cycle of homelessness for families and children. I'm responsible for securing corporate sponsorships, stewarding donors, securing funds in general that are needed in order to help families in need
PA: How would you say your time at OEP has influenced your time at For Kids?
PW: At OEP, doing the Read Aloud series and the Children Webinar series taught me a lot. All the organization that goes into managing programs has prepared me for working at For Kids. I learned the importance of inviting people in and educating people and trying to break down certain stereotypes and stigmas. Getting the KNV training really helped me in that aspect. You’re trying to address/attack the ideology and not the person. Instead of thinking that person is the problem, it’s actually the ideologies that they’ve learned. You can invite them in and teach them how to unlearn the hateful things that they were taught. For example, I sometimes get confronted with people who say that homeless people are lazy and don’t want to work. People have a certain image in their mind of a homeless person. I explain to them all the ways someone can end up in this situation. They are usually shocked when I say that when I was 12 years old I became homeless. That really inspired me to give back to the community because I was able to go to school and get a career. I want to show kids in this situation that they can do whatever they set their mind to and they do have a future and there are people who are rooting for them.
Hispanic Heritage Month
PA: What does this month mean to you?
PW: Time to be with family and reflect on the sacrifices that were made for us to have a better life.
PA: Did you engage with your own heritage through the read aloud series?
PW: Yes, from September 15-October 15 for Hispanic Heritage Month, I chose books about Hispanic culture written by Latine authors. One book that I read was The Dreamers by Yuyi Morales. I continued to have those different books by Hispanic authors about Hispanic culture throughout the different themes that we had. For example, during December, I read Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto, a book I remember reading when I was little.
PA: How do you describe your heritage and ethnicity?
PW: I am White Hispanic. My family came to the US from Panama in the early 1970s. My mom was about 5 years old when she immigrated.
PA: What do you feel shaped your perspective, or your passions and vocation?
PW: My grandma was very involved in raising me. She instilled in me the importance of helping others and having a strong work ethic. She taught me about philanthropy through writing a check every month to Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters to take care of the sick children. I am very passionate about helping out children through what I do now. That really shaped who I wanted to be as a person.
PA: What is your favorite dish to eat?
PW: My grandma’s arroz con pollo and my great aunt Vickie’s empanadas!
PA: What’s your favorite tradition to do with your family?
PW: Around Christmas time, we have cookie day. The whole family comes together to make cookies and hand them out to our neighbors. It’s extra fun now that my nieces are older and they can help decorate all the sugar cookies.
PA: What are some ways that people can support Hispanic Heritage Month and the Latine community?
PW: It’s important for people to speak up when people are saying hateful things towards people of Latine descent. It’s important to seek ways that you can engage with the community directly. Check if there is a Hispanic Business Chamber in your area. Ask "What are they doing?" Maybe they're holding a forum you can attend. Look for ways to support local Hispanic and Latine businesses. On Earth Peace is doing a series called Standing with People of Color (SWPOC). I think that’s a great series to get involved with to learn more about how you can help facilitate change.
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