Twins: A Legacy of Community and Strength
Derrick and Darrell, known affectionately as the Twins, were beacons of hope in their community. Their unwavering family values and dedication to communal prosperity earned them admiration and respect. They aspired to create a lasting legacy through their trucking business, employing friends and family. Beyond their entrepreneurial spirit, they nurtured exotic pit bulls, with Derrick becoming a wellspring of knowledge on the breed.
Tragedy struck on Christmas Day 2015 when Derrick passed away, leaving a legacy to be honored. The family faced trials of disconnection and incarceration, and in October 2022, Darrell followed his brother in passing. It was then that I realized the urgency of continuing their vision, marking the start of my transformative journey.
Sisters: Forming Bonds of Support
In my grief, I felt isolated and misunderstood, which led me to establish the Twins Sisters Grief Support Group. We aimed to create a sisterhood, that provided strength and empowerment to women enduring similar pain. However, our mission expanded to embrace the community, guided by the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which stresses the importance of collective humanity. We endeavored to support our community and family as Derrick and Darryl Joseph had dreamed.
Cumulative: Building a United Front
The Twins Sisters, the community, and the principles of Ubuntu formed a cumulative force for change. We sought to address the disparities and decline of our once-proud community, exacerbated by the crack epidemic and societal upheaval. Drawing on my nonprofit experience in East Oakland, I began crafting a business plan for a new nonprofit in honor of the Twins, aiming to revitalize community programs and mend what was broken.
Supportive: The Hub of Hope
Our plan required us to become a supportive hub, starting in East Oakland and expanding nationwide. We pledged to assist those neglected by the system, securing grants and rallying community support to rebuild our neighborhood, brick by brick. We aimed to combat social stigma and address the mental health crisis, advocating for systemic change and immediate action.
Networking: Creating Connections
We set out to construct a robust networking system, partnering with government agencies, nonprofits, and real estate firms to streamline access to resources. Recognizing the flaws in the existing system, we leveraged our lived experiences to rectify what academia could not. Our goal was to establish a networking pipeline that would facilitate data collection and address racial inequalities, led by those who truly understand the community’s needs.
Corporation: The Foundation of Tomorrow
Currently, we stand as a corporation of individuals committed to a brighter future for our descendants. Our vision is to evolve into a foundation that honors the memory of the Twins, Derrick, and Darrell, who sought to empower the communities of Oakland to reclaim their heritage.
This is the essence of the Twins Sisters Cumulative Supportive Networking Corporation, built on the principles of unity and perseverance and we stand on business. “You feel me,” as Derrick would say, encapsulates our shared determination.