Innovation, Community & Reconciliation

2022-2023

Innovation, Community & Reconciliation (Community & Partnership) refers to how W&M engages reciprocally and in a participatory way with our surrounding neighborhoods, counties, and the Commonwealth. Specifically, how we as a university continue to build upon our reconciliation work.

Goal: Grow institutional philanthropy and community partnerships to improve outcomes in local/regional communities.

Leading Indicator

Community partnerships include: City of Williamsburg, Colonial Williamsburg, VCIC, YJCW NAACP, POSSE Foundation, SREB, The Village Initiative Inc., Ivy Planning Group, First Baptist Church – Let Freedom Ring Foundation, New Zion Baptist Church, Cheroenhaka Nottoway Indian Tribe, Chickahominy Indian Tribe, Chickahominy Indian Tribe Eastern Division, Mattaponi Indian Tribe, Monacan Indian Nation, Nansemond Indian Tribe, Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia, Pamunkey Indian Tribe, Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia, Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe, Rappahannock Indian Tribe and Sappony Indian Tribe.

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Community partnerships

Initiatives Underway

Below is a selection of innovation, community and reconciliation initiatives actively underway in the 2022-2023 academic year. For an expanded view, explore the university's full Inclusive Excellence Plan.

Community Engagement

Evaluate and expand community engagement and partnerships to create collective impact with other community organizations

Partner with local community organizations, area HBCUs and Tribal leaders
Expand Community Engagement programming using new platforms

Philanthropy

Evaluate and increase philanthropy in support of Inclusive Excellence

Identify new and pursue Inclusive Excellence funding priorities for University Advancement and all units
Prepare for future campaigns by identifying high impact area of focus
Continue to train Advancement staff on best practices in inclusive fundraising, and expand this training to academic leadership with fundraising responsibilities
Continue to provide education for fundraisers and University Advancement staff about current inclusion initiatives across campus to facilitate donor conversation

History of the Enslaved and Exploited

Advance the history of human beings enslaved and exploited on W&M’s campus and in our region

Via campus naming, renaming and contextualization, improve a sense of belonging for and increase equity in what we memorialize
Fund the second phase of the Lemon Project to continue to uncover further history to build upon the past and related research initiatives
Develop and partner across the university to advance diversity and democracy initiatives
Work closely with Colonial Williamsburg to develop the Bray School through research and innovative programming
Work closely with Colonial Williamsburg and the City of Williamsburg to create destinations for African American history