It’s been said that on May 25 when George Floyd called out for his mama as he died, he summoned the mamas of the world. In response, Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) President Charlitta Hatch helped organize the Black Mamas March. It was a peaceful and joyful community protest held on a sunny June day. Nearly 400 diverse families, including JLC families, joined to celebrate and defend the lives of Black people. Charlotte Mayor and JLC Sustainer, Vi Lyles was also in attendance. Upbeat music filled the air alongside a food truck, sign making station, and bubbles. Although it was not a JLC sponsored event, the JLC training was applied in all facets of the planning that it took to execute the event. Hatch commented, “My Junior League of Charlotte training helped me learn the power of collective advocacy and learning that all roles and contributions are needed to achieve the desired outcome.”
JLC member, Briana McNeil says the march created a space to reflect, and welcomed everyone who supported the mission to see justice where Black lives are concerned. When asked what stood out to her most, she recalled the moment before everyone began to line up for the march. “The co-organizers read off names, and other names were called from the crowd of the many Black people whose lives were lost over a span of multiple years. Then, it was brought to our attention that each of the person’s names that were called had a mother. They were someone’s child. That hit hard because it helped put into perspective why I was there to march.”
McNeil also remembered walking and not being able to breathe with her mask on. “Each time this happened, I thought of the many people who said, ‘I can’t breathe’ and who were in pain while their life was being taken from them.” She added, “Keeping in perspective the reason I was there helped me to push through the pain.”
The march also had a place where people could get registered to vote. JLC Member, Amber Wright says one of the reasons she came to the march was to help get people registered. She says protests spark change, but “elections keep the spark alive by voting for representatives who will act within the best interests of all their constituents.”
The march also saw allies show up. JLC member, Eleanor Norman has two boys under the age of two. She has several Black friends who are also raising boys. However, she understands that her Black friends have fears she doesn’t. “My Black friends have added fears of knowing no matter how well they raise their son, one day their son may be calling for them as he struggles to breathe because someone deemed him unworthy of life because he was Black.”
Norman says it was important to show up to the March to stand in solidarity with those friends. “It was important that I was there to let the Black mamas of Charlotte know they have allies who will help them carry their burden. It was important for me to walk with Black mamas, so that my boys know we must do the work to make this world different for our friends who are Black and Brown.”
JLC member, Molly Schugel says she got involved after her 13-year-old daughter showed interest. Schugel says her daughter said, “ If we don’t get involved, it’s like we’re saying the way Black people are being treated is okay.” Schugel says The Black Mamas March was the perfect mix of action in an inclusive, safe environment.
President-Elect, Kellie Lofton also brought her kids and husband to the march. She said she was glad to have a safe outlet for her boys during this important moment in history adding, “I have experienced a myriad of emotions as our nation reawakens to issues that have been with us for centuries. Like any mother, I want my boys to grow up in a world that embraces them, loves them, accepts them.”
As the day ended, Lofton noted there was one thing that was clear “The Black Mamas March was a true reflection of families uniting to demonstrate and say – Black lives do matter, and for this to be true, we are ALL in this together.”
