(BPRW) Spelman’s Title IX Office Receives $21,000 from Bison Impact Group in Support of Domestic Violence Efforts

Encouraging relational wellness and community off and on the golf course

(Black PR Wire) Spelman College’s Office of Title IX and Compliance recently received $21,000 in support of their mission to end campus domestic violence from the Bison Impact Group (BIG), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) introducing Black people to golf for relational wellness and fundraising to stop violence against women and children.

BIG has donated roughly $10,000 to the Title IX office over the past two years, affirming and upholding their mission to end domestic violence across the campus community. In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, BIG hosted their annual golf tournament, which connects students and survivors of intimate partner violence. The event incorporates sports, philanthropy, and awareness to encourage unity, healing and community. This signature event not only raises awareness but also creates a safe space for dialogue between attendees to discuss the growing problem of domestic violence, while building new connections through the game of golf.

“Partnerships like this one with Bison Impact Group allow us to expand the reach of our prevention and response efforts while also promoting healing through community engagement,” said Paula Hall, assistant director of Prevention & Intervention. “It’s powerful to see sport and advocacy intersect for a cause that impacts so many in our communities.”

BIG works in tandem with HBCUs to address and eliminate domestic and intimate partner violence, the leading cause of death for Black women under 45. Spelman and Howard, the top two HBCUs in the nation, are prominent partners that raise funds to directly support the efforts of Howard’s Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program (IVPP) and Spelman College’s violence Prevention and Intervention Program (VP&I).

“We strategically partnered with Howard and Spelman, consistently the top two ranked HBCUs, to provide supports necessary for students and survivors to finish their education, and model healthy relational behavior in the broader community,” said BIG Founder Russ Green. 

BIG supports violence prevention programs at HBCUs through fundraising using several outreach initiatives. BIG Boot Camp, Soulful Sundays, Skip Day for Kids and Caregivers, and the annual HBCU Golf Tournament, which is purposely held during the monthly observance and HBCU homecoming season.

“The funds raised by BIG give us the opportunity to address the direct needs of folks right in front of us,” said Kristin Couch, associate director of Title IX and Compliance. “Whether it is through training or trauma-informed response services, we’re able to meet people right where they are.”

Source: Spelman College