{"id":8375,"date":"2026-02-16T09:51:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T15:51:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/utrgvradio.com\/?p=8375"},"modified":"2026-02-16T09:51:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T15:51:35","slug":"local-organization-speaks-up-during-black-history-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/utrgvradio.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/16\/local-organization-speaks-up-during-black-history-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Local Organization Speaks up during Black History Month"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/utrgvradio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/BHM0216_mixdown.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">An organization is working year-round to elevate and unite cultures while strengthening connections with the African American community.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Village in the Valley (VIVA) Co-President Teresa Gatling said the idea to start the organization came out of conversations about the lack of&nbsp; community among the African American population in the Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gatling said the organization\u2019s mission is centered on culture, connection and celebration. She said Black History Month is not just about looking back, it is about teaching future generations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>\u201c<strong>We have to teach the next generation what we\u2019ve been through, where we\u2019re going so that we can continue to just drive and do better and bigger things.\u201d Gatling said.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>She added one challenge in the Valley is the population is spread throughout the region making the connection difficult. Gatling said the sense of isolation especially impacts young students.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p><strong>\u201cI don\u2019t like being the only black kid in my class. I don\u2019t like being, I&#8217;m biracial and no one looks like me, and because we\u2019re so spread out, it is hard and you might be the only one.\u201d Gatling said.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The co-president said VIVA works to create belonging and visibility through monthly mixers, cultural celebrations, mentoring programs and community initiatives such as free clothing closet and thanksgiving dinners for elders.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Village in the Valley General Member Vikki Wright said she joined VIVA to build connections, not just within their own community but across different cultures in the Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wright said Black history month is important for her because it provides intentional space to reflect, to educate, celebrate the legacy and the resilience of achievements of black individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She said VIVA includes mentorship initiatives, which highlight black owned businesses, support youth leadership and create safe space for dialogue.Wright said representation is important.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>\u201c<strong>When black residents see themselves reflected in leadership, media, education and community initiatives, it reinforces belonging and opportunity. Visibility also helps break stereotypes, encourages cross-cultural understanding, and ensures that the full stories of the Rio Grande Valley include every community that contributes to its success. <\/strong>\u201d Wright said.\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>She said her message to young African American students in the Valley is their aspirations and voices are valid and their presence is powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p><strong>\u201cEducation, Discipline, faith and resilience can open doors that once seemed impossible. Never allow anyone to define your limits. Focus, stay grounded, and stay committed to growth. Believe in yourself, even when it\u2019s hard, believe you\u2019re future is worth the effort.\u201d Wright said<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br>For more information visit the village in the valley <a href=\"https:\/\/villageinthevalley.org\/\">website<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An organization is working year-round to elevate and unite cultures while strengthening connections with the African American community.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":8377,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[696],"tags":[832,433,44],"class_list":["post-8375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","tag-832","tag-local","tag-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Local Organization Speaks up during Black History Month - 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