Last week, United Way of Lancaster County hosted a community conversation under the new name, Voices United. The theme: Freedom, Justice, & Equality, though Nonviolent Action, was inspired by the King Center’s theme for MLK Day: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365.
The panelists included: Director of the African American Cultural Alliance, Derek Smith, Senior Counsel of Saxton and Stump, Lance Green, Trainings Facilitator, Alternatives to Violence Project, Joe DiGarbo, Director of Crispus Attucks Community Center, Joshua Hunter, and moderator Vice President of Talent Sustainability, Talent Acquisition and D&I for Armstrong World Industries, Salena Coachman.
DiGarbo led a presentation about working for the Alternative to Violence project, which was inspired by King’s nonviolence practices during the civil rights movement. The Alternative to Violence Project was formed in 1975, the organization trains individuals, organizations, and schools to resolve major conflicts in a nonviolent way. The program has grown into a national and international initiative, with programs operating in 50 countries.
DiGarbo explained the principles on which the workshops are built: ‘There is good in everyone, every human has an innate desire to resolve conflicts in a nonviolent way, we can do something about violence and not just the desire to be nonviolent.’ The workshops help people realize how they can work towards nonviolence. It begins with the individual.
DiGarbo explained how the people who go through the workshops come out completely different and detailed a story from a facilitator in Serbia who went through the program, “The most powerful thing for me that is a very important part of AVP is the positive energy that stays within people long after the workshops. It is something that becomes stronger and stronger as time passes. My mother told me the other day ‘you are somehow much better after you came back from Saro. You don’t complain about the food. It almost brings, it’s just so touching. You are helping me more. You are more considerate toward your younger brother. I just don’t know. I somehow feel that you are a better person.”
Coachman turned to the rest of the panel for questions, she asked Smith: Dr. King often emphasized the power of community organizing to achieve social change. How does the African American cultural alliance work to create spaces that empower the African American community in Lancaster? And how can these efforts align with Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy?
Smith explained that during Covid there was a meeting called, The State of Black Lancaster, which provided a space for African Americans of all backgrounds and age-groups to speak their minds. There are not a lot of spaces for black people to meet and vent. A part of nonviolence is getting things off your chest because society will let that build up. Having that space provided allowed the community to work together so they can produce solutions to fix problems within the community. King’s key focus was to bring the community together to discuss the issues before addressing them. You need to plan before you can act on things.
Coachman to Smith and Hunter: What role do partnerships and collaborations between businesses and nonprofits in Lancaster County play in advancing nonviolent action and community justice?
Smith explained that organizations need partnerships to grow. Organizations would not be able to provide services without financial and community support. “It’s up to Lancaster and the surrounding community to step up and show we are a welcoming community, but we’re also a welcome community for the people that’s been here. We’re a welcoming community for all types of people.”
Hunter explained organizations need volunteers, money, and mentorship. When businesses and nonprofits come together, you must think about how we effectively work together and a part of that is to bring authenticity to the table. “I think in 2025, it’s this year of freedom and to give yourself permission to authentically show up as you. If people don’t like that then their input isn’t needed for the movement.”
Coachman to Green: Dr. King’s commitment to Justice was not only social, but legal. How do you see your role as a legal professional in promoting justice and equality through nonviolent action in Lancaster County?
Green expressed that when organizations are planning to address issues and want to protest, his role is to advise legal counsel, which is the nonviolence aspect of it. “If there’s one thing that MLK stands for, for me it’s that ability to fight from within a system. When you fight from within the system you bring yourself validity to it and that’s what MLK did. He knew that the laws made no sense, and he said okay I’m going to follow those laws.”
Coachman: In lieu of a different Administration, there are probably going to be some changes in what diversity and inclusion laws look like in this country. What can we do that is lawful to continue the work within corporations, within our communities?
Green explained that it is important to vote, and activity participate in the process. Nonviolence comes from actively participating in these elections. “To say, ‘oh well, it’s just a lesser of two evils,’ okay well why don’t you go out and vote don’t even worry about the presidential election, start smaller, which quite frankly, you can have more of an impact in your local elections. Go to your City Council meetings, vote in your municipality.”
Coachman to DiGarbo and Smith: How does your organization handle community outreach and engagement to ensure that all voices, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups, are heard and respected?
DiGarbo explained that his organization has worked with individuals in the Lancaster County prisons, to get the word out and help them understand nonviolence.
Smith explained that his organization works with lesser-known Black organizations and helps connect them to sponsorship. “Trying to figure out how do we uplift other black organizations to do the work and we’re not losing our resources so making sure they’re at the table, making sure that they are getting the necessary resources.”
Coachman to Hunter: Crispus Attucks of course being a long-time pillar in the community for the people of color, not just the African Americans in the community. How does the center uphold Dr. King’s legacy of nonviolent action in its program and its outreach efforts?
Hunter explained that not being a bystander is important when things are urgent. Putting a voice out and taking a stand to have these uncomfortable conversations is a part of that. “For a long time, it’s us pulling our own chairs up to these tables because we’re not being invited into these spaces, we’re not being willingly invited…We have to create our own spaces.” It is important for black people to create spaces where there is education and to invite people who have a different opinion than us.
Coachman to Green: Can the use of litigation or the use of legal advocacy be considered an exercise of nonviolence?
Green gave a hypothetical scenario dealing with the civil side of nonviolence. If you are working at a company that isn’t prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion you can protest that by bringing it to the attention of the media. This will push that company to make changes.
Coachman to panel: What advice would you give other businesses and organizations in Lancaster County looking to integrate nonviolence more intentionally into their operations and community engagement strategies?
DiGarbo explained that his organization reaches out to other organizations such as Compass Mark, and Crispus Attucks to help administrator nonviolence training for them to implement it into their programs.
Green explained that it is important to be active about the issues you want to address. This will push your organization to do something.
Smith detailed that people should look at the playbook of Dr. King. If you really care, look at the playbook and see the moves that made him successful in his movement.
Hunter said it is important to look at people who are on advisory boards. Look at their priorities and actions. Examine the relationship building they are doing.
• Watch the conversation via United Way of Lancaster County’s YouTube
• Listen to the conversation via Spotify
