THE AMERICAN
REPARATIVE JUSTICE INITIATIVE
The American Reparative Justice Initiative, located in Arlington, Virginia, is an aspiring non profit 501(c)3 organization the mission of which is improving the quality the lives of the descendants of American chattel slavery, designated as “Freedmen” in U.S legal and political documents.
Meet Our Staff And Advisors!
Edmund A Rennolds III – Founder
Rennolds, 73, is a 12th-generation citizen of Virginia.
Immediately upon graduation from college, he served as publisher of the Richmond Mercury, a weekly newspaper in Richmond, VA. He has worked since then as a journalist, and for a series of non profit organizations.
Shawn Neal – Executive Director
Mrs. Neal is a 54-year-old former Federal employee with over 30 years of experience.
That experience includes work in the fields of Communications, Human Resources, and Federal Budgeting.
Andrew Lewis – Former chairman of the Math Department of the Virginia Commonwealth University
Andrew Lewis is a former CEO and president of Best Products Co., the national catalogue-retail chain founded by his parents, Sydney and Frances Lewis. He served as president from 1976 to 1984, when he succeeded his father as chairman and Chief Executive.
After receiving a PHD from Berkeley University, Lewis served for a number of years as chairman of the Math Department at the Virginia Commonwealth University.
Jean Boone – Publisher of the Richmond Free Press
Jean Boone was born in Columbia, South Carolina. She earned a B.A. degree in sociology and anthropology from Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1962. She then received her M.S. degree in social work in 1966 from Boston University.
After graduating from Boston University, Boone moved to Richmond, Virginia, where her husband, Raymond Boone, Sr., was editor of the Richmond Afro-American. She became an adjunct professor of education at Virginia Commonwealth University. She also worked as the associate director for housing and economic development for the Urban League of Richmond. In 1981, Boone joined the Children’s Defense Fund as the director of state and local affairs, serving until 1989. In 1988, Boone also served as the manager of community affairs and marketing for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. When Boone’s husband established Paradigm Communications, Inc. in 1991, Boone joined him as advertising director. The following year, Paradigm Communications, Inc. published the inaugural issue of the Richmond Free Press on January 16, 1992. Boone was named publisher of the Richmond Free Press in late June 2014 by the board of directors of Paradigm Communications, Inc. after her husband’s death.
Education and Empowerment
Programs We Offer
Credit Repair
Having good credit enables you to buy a car or a house at reasonable interest rates. The good news is that people who have never had credit before — that is, they have never had a credit card, or bought a car or a house on credit (they are invisible in the credit rating system) often start off with a relatively high score of 550. Read more to see how you can gain more control over your credit.
Literacy And Education
Most citizens in the target group can read, however. For those the Initiative will organize short 30 minute Zoom classes on topics such as an introduction to classical music, a quick journey through Western art, various topics in history such as the Civil War with site visits organized where possible, art, refresher (or introductory) courses in the sciences and math. Read more to see how you can diversify your knowledge of all things.
Real Estate
The country has seen a rapid appreciation in the value of real estate and for many Black homeowners are a disadvantage in the sale of a house for lack of information. The disturbing result is the failure to realize a fair value for a family home, which often have been owned for generations. Read more about how you can better equip yourself before making the BIG DECISION to buy a home.
Vocational Training
Disadvantaged young blacks in America, it is evident that what is needed is a workforce development program specifically designed for young adults who are vulnerable to the dangers of street violence. The components of the program include vocational training, life skills & socialization training, job placement, and psychological support throughout for these at-risk young adults in poor neighborhoods. Read more on how Vocational Training can help.
Building a Future
