904WARD, the 5-year-old civic group that developed the Jacksonville Community Remembrance Project to acknowledged racial lynching and a deck of cards to prompt racial-equity conversations, has hired its first CEO and plans to expand its efforts to end racism in the community.
Prominent local philanthropists including The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida and the Chartrand, DuBow and Weaver families, have committed at least $1 million over three years to support the effort. These donors were willing to make a multiyear investment in 904WARD s future because of what it has been able to achieve in the past five years, said Nina Waters, Community Foundation president. Their investment endorses 904WARD s strategy of consistent engagement and authentic discussion, using creative and thoughtful ways to include a wide range of voices. These donors recognize that Jacksonville must be a more inclusive community and that 904WARD is perfectly positioned to lead this work.