-- Barbara Zelter, during her interview with Heirs to a Fighting Tradition.

Before immersing myself in work with Heirs to a Fighting Tradition I had the experience of observing people organize, use voice, breed hope, and build collective action. I had never experienced activism in this way. I have been doing organizing work for years and work as an anti-racist trainer with a local group focused on dismantling racism, but when campaign time for the presidency arrived I got to feel fire, and power, and watch how people fight for something they need with truth, justice, and love. I felt the energy of people who have historically been shut out by institutions and systems everywhere. The hope in young people, older people, my 87-year-old grandmother, all focused on the potential of what our country and world could be instead of what it has been.

The Heirs Project's mission is to strengthen and broaden the base of the North Carolina social justice organizers who have the skills, passion and capacity to work collectively for fundamental social transformation. We document the rich social justice history found in our local community and across the state of North Carolina. By recording the stories of social justice organizers and activists in their own voices and sharing them with the community, we hope to inspire individuals and communities to take action and work for justice.

Heirs to a Fighting Tradition believes in the causes of social justice: equality and dignity for everyone no matter their race, class, sexual orientation, gender, spiritual practice or secular world view, age, or physical abilities. We affirm the inherent ability all people to learn, identify their problems and their strengths, and work collectively to make change. We embrace a long-term, generational approach tobringing about social justice that is rooted in cooperative education, dialogue, analysis, reflection, organizing and action. We consider ourselves learners and partners with others on this journey to real social transformation.

"First of all, I think that there is no way to avoid having to talk about the tough stuff that nobody wants to talk about," said Cynthia Brown, during her interview with Heirs to a Fighting Tradition. "There's no way to avoid talking about it and there's no way to avoid accepting the differences that exist within groups and having the ability to accept and respect people's different points of view, despite the fact that you don't share them. I mean, I think that part of the deal is that we have to get some core things we can agree on and accept that there are going to bethings that we are absolutely opposite about, because we understand the powerof our alliance is greater than the differences that we have.

In an effort to continue naming history, using voice, and documenting movements for change historically andcurrently, Heirs to a Fighting Tradition will hold its first Summer Gala Fundraiser on Saturday, August 15, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the ArtsCenter, 300 E. Main St., of Carrboro. This event will inform our community about the vast organizing history in our state and inspire youth to become involved in local organizing efforts. Please come out and support this greatgroup and its volunteers and hear their stories. Enjoy light refreshments, drinks, spoken word, and media presentations while you learn of all the social justice and activism that surrounds you. Hopefully you'll be inspired to become an activist for socia ljustice as well. A suggested donation for the event is $10 and will help Heirs continue its work in North Carolina. For more information visit www.heirsproject.org