When one of our most loyal volunteers, Helen Spielman, suggested last fall that NCCADP host a spring fundraiser, I was admittedly skeptical. It sounded like a lot of work, and I wasn’t sure if it would literally “pay off.” Also, we’re a grassroots organization intensely focused on our Commutations Campaign. I questioned whether we had the time and energy to invest in an event that didn’t provide an opportunity for people to take action. Well, fast forward 6 months, and I’m delighted to admit my hesitancy was not only unnecessary but flat out misplaced. With Helen’s extraordinary leadership and MANY volunteers, NCCADP’s inaugural fundraiser on April 21 was a terrific success.
Here’s how we did it, what I learned, and to whom we owe tremendous gratitude:
From our beautiful venue, the offices of Southern Coalition for Social Justice, to delicious refreshments, fabulous decorations, and lovely live music, everything was given free of charge. Also, numerous partner organizations and individuals stepped up as sponsors, which enabled us to invite guests, especially folks directly impacted by the criminal legal system. That felt important. Our community gathered regardless of ability to purchase a ticket. We were even joined by a number of people new to our movement. You can view a photo gallery here with a copy of our printed program, which acknowledges those volunteers and sponsors who made the event possible.
Our speakers, Professor Mark Katz and Pastor Dewey Williams, shared with us their personal encounters with people on death row in North Carolina, including an opportunity to bear witness to the incredible talent of writer and rapper Alim Braxton. Nick Courmon also read selections of poetry by George Wilkerson.
“From Creativity to Commutation” was more than a tagline co-opted for the event. To fully, authentically experience someone’s creativity, we also must see that person’s humanity. That is at the core of our Commutation Campaign – a plea for Governor Cooper to see the humanity of the 136 people sentenced to death in our state and believe that their lives are worth saving. And because no NCCADP event would be complete without a call to action, even our fundraiser included time for people to write postcards to the governor.
Did our fundraiser on April 21st “pay off?” Indeed it did. Thanks to our community, we raised nearly $14,000. Not bad for a small nonprofit! Every penny of that (and more) is desperately needed to fund our work for the remainder of the Commutation Campaign. But, as is always the case when we come together, we raised more than money. We raised our collective spirits and recommitted to ending the death penalty as soon as possible, and in the near future to ending death row as we know it.
– Noel Nickle, NCCADP Executive Director
