Celebrating Black History: Black nonprofits making a difference in the Valley
Daniella Lake
PALMS SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Every week during Black history month, News Channel 3 is highlighting the Black trail blazers and community members who’ve helped shape the Coachella Valley. Today, we’re taking a look at Black nonprofit organizations making a difference. The Carolyn Knight Mobile Resource Center provides care kits and meals for the homeless. The Mobile Resource Center was founded by Palm Springs locals Aneka Brown and Lariena Knight, in honor of their aunt.
“For decades, unbeknownst to even her family, she spent her own money and her own resources buying full course meals for people during the holidays,” says Brown.
Once a month, the Mobile Resource Center goes to areas unhoused people congregate to provide them essentials. “Times are hard. People are a paycheck away from being homeless,” says Brown.
The Negro Academic Scholarship fund has been supporting low-income high school students’ journey to higher education for over 50 years in the Coachella Valley.
“Going to college changed my life tremendously,” says Anjanae Miller who received the scholarship back in 1999. She says the scholarship gave her financial freedom during her college years.
“When I go to the table, I no longer have to question whether I belong here. I know that I belong here,” says Miller.