About Us

President's Welcome | Mission | History | Accomplishments | Officers and Committee Chairs

Presidents Welcome

Greetings CBW Members and Friends,

Despite finding ourselves living in a worldwide state of economic challenges, this is truly a time of celebration and thanksgiving. Let us be grateful for all we have and as we rejoice in the many accomplishments CBW has made in just five short years of life (2004-2009). Some of the many achievements include: educating the public about health; governmental and business issues; discovering and promoting our cultural heritage; giving scholarships to high school seniors; partnering with other organizations to build better communities; and recognizing outstanding community leaders.

The theme of this next year and our focus is on Expanding Our Horizons. Let us think “outside the box” by developing new programs and approaches, increasing our vision and knowledge based, encouraging and uplifting one another. Let us remove negativity from our minds and become “yes I can do it” individuals, and work smarter – not harder, to implement the CBW mission. We must dream BIG today for the future.

There are two areas of priority for the coming year. Our programs will focus on education and health. We must continue to build on our historical beginnings to leave a positive legacy and a culture of excellence for those who come behind us. May they find that we were faithful to our mission.

Each of us, individually and collectively, is an important part of CBW and to expanding its legacy. Your talents, ideas, and efforts are needed and tremendously appreciated. A team effort is a must to keep the faith and remain steadfast. Your support and dedication to the mission are necessary to expand CBW’s horizons beyond our wildest dreams and to create that better tomorrow for our families and friends.

Thank you for joining me as we pledge ourselves to Expanding Our Horizons in working together to build more opportunities!


Annette Funn
President , The Concerned Black Women of Calvert County, Inc.

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Mission

Our mission is to address issues in the community that include education, health, economic well-being, and improving the quality of life for African American women and their families.

CBW is a problem solving group by using programmatic action, dissemination of information, networking to connect people in need with resources and services, cultural influence by sharing our heritage and it's impact on today's society, training and personal development. These services include, but are not limited to, information technology, establishment of scholarship programs, public leadership development and participation in the governmental decision making process.

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History

The Concerned Black Women of Calvert County Incorporated, also known as CBW, held its first organizing meeting in June 2004. The organization was incorporated, in July, in the state of Maryland.

Organization founders are Doris J. Spencer and Annette J. Funn, two community active citizens who asked themselves the question, “Who is speaking on a variety of issues from the African American perspective?” They realized a need and the rest is history.

The mission of CBW is to address issues concerning education, health, economic empowerment and overall well-being of African American women and families within the county. This mission includes our vision to improve the quality of life for African American families.

We envision ourselves as an advocacy group that uses pro-active, programmatic action, dissemination of information, networking with other community organizations, connecting with people in need of resources and services, cultural influence by sharing our heritage and its impact on today's society, training and personal empowerment. These services include, but are not limited to, adult and youth mentoring programs, information technology training and access to decrease the Digital Divide, identification of Health needs and issues, identification of Special Education issues, establishment of scholarship programs, development of youth and young adult leaders, and participation in the Local and State government decision making process.

The organization is not part of another group and to CBW’s knowledge it is the only one of its kind, which is organized in the nation with this name and a broad based, issue focused agenda. CBW is non-partisan and its membership is open to those who support CBW initiatives. CBW does not support or oppose political candidates.

Doris J. Cammack Spencer states that there is no easy solution to closing the education gap of achievement. Involvement by all the community can make a difference in providing support to young people during their growing years and that includes providing them with a supportive environment and positive experiences to obtain an excellent education. Solving the educational gap in achievement requires everyone to get involved – the school, the parent(s), the community and the church. Too much tax money is spent on educating students to produce results that are not productive for all of our school children and for society. You got to “show up.”

The Founding Members of CBW include: Ernestine Brooks, Charlotte Clark, Barbara Fetterhoff, Annette Funn, Sharon Gray, Bridgette Hird, Doris Holland, Diane Hollaway-Lockamy, Tess Jones-Smith, Glossie Leake, Evelyn Long, Pamela Mackall, Sonia Hinds, Sylvia Parker, Kim Mackall, Barbara Reid, Shirley Smith, Doris J. Cammack Spencer, Dawn Tucker, Kirsti Uunila, and Elena Whipple.

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Accomplishments

CBW Achievements from June 2007 to Present

• Met with the Deputy Superintendent of Schools to discuss the CBW position paper on No Child Left Behind and High Stakes Testing on July 10, 2007.
• Prepared and submitted written testimony for a Hearing given by the Maryland State Board of Education on September 18, 2007.
• Updating Calvert County Minority Business Directory Online
• Participated in the Business Appreciation Week Minority Business Reception
• Conducted the 2nd Annual Scholarship Luncheon on Saturday, June 7,2008
• Completed the Scholarship process and Awarded 4 scholarships to Calvert County high school seniors for 2008 school year
• Prepared paperwork and submitted to the IRS for exemption from Federal income tax—501 c 3 approval received January 15, 2008
• Women's Day Out 2008 collaboration with Hippy Program.
• CBW and NAACP Creation of MOA with Sheriff's Department.
• Covenant Initiative-Tri-County Sponsor of Symposium on Race, Justice, and Citizenship with Dr. Charles Ogletree
• 2007 African American Heritage Day at Jefferson Patterson Park
• CBW Response to the NRC for nuclear reactor in Calvert Cliffs
• Hosted Calvert County Jena Six Rally
• Sponsored Nikki Giovanni and Black History Month Program with Calvert County Library
• Wallville School Grant Endorsement
• CBW is a Recipient of $2500 Scholarship from Dr. Charles Ogletree and Kaiser Foundation
• Created CBW's first Newsletter and posted on website.

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Officers and Committee Chairs

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