United Way Committees and Coalitions

Fund for Racial Justice and Equity

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is committed to being anti-racist and promoting anti-racism work across our community. We cannot serve our communities without directly confronting racial injustice within them.

The Fund for Racial Justice and Equity (FRJE), powered by United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and led by five leaders immersed in this fight, seeks to transform people and communities by investing in Black and Brown leaders and organizations. It is guided by a team of seven Black and Brown community leaders who are experts in their fields with decades of collective lived experience. Together, they developed the Fund’s strategic framework and investment process that expands opportunity and access to equitable funding. By removing barriers currently faced by leaders of color, we ensure that resources are available to support the programs, people and services centered around the voices and experiences of those most affected by racism. This investment process is committed to equitable funding practices throughout the application, review and distribution processes.

We have the following intentions:

  • Support Black and Brown leadership
  • Invest in people
  • Support risk-taking and innovation
  • Promote trust and integrity

To learn more about the Fund, contact Marci Martinez-Howey at 610-807-5755.

fund for Racial Justice and Equity Grant Recipients

In the summer of 2023, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley awarded twenty-one organizations serving historically marginalized communities $310,000 in grants to develop leadership, economic advancement and wellness.

The following organizations received grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000:

Learn more about the grants here.

Building a greater lehigh valley where every person belongs
and every person thrives.

“United Way is open for people like us to come in and have a part in the process of funding. We challenge more people who look like us to step up and participate.”

Tyrone Russell
CEO of Faces International

fund partners and leadership

Headshot of Batts

Hasshan Batts, DHSC, MSW

Executive Director
Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley

Headshot of Blair

Scott Blair

Senior Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
B. Braun Medical Inc.

Headshot of Ghafoor-Davis

Kumari Ghafoor-Davis, MSW

Director, Campaign for Racial and Ethnic Justice
Community Action Lehigh Valley

Headshot of Greene

Kevin Greene

Chief Operating Officer
Faces International

Headshot of Martinez-Howey

Marci Martinez-Howey

Associate Vice President, Diversity Equity and Inclusion
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley

Dra. Vivian Robledo

Executive Director
The Next Step Public Charter School

Tyrone Russell

Chief Executive Officer
Faces International

In the News