A Statement on Charlottesville
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Opportunity Nation’s mission is to restore the promise of the American Dream by ensuring that everyone – regardless of their skin color, gender, faith or where they were born – has an equal opportunity to succeed. We work with more than 350 Coalition members in 38 states to fulfill this vision. We must embrace what makes America unique – our diversity and the value we place on everyone and their potential to help build strong communities and a strong nation.
We condemn the hatred and violence that occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia recently. This nation fought and won wars to stop the hate championed by the white supremacists and Nazi-sympathizing protesters who descended on Charlottesville, a community that, incidentally, ranks among the highest counties for opportunity according to the Opportunity Index. The values of hate and division we saw are antithetical to this nation, and we stand unequivocally united against them.
Last year, we proposed six Opportunity Millennium Goals and solutions to address issues such as hunger, homelessness, education and child poverty. No matter where we were born, what we look like, who we love, or what religion we practice we must unite and ensure that we achieve these goals together and protect those who would be marginalized or excluded – intentionally or systematically – from their opportunity to participate in this great country.
Monique Rizer
Monique Rizer is the Executive Director of Opportunity Nation. Prior to this role, Monique served as Chief of Staff for Opportunity Nation's parent organization, Be The Change, Inc., a national nonprofit organization that creates issue-based campaigns designed to advance positive social change. Read Monique's Bio.
