Charlotte King and Bernice Edwards honored for selfless work

Two pillars of the Sussex County community were honored Oct. 26 by a nonpartisan watchdog group dedicated to preserving democracy. 

Charlotte King, founder and chair of Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice, and First State Community Action Agency Executive Director Bernice Edwards were each selected to receive an award from Common Cause Delaware at Baywood Greens in Long Neck.

Charlotte King

King was chosen to receive the John Gardiner Lifetime Achievement Award for her tireless work advocating for racial justice and ensuring democracy works for everyone. King founded SDARJ in 2015, but had been a beacon of freedom and equality in several different roles well before then. As one of the first women and African Americans to graduate from St. John’s College in Maryland, King pursued careers that placed her at the forefront of equal rights.

“Charlotte King builds bridges,” said Kathleen Schell as she began telling the story of King’s life.

Earning her graduate degree in social work from Fordham University, King championed child welfare and mental health as the director of several foster care agencies. 

Her work in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s dealing with those issues, in addition to being on the front line of helping people with AIDS, was unique for the time. King was not afraid to tackle issues that made others run away. 

As executive director of Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., King started outreach to homeless populations, immigrants, victims of substance abuse and AIDS victims. During this time, King was also caring for her daughter Rachel. 

King retired to Delaware in 2000, but she accepted a job at Delaware Guidance Services and served on the board of several organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, a group for which she served as president. 

Preston Schell said King took on her most important mission when she founded SDARJ in 2015.

“[It’s] amazing [what] you’ve done in seven years to confront the issues of systemic racism and to provide opportunities for residents to help change the public narrative through educational and informational programs,” Preston said.

Since its inception, SDARJ has helped implement an expungement program for children, a scholarship program for high school seniors, and worked with the Rehoboth Beach Film Society to initiate the first African American Film Festival, among other initiatives. 

The honoree made a point to mention the names of everyone who she felt played a major role in the success of SDARJ, including Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, who delivered proclamations from Gov. John Carney’s office. 

King, noting that education is a long process, did not anticipate how quickly her organization's initiatives would be embraced and implemented. 

“There are so many good, aware people in Sussex County that we should be happy that we have this conglomerate of good people,” King said.

Moving forward, King suggested changing the conversation and pointing out hate speech when it is said, no matter the situation. To do nothing is to contribute to the problem, she said. 

While her organization does not seek donations, it relies on the contributions of members of the community to further its mission. Learn more at SDARJ.org.

Bernice Edward

Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester was chosen to present the Common Cause Delaware Public Service Achievement Award to Edwards, the First State Community Action Agency executive director. Blunt Rochester’s relationship with both honorees spans several decades, and friendship among the three women was on full display.

Edwards leads an organization that is on the front lines of improving the lives of families and children in Sussex County. Based in Georgetown, the campus even includes a Bernice M. Edwards Training Center where students and aspiring professionals can meet for various life skills classes and workshops. Celebrating 57 years in 2022, First State works to help individuals become self-sufficient while ensuring they have equal opportunity in education and employment.

“We partner with so many other agencies, because it’s not about me, it’s about the work that we do and the people who we serve,” Edwards said. “One of the things I want people to know is at First State we’re the boots on the ground. We meet people where they are.” 

First State recently partnered with the nonprofit Springboard Collaborative to build a homeless shelter in Georgetown. Georgetown Mayor Billy West joined Edwards at her table for the Common Cause Delaware event, exemplifying the importance of Edwards and her organization in the Georgetown community. 

Blunt Rochester spoke fondly of Edwards during her presentation.

“When I met her, she just had this passion for community, to make sure people were not living in poverty. She took me around to neighborhoods in Sussex County that I wasn’t even aware of, like Coverdale Crossroads,” she said.

Taking the podium to accept the award, Edwards was humbled. 

“I have been working tirelessly for over 40 years advocating for underserved communities in Delaware, and I’ve always come to resolve that we are always better together than any of us is alone,” she said.

Edwards said that in this post-pandemic world, people need one another to continue the march of progress. She said that by working together, organizations like First State, SDARJ and Common Cause Delaware can help fight for what is right and just. Edwards thanked her family, support team, Blunt Rochester and Hall-Long for their efforts in advancing the common cause of justice for all.

Edwards closed her acceptance speech by citing her most beloved African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, you have to go together.”

More information about First State is available at firststatecaa.org.