A message from Dr Michele Warch SDARJ Board Secretary and Education Committee Chairwoman
Education has always been one of the most powerful tools for building understanding, expanding opportunity, and creating lasting change. At the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ), the Education Committee plays an important role in helping advance that mission.
In a recent message, Dr. Michele Warch, who serves as both Chairwoman of the Education Committee and Secretary of the Board, shared an inside look at the many ways the committee works to support learning, opportunity, and community engagement throughout Sussex County.
Investing in Students and Future Leaders
One of the committee’s most impactful initiatives is helping administer the Charlotte King Scholarship Fund. This scholarship supports graduating seniors from Sussex County high schools who identify as Black or African American and who have demonstrated a commitment to social and racial justice, along with active involvement in their communities.
By providing financial support for higher education, the scholarship helps empower the next generation of leaders—students who are already showing a dedication to making their communities stronger and more equitable.
Celebrating Young Achievers
The Education Committee also works with the African American Achievement Awards, which recognize students in two local school districts for their positive contributions to their schools and communities. These awards highlight young people who exemplify good citizenship and leadership, celebrating their accomplishments and encouraging them to continue striving for excellence.
Creating Space for Youth Dialogue
Another important initiative is the Youth Conversations program. Through this effort, SDARJ members visit youth-serving organizations throughout the community to facilitate open discussions with young people.
These conversations provide a safe space for youth to talk about challenges they encounter, including issues such as bullying and microaggressions. By exploring these topics within a racial and social justice context, participants gain valuable tools for understanding how racism can affect individuals and communities. The program also encourages young people—and their allies—to recognize how they can contribute to building a more respectful and inclusive society.
Building Strong Community Partnerships
The Education Committee’s work extends beyond individual programs. SDARJ collaborates with local schools and community partners to promote educational equity and support learning opportunities for all.
For example, the organization works closely with the Cape Henlopen School District, with community liaison Hattie Buhl helping connect the district and SDARJ in efforts that support racial justice within the school environment.
The committee also supports the organization’s long-running Book and Film Club, which encourages thoughtful conversations about history, culture, and social issues. Additionally, partnerships with organizations such as Rodel Foundation of Delaware and other community groups help advance initiatives focused on educational equity and early childhood education.
A Shared Commitment to Change
For Dr. Warch, being part of this work is both meaningful and deeply personal. She believes that addressing racism—particularly the structural racism embedded within many institutions—requires a collective effort from communities, organizations, and individuals alike.
Through scholarships, youth engagement, recognition programs, and community partnerships, the Education Committee continues to play a vital role in advancing SDARJ’s mission: eliminating racism and its harmful consequences through education, information, and advocacy.
As community members look for ways to support meaningful change—whether during fundraising events like Do More 24 or throughout the year—supporting the work of SDARJ helps ensure these important educational initiatives continue to grow and make a difference.
Together, through education and community engagement, progress is possible.
SDARJ's Monthly Book & Film Discussion
The SDARJ Book & Film Discussion was founded by Dr. Aimee Wiest and is hosted by the Lewes Public Library on the 4th Tuesday of every month.
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The following is an audio transcript of this video
Hi, everyone. My name is Dr Michele Warch, and I have the great pleasure as serving as both the Chairwoman of the Education Committee, and also the Secretary of the Board for the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice.
I think that you know all of the important work that happens in the larger organizations, so I really want to talk to you today a little bit about the Education Committee and what we endeavor to do, to support and educate folks in order to eliminate racism and its corrosive consequences.
So, we do lots of things. We, probably most importantly, help to administer the Charlotte King Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to, graduating seniors from Sussex County high schools who identify as Black or African American, who have demonstrated an interest in, social and racial justice, and being a positive member of their community.
We also have the opportunity to work with the African American Achievement Awards which recognizes children in two local school districts who are, good citizens and who invest in their, their schools and their communities.
We have a program called Youth Conversations, and that program is facilitated by two of our members who go out to a variety of youth-serving organizations, and meet with youth in our communities to talk about lots of things that our youth are dealing with. Things like microaggressions and bullying, within a racial and social justice context. That can really help to open up and give our youth tools on not just a safe place to talk about things, but also to help
Folks to be able to talk about what racism looks like in our society, and how it impacts others. With all… also, of course, the emphasis to help our, our allies to recognize that there’s a role that they can play as well. We have the great opportunity to work with, our larger organization with Cape Hen Lopen School District that Ms. Hattie Buhl helps us to work as a liaison, a community liaison, to help support racial justice in the school setting.
And we have, you know, the great benefit of having been able to support the Book and Film Club for quite a long time, and the amazing work that they do.
And you know, finally, we work closely with our community partners who are interested in supporting education, especially early childhood education and Rodell and other kinds of agencies, to be able to encourage and support,
The educational equity and needs of all people in our communities.
I am very proud of the work that we do, and I feel very honored to be a part of it. I have strongly believed for quite a long time that racism and the structural racism that exists in our society are problems that we all need to work toward resolving.
I hope that, in the upcoming Do More 24, and in any time that you’re consider… considering, your giving, that you might consider, offering support to Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice and the very important work that it does.
Thank you so much.
