About:

 

Originally, Greensboro’s National Conference for Community & Justice (NCCJ) was part of a national inter-faith organization, fighting for equality, justice and community.

 

After organizing from 1927 to 1937, the national group folded, leaving only a few scattered across the United States. Today, all the groups work separately.

 

Greensboro is the only location of NCCJ in North Carolina. In 2005, the organization became a non-profit, with the same emphasis to continuously educate the community through programming.  

 

Greensboro’s NCCJ focuses heavily on matters of human relations and inclusiveness.

 

“We are focused on lifting up those voices of all marginalized groups,” said Ivan Canada, the Executive Director of NCCJ. “I think there are some people that look at us as really being a bridge builder in our community around those difficult [social] topics.”

 

They deliver programming to the community, local businesses, schools and universities spanning across North Carolina.

 

Their social justice work can be categorized in three crucial ways: through education, dialogue on topics with various groups and advocacy to change policies.

 

The organization holds several fundraisers throughout the year, including their annual dinner fundraiser, annual peer-to-peer fundraiser in June, two campaigns in winter and spring and other smaller community fundraisers as well.

 

A major focus for NCCJ are youth-related programs.

 

“We are part of delivering this programming and helping keep diversity and inclusion on the minds of students in the schools,” Canada said. “This is still an important part of their learning.”

 

One achievement in this category is their flagship and residential program named ANYTOWN, specifically for any juniors and seniors in Guilford County Schools. The program is over 50 years old nationally, but began in 1987 here in Greensboro.

 

ANYTOWN is held twice every summer - in June and July. It is a week-long program, offering students the chance to meet people with different backgrounds and identities of their own through an inclusive environment. Canada believes this program is special because it offers a space to show respect for all people and a chance for young people to engage in honest dialogue that could lead to change.

 

In the past two years, ANYTOWN has expanded to include a gender and identity expression program, with a transgender facilitator.

 

‘Because of that reputable history,” said Canada, while speaking on NCCJ as a whole, “we are given the opportunity to help people come together on difficult topics.”

 

Though NCCJ does not need a stable amount of yearly volunteers, they tend to look for seasonal people to help with administrative work, ANYTOWN and special events. After specific training, volunteers can serve as facilitators for group discussion and deliver community programs.

 

For more information about NCCJ, visit their website listed above.