Service, solidarity and community take center stage at “The Miracle on Ninth Street”

AFT delegates, community members and advocates gathered Wednesday afternoon at the historic Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., for "The Miracle on Ninth Street," a community service event that kicked off the AFT convention.

Volunteers worked side by side in one of Washington's most historic faith institutions, packing backpacks filled with books for preK-12 students, bagging meals for families facing affordability challenges and putting together hygiene and wellness kits for people experiencing homelessness. Participants also took part in beautification and revitalization projects throughout the church.

The setting carried deep historical significance. Shiloh Baptist Church was founded in 1863 during the Civil War by formerly enslaved people and has long served as a cornerstone of the Washington, D.C., community, providing programs and support for students, families and residents across the area.

"Every convention, one of our traditions is to do service in the community," AFT President Randi Weingarten told the crowd. "Part of who we are as educators is finding ways to lift up the vulnerable, create power and opportunity for our children, and ensure our neighbors have what they need to thrive," she said. "The most important thing we can do, beyond the work we do every day to make a difference in the lives of others, is not just talk the talk but walk the walk. That's why we are at Shiloh today."

AFT Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus said the day reflected the AFT's long-standing commitment to giving back. "Giving back is deeply embedded in the DNA of the AFT, so we wanted to perform our community service around convention at an institution that truly understands community," said DeJesus.

For many delegates, serving with fellow union members offered a chance to connect with the reason why they entered public service in the first place.

Margaret Negrelli, a delegate and retired member of the United Federation of Teachers, said the invitation to participate immediately resonated with her. "Teachers are people of service," she said. "It makes me feel good to come out and help. I think it's important to demonstrate that it doesn't take much to make a difference in someone else's life."

Rebecca Bradshaw-Smith, a Shiloh member, convention delegate and member of the Washington Teachers' Union, said the partnership between the church and the AFT felt like a natural fit. "When AFT came to the church and said they wanted to partner with us, it was amazing," she said. "It's wonderful to see the kids come in, pick up a book and get excited about reading."

The event showcased the power of partnerships and community organizing while reinforcing a broader message: Unions are not just workplace institutions-they are community institutions. Solidarity is built not only through advocacy but through action.

For the Rev. Dr. Essentino Lewis Jr., Shiloh's senior pastor, the event represented exactly the kind of partnership communities need. "We exist to be an integral part of the lives of the people in the neighborhood we serve," said Lewis. "No one can do this kind of work alone. We need people of like mind to come together, multiply our efforts and do the significant work our neighborhoods need. We are grateful for this partnership. It's inspiring to see such genuine concern for the community."

[Adrienne Coles/Photo credit: Pam Wolfe]