Glennie R. Bennett, Dr. Masonya J. Bennett, Winnie M. Bennett (Left to Right)

-Frederick Douglass, Abolitionist and Civil Rights Activist

I come from a lineage of Black women educators, activists, and community organizers. Their legacy sustains my purpose as an educator and my on-going quest to better our local and global communities by sharing knowledge, expanding awareness of the world and its diverse cultures, and inspiring new possibilities for disadvantaged youth.

Coming of age in rural Morven, North Carolina, while I experienced an education system with limited resources, I also came to understand the significance of the phrase, “it takes a village to raise a child”--what we were unable to receive in school, community leaders made up for with love, support, and encouragement. As the child of a social worker and a retired USAF veteran, I was fortunate to grow up learning about my history and culture. I developed an inquisitive nature and desire to travel and explore the world.

My grandmother, Glennie R. Bennett was instrumental in bringing affordable healthcare, free food and services to the elderly, and summer youth activities to the town. My father, Nelson Bennett, established the Anson Sportsman Club, which created a range of sports and recreational activities, trips and mentorship for young Black men. My mother, Winnie M. Bennett established the Morven Chapter of Las Amigas, Inc., a women’s organization geared toward a variety of community-based initiatives.

I established Parallel Cultures in 2019, to continue and build upon a legacy of community activism, engagement, and enrichment.

- Dr. Masonya J. Bennett, Founder and Executive Director