Overcoming

Whereas incarceration is one of the most reliable predictors of black social disadvantage, a college education is one of the most reliable predictors of black economic and social progress. Whatever we can do to encourage and support young people in their pursuit of education will have a ripple effect for good and toward a more tangible equality. Overcoming is committed to promoting higher education through local churches that offer support to their constituents and other organizations that assist minority students in obtaining a college degree.

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Today in America there are twice as many black men under the mastery of the correctional system as there were under the mastery of slave owners at the onset of the Civil War. With African Americans incarcerated at five times the rate of whites, the impact on individuals, families, and communities is significant. We want to come alongside those who are currently incarcerated or have recently been released to give them the spiritual, personal, and educational connections they need to avoid a cycle of recidivism and successfully re-integrated.

Overcoming is currently seeking collaborating non-profit organizations to which we can grant funding for these purposes. If you would like to explore this relationship, please read How We Work with Others and feel free to CONTACT US.

There are a number of organizations that offer training to individuals and churches that want to personally participate in the lives of those who are or have been incarcerated. Overcoming encourages this kind of personal involvement and offers the following links to be explored. These organizations are not official collaborators with Overcoming, but they have a track record of facilitating individual involvement.
PRISON FELLOWSHIP
KAIROS
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
THE SALVATION ARMY

Minority entrepreneurs often find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to getting a business loan. Sometimes, all that stands between a motivated individual and a successful commercial startup or expansion is a relatively small capital investment. Micro loans that are carefully researched and administered have a very high (95+) rate of repayment, allow those investment funds to be recycled many times. Through our micro loan collaborating organizations, Overcoming is able to target minority candidates and grant sufficient funding to help turn dreams into reality.

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Since Overcoming is committed to genuine equality, it's important not only to give young people a pathway out of poverty but also to open a pathway to empowerment. Connecting future leaders to those who are already involved in business and/or public service and giving them real-life experience are important steps in that direction. Through our Washington, DC connections we are creating internship opportunities for minority young people that will shape them as future leaders.