Audubon Nature Institute’s Post

The YMCA Louisiana Youth and Government (Y&G) program is a statewide initiative promoting civic engagement through the YMCA's philosophy of being an organization that is continuously active in exercising social responsibility. This particular program prepares high schoolers for moral and political leadership. Through Y&G, teens learn about and experience government policies first-hand and learn how they can be changemakers to improve their communities. Plus, teens form lasting friendships, benefit from mentors, and sharpen their critical thinking, public speaking and writing skills. The mission of the YMCA Youth & Government program is two-fold: To encourage and foster leadership through service, fellowship, responsibility, and respect for oneself and others among all participants, and To educate and engage students in the process of government from local to national to international so that they become more active participants in their communities. DEMOCRACY MUST BE LEARNED BY EACH GENERATION"

The Power of Representation Representation matters. The underrepresentation of Black individuals in leadership roles perpetuates a cycle of non-inclusivity and lack of awareness. A mere 3.2% of executive or senior-level positions are held by Black professionals, a glaring disparity that undermines the effectiveness of diversity and inclusion initiatives. "Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," says Vernā Myers, VP of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix. Organizations must actively elevate Black voices in decision-making roles to dismantle systemic barriers. This includes implementing mentorship programs and leadership development initiatives and ensuring diverse perspectives are present at the table. Dive into our blog post, "Unmasking the Barriers: The Journey of Black Americans with Disabilities in the Workplace" Part 2 of 5, https://lnkd.in/g73x_ZYr At Baker Consulting, we understand the complexities of creating accessible and inclusive workplaces. Our READI2B framework is designed to help organizations navigate this journey with empathy, courage, and strategic vision. We work closely with businesses to assess their current practices, identify areas for improvement, and develop comprehensive plans that prioritize the needs of marginalized communities, including Black Americans with disabilities. Reach out to us today to learn how we can support your organization in dismantling barriers and embracing equity. #DiversityEquityInclusion #DEI #EquityForAll #InclusionMatters #Accessibility #Equality #Disabilities #WorkplaceCulture

A.W.P.A.Y.P. These are the "Proximity" focused activities that are an essential Action Section to the effort towards Ending Mass Incarceration!

This year, the Oikos Institute for Social Impact will once again recognize those in the Black Church and Historically Black Educational Institutions (HBEI's) that have innovative approaches to serving their community at our second Fishing Differently™ Impact Awards/Gala and Conference. Candidates are those who are using their spaces and places to make an impact in their community. Their properties are used to address issues of food insecurity, affordable housing, childcare, and recidivism or to create revenue and jobs. These are the types of projects that will be considered. We are looking for those projects that exemplify what it means to be Fishing Differently™ for social impact. We praise and celebrate those who share in our passion for this work. WHO WOULD YOU NOMINATE FOR A FISHING DIFFERENTLY™ IMPACT AWARD? Please share who you think meets these criteria and why in 200 words or less. All nominations are due no later than January 31, 2024. Pictured here: Rev. Dr. Abdul Knox (honoree), Rev. Dr. Denise C. Picket (honoree), Dr. Otis Moss III, Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams (co-founder of Oikos) , Rev. Jeremiah Wright (honoree), Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount (co-founder of Oikos), Rev. Demetrius Davis (honoree), Rev. Lisa Williamson (honoree), Richard Townsell (honoree) https://lnkd.in/eREMPNs9

This year, the Oikos Institute for Social Impact will once again recognize those in the Black Church and Historically Black Educational Institutions (HBEI's) that have innovative approaches to serving their community at our second Fishing Differently™ Impact Awards/Gala and Conference. Candidates are those who are using their spaces and places to make an impact in their community. Their properties are used to address issues of food insecurity, affordable housing, childcare, and recidivism or to create revenue and jobs. These are the types of projects that will be considered. We are looking for those projects that exemplify what it means to be Fishing Differently™ for social impact. We praise and celebrate those who share in our passion for this work. WHO WOULD YOU NOMINATE FOR A FISHING DIFFERENTLY™ IMPACT AWARD? Please share who you think meets these criteria and why in 200 words or less. All nominations are due no later than January 31, 2024. Pictured here: Rev. Dr. Abdul Knox (honoree), Rev. Dr. Denise C. Picket (honoree), Dr. Otis Moss III, Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams (co-founder of Oikos) , Rev. Jeremiah Wright (honoree), Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount (co-founder of Oikos), Rev. Demetrius Davis (honoree), Rev. Lisa Williamson (honoree), Richard Townsell (honoree) https://lnkd.in/eREMPNs9

This year, the Oikos Institute for Social Impact will once again recognize those in the Black Church and Historically Black Educational Institutions (HBEI's) that have innovative approaches to serving their community at our second Fishing Differently™ Impact Awards/Gala and Conference. Candidates are those who are using their spaces and places to make an impact in their community. Their properties are used to address issues of food insecurity, affordable housing, childcare, and recidivism or to create revenue and jobs. These are the types of projects that will be considered. We are looking for those projects that exemplify what it means to be Fishing Differently™ for social impact. We praise and celebrate those who share in our passion for this work. WHO WOULD YOU NOMINATE FOR A FISHING DIFFERENTLY™ IMPACT AWARD? Please share who you think meets these criteria and why in 200 words or less. All nominations are due no later than January 31, 2024. Pictured here: Rev. Dr. Abdul Knox (honoree), Rev. Dr. Denise C. Picket (honoree), Dr. Otis Moss III, Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams (co-founder of Oikos) , Rev. Jeremiah Wright (honoree), Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount (co-founder of Oikos), Rev. Demetrius Davis (honoree), Rev. Lisa Williamson (honoree), Richard Townsell (honoree) https://lnkd.in/eREMPNs9

This year, the Oikos Institute for Social Impact will once again recognize those in the Black Church and Historically Black Educational Institutions (HBEI's) that have innovative approaches to serving their community at our second Fishing Differently™ Impact Awards/Gala and Conference. Candidates are those who are using their spaces and places to make an impact in their community. Their properties are used to address issues of food insecurity, affordable housing, childcare, and recidivism or to create revenue and jobs. These are the types of projects that will be considered. We are looking for those projects that exemplify what it means to be Fishing Differently™ for social impact. We praise and celebrate those who share in our passion for this work. WHO WOULD YOU NOMINATE FOR A FISHING DIFFERENTLY™ IMPACT AWARD? Please share who you think meets these criteria and why in 200 words or less. All nominations are due no later than January 31, 2024. Pictured here: Rev. Dr. Abdul Knox (honoree), Rev. Dr. Denise C. Picket (honoree), Dr. Otis Moss III, Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams (co-founder of Oikos) , Rev. Jeremiah Wright (honoree), Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount (co-founder of Oikos), Rev. Demetrius Davis (honoree), Rev. Lisa Williamson (honoree), Richard Townsell (honoree) https://lnkd.in/eREMPNs9

Next in the Restoration through Storytelling series, "A Land Stewardship Storytelling Series of East Multnomah County", gatherings designed to elevate Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) ancestral agricultural wisdom, restore and preserve cultural traditions along with uplifting storytelling as a meaningful knowledge system. This series focuses on showing how the intersections of place based storytelling and opportunities to restore cultural and community traditions are interwoven with and related to lands and waters stewardship. https://lnkd.in/gTMtsmYx

Take a moment to let yourself be inspired by these people. A just world will almost certainly be a clean one. They don’t always go hand in hand - we can imagine fossil fuel companies investing in #carboncredits - but in a world where we have real justice for people, it’s clear that we can’t have justice without a safe environement. It’s also clear that the problems are systemic and need most of us to work to fix them. You can do this, too. PS: #blackhistory is important for lots of reasons. Here’s one: because black people have the unfortunate cultural legacy of oppression that can make them more powerful and clear-eyed in the face of bold crimes committed by people with authority. Things like planet-killing. Truth to power. And it’s on all of us to do the same. So don’t just be inspired to learn: join up!

Last week, I finished my first course serving on staff of Wood Badge, an advanced, national leadership course open to Scouting volunteers and professionals. Those who know my story know my commitment to Scouting -- a life-altering experience for me (and many other young people in our nation). Those who know me WELL know that my commitment to Scouting was truly tested in 2000, when the Boy Scouts took a case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court defending their right to expel members because of sexual orientation. Especially starting law school in 2001, being "the Boy Scouts guy" was hard to defend for a few years. Fortunately, what I knew and the public did not is that the Boy Scouts of America was much, much more than the public image it portrayed and was absolutely moving in the direction of justice. Today, it is not only accepted but commonplace to serve alongside volunteers without any concern about their sexual orientation whatsoever. When we teach about reverence, we teach Scouts (and adults) that it means being faithful to your religious beliefs while respecting the religious beliefs of others, including those who don't have a religious faith at all. And as a loud, proud #girldad, it has been the joy of my life to watch my own daughters experience the program to which I owe so much. If only other organizations -- say, universities and too many workplaces -- were able to so completely make the transition into what America was always meant to be. What our Founders meant for us to be! So you can probably imagine how my excitement only builds as the Boy Scouts of America embarks on its next chapter under a new name, now "Scouting America." The vision of our organization is a world where every youth in America is prepared to be a responsible, participating citizen and leader, and our specific aims are leadership development, citizenship training, personal fitness, and character development. The photograph below depicts our Wood Badge staff team of "Troop Guides," and it reflects what Scouting America is today: a place for everybody... truly everybody! Whether it's as a parent, a leader, or a committee-level volunteer I invite you to take a look at our program and to join the Scouting Movement today! (P.S. The "Diversity" slide in the background was a total coincidence. But... it happens to be who we are, so...)