Abbreviation | TEAM |
---|---|
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 mass murder 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.
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]
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]
Abbreviation | TEAM |
---|---|
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 mass murder 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.
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]
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]