The Tolerance, Equality, and Awareness Movement
 | |
| Abbreviation | TEAM |
|---|---|
| Motto | "A Different World Is Possible." |
| Formation | March 31, 2010 |
| Type | 501(c)(3) |
| Legal status | Tax-exempt Nonprofit Corporation |
| Purpose | Educational and Charitable |
| Headquarters | Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States |
Membership | Public |
Board President | Christopher Surfus |
Key people | Christopher Surfus, Alexandra Minor, Brianna Schmidt, Mark Hitz, and Caleb Hartmann. |
| Website |
teamwmi |
The Tolerance, Equality, and Awareness Movement, known by the acronym TEAM, is a federally tax-exempt human rights organization. TEAM is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was founded by in 2009 by Chris Surfus. TEAM was incorporated in 2010 and became a 501(c)(3) federally tax-exempt nonprofit in 2011 through Internal Revenue Service classification as a public charity.[1]
The Tolerance, Equality, and Awareness Movement organized the July 2011 candlelight vigil at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in Grand Rapids, MI[2][3][4] for the mass murder victims and families, which made international news. The 2011 Grand Rapids, Michigan mass murders were committed by Rodrick Dantzler, who ultimately committed suicide after a standoff with Grand Rapids Public Safety. Vigil assistance was provided by the American Red Cross and Grand Rapids Public Safety. In addition, TEAM organized a counter-protest against the Westboro Baptist Church's planned picketing of United States First Lady Betty Ford's Funeral[5][6][7] and TEAMwork: A Night of Dance and Drag for Diversity at The Pyramid Scheme nightclub and music venue[8][9][10] in Grand Rapids.
Organizational History
The Tolerance, Equality, and Awareness Movement was originally a Facebook group, started in response to LGBT and racial discrimination experienced by several members at a Grandville, MI business. Facebook became one of the major platforms to spread the organization's mission on human rights. TEAM formally incorporated on March 31, 2010.[11]
TEAM focused initially on educational events, like discussion panels and lectures,[12] without funding from any sources. TEAM uses three Facebook pages to promote its organization, with approximately 4,000 followers.
The organization has done the following, according to its website, a Holland Sentinel article, and interviews with the Grand Rapids LGBT History Project, Speak Up! Panel Project Series, Anti-bullying Program (which includes addressing local school districts),[13] Diversity and Inclusion Program, Nondiscrimination policy work,[14] general outreach at community events, participation in the Grand Rapids LGBT History Project,[15] and providing disaster relief services.[16][17]
Recognition
The Tolerance, Equality, and Awareness Movement was recognized by the City of Grand Rapids Board of Commissioners as a nonprofit organization in March 2012.[18]
References
- ↑ "Exempt Organizations". Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved 04/01/2012. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ Ellison, Garret. "Hundreds gather downtown to honor victims of Grand Rapids mass murder tragedy". Mlive.com. Retrieved 07/08/2011. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ LaForge, Chelsea. "Grand Rapids community struggles to find peace, trying to find meaning in the Dantzler murders". The Rapidian. Grand Rapids Community Media Center. Retrieved 2012-04-16.
- ↑ "Hundreds gather to honor victims of Mich. killings". Grand Rapids Press. Victoria Advocate. Retrieved 2012-04-17.
- ↑ Tunison, John. "Will Westboro Baptist Church protesters attend Betty Ford's Grand Rapids funeral? Police do not expect trouble". Mlive.com. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
- ↑ Warren, Scott. "Overcoming ignorance: the counter-protest against hate speech in Grand Rapids". The Rapidian. Grand Rapids Community Media Center. Retrieved 2012-04-16.
- ↑ "TEAM to Engage Westboro Baptist Church with Peaceful Human Chain". GRNow.com. Retrieved 2012-04-16.
- ↑ "The Pyramid Scheme Bar". The Pyramid Scheme.
- ↑ Helakoski, Claire. "For five bucks you get a night of dance and drag at The Pyramid Scheme". On The Town. Mlive.com. Retrieved 12/06/2011. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ "TEAMwork: A night of dance and drag for diversity". The Rapidian. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
- ↑ "Michigan Business Entity Search". State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
- ↑ "Diversity and Inclusion lecture series to start Wednesday". The Rapidian. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
- ↑ "Facebook page under scrutiny". Advance Newspapers. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
- ↑ Ermak, Lisa. "Restructuring of Holland's gay rights ordinance still needed before passage". Holland Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
- ↑ "Grand Rapids LGBT History Project". Grand Rapids LGBT History Project. Retrieved 12/01/2011. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ "Programs". The Tolerance, Equality, and Awareness Movement. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
- ↑ "Around the World, In Your Community: Interview with TEAM President Chris Surfus". PaleoRadio. Public Reality Radio. Retrieved 04/06/2012. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ "Official Proceedings of the City Commission of the City of Grand Rapids, MI" (PDF). City of Grand Rapids, MI. Retrieved 2012-03-28.