The Black Futures Lab’s Post

Today is the start of Black History Month, and throughout this month we will be highlighting members of the adoption constellation who are whose work sits at the intersection of adoption and race - because every month should be Black History Month in an adoption landscape that includes Black infants and children adopted into non-Black families. Podcasters, authors, educators using social media to teach, artists, creators - we have a huge list, and we are always looking for your recommendations for who we can learn from. Drop a note in the comments if you have a resource to share and we can add it to our list. #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackHistoryMonth365

In a world where marginalized communities often face adversity, celebrating joy becomes an essential act of resilience. I was asked recently from people within the Black community to please share more books that don't center Black trauma. This blog post explores the importance of recognizing and valuing Black joy every single day through 10 books from known and brand new authors across a wide range of genres. Key Takeaways: Humanizing Narratives: Embracing Black joy allows us to see beyond the narratives of trauma, acknowledging the full spectrum of human experiences within marginalized groups. Diverse Perspectives: The post sheds light on the diversity within the Black community, emphasizing the need to appreciate and celebrate the richness of individual stories and accomplishments. This MUST happen through the lens of the community themselves and not an outsider's opinion. 365 Days of Joy: Joy is not confined to a specific time or event; it's a continuous, year-round celebration. Recognizing this reinforces the idea that joy is an inherent and integral part of every individual's life. We don't stop celebrating any marginalized group simply because their "history month" is over. 📚 Explore and Support: Visit Paperbacks and Frybread, our indie bookshop, to discover and purchase books mentioned in the post. Dive into the world of diverse and joy-filled literature that amplifies voices from various backgrounds. Let's cultivate a culture where joy is not just a fleeting moment but a constant thread woven into the fabric of our understanding and appreciation for one another. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g2BMtHs3 #EmbraceBlackJoy #DiverseBooks #PaperbacksAndFrybread 📖✨ #amreading #bookstoread #decolonizeyourbookshelf #BlackAuthors #BlackBooks

Khalid’s 29 Days of Blackness ❤️🖤💚 Day 14 BLACK LOVE: “Nurturing Bonds Across Self, Romantic, Family, Friendship and Community!” Black love encompasses a profound spectrum of connections that extend far beyond romantic relationships. It intertwines the richness of familial ties, the nurturing of self, and the resilience of community bonds, each layer contributing to a tapestry of strength, support, and solidarity. At its core, romantic black love celebrates the beauty and resilience of black relationships. Rooted in shared experiences, it navigates through historical traumas and societal pressures, forging bonds that are both tender and resilient. In a world that often marginalizes and stereotypes black love, it stands as a testament to the power of affection, commitment, and mutual respect. Family plays a central role in the narrative of black love. From the intergenerational wisdom passed down through oral traditions to the unyielding support found in extended kinship networks, family bonds provide a foundation of strength and belonging. Through moments of joy and hardship, black families demonstrate unwavering love, resilience, and collective empowerment. Self-love is an essential pillar of black love, often serving as a source of resilience and resistance against systemic oppression. In a society that perpetuates harmful stereotypes and standards of beauty, self-love becomes an act of liberation—a radical affirmation of one's inherent worth and dignity. It involves embracing one's identity, celebrating cultural heritage, and prioritizing mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Friendship/Community is the bedrock upon which black love thrives and flourishes. It encompasses solidarity, mutual aid, and collective action, fostering a sense of belonging and shared responsibility. Whether through grassroots activism, cultural celebrations, or communal gatherings, black communities create spaces where love, joy, and resilience can be celebrated and nurtured. In essence, BLACK LOVE is a multifaceted phenomenon that transcends individual relationships to encompass familial, communal, and self-affirming bonds. It is a testament to the resilience, strength, and beauty of black people, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration in a world marked by adversity and injustice. As we continue to navigate the complexities of existence, let us cherish and honor the myriad forms of black love that enrich our lives and sustain our communities.

Black liberation isn't just concept to discuss. It's a life orientation that challenges and reprioritizes our values in ways that change how we actually move in the world. And by the way, you don't have to be Black to contribute to a world where Black people are free to be, and express, and build, and grow. I was reminded in a recent post by the effervescent Caroline A. Wanga about the Dr. Cornel West quote that says, "Justice is what love looks like in public." So let me ask you—what does your love look like in public? What does your love actually DO?? Because love that doesn’t actively and practically move us all toward justice is just sentimentality. I'm not talking about the emotion of love. I'm talking about the action of love. What loving movements are you making this Black Business Month (and beyond)? Drop some action ideas in the comments so that we can all do better. #blackbusinessmonth #blackliberation #drcornelwest #carolinewanga

♥️ Valentine's Day Promo: Highlight a special promotion or sale 🖤 Black History Month Spotlight: Share stories, contributions, or achievements of Black individuals in your industry. You could also highlight how your business supports diversity and inclusion. 🤍 Behind-the-Scenes: Give a glimpse of your team hard at work. This could be tied to a February theme, like preparing for a spring launch. 🤎 Educational Content: Share tips or insights related to your industry that are particularly relevant. For instance, if you're in finance, you might talk about preparing for tax season. #contentideas #februarycontent #valentinesday #contentmarketing

If we and to get to a place where all lives matter, then we have to make sure that black lives matter, too. - Alicia Garza 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁? 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲! #BlackHistoryMonth #ICanHelpU2 #homeownership #realestatetips

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆: •Run a Valentine’s Day sale or promotion to show your customers how much you love them. • Send your customers your Valentine’s Day promotion over email so they get a little love in their inbox. • To celebrate Black History Month, share your favorite quotes from Black leaders or historical figures on social media and ask your audience to share theirs. • February is also Heart Disease Awareness month, so share resources on your social sites to educate your audience.

So triggering, there are a whole lot of Black women who have had to navigate similar situations as players 🏀 . What Angel is enduring is a part of a long line of systemic racism in media, on and off the basketball court. Whether it's being called "Nappy Headed Ho's" by Imus the radio host or, in my case, being told, "Your coach is not racist, after all, his wife is Asian." As Black female basketball players and former players, we are adultified—invisible, and are supposed to just "take it." It comes with the territory. Its a heavy, heavy load. We go to college to play ball. Unfortunately, it comes with a lot of bias. The narrative that every Black girl is from the "hood," tough, from the streets, uncultured, ungroomed; just like the media it can reflect in the write ups and individual bios in the media guides. I know in my college days at South Hampton LIU, seemed like all the young black women players had some write up that read, " street smart- or raw talent, needs to be refined. The female white players were described as "graceful" or "pleasant " its just how they see us. Whether you are referred to as “American Sweethearts” or “Dirty debutantes”, it’s the same bias that echo’s through the chambers of a long line of systemic racism -institutionalized racism– in sports. Enough is enough. #biasinsports#doublestandard#mentalhealth#protectourkidsmentalhealth #blackqueens#

Thanks to the City of Peterborough, Community Race Relations Committee, for inviting me to speak on Black Resilience in Mental Health. As a community, we have demonstrated our ability to withstand the torrents of oppression we face. As we commemorate Black History Month, may we continue in this spirit of resilience as we reclaim our mental wellness. Some tidbits to reflect on: 1. Know you are not alone. In the spirit of UBUNTU, I am because WE are. We need to support each other. 2. Seek support. Find a sense of community, fortify your tribe and lean into them when you need support. 3. Educate yourself about yourself. Who are you in this season? Become reacquainted with who you are in this season. 4. Prioritize Self-care. Self-care isn't selfish. It is the external demonstration of self-love. Find time to do something that brings you joy and fills your cup. 5. Activism. Get involved in causes that you are passionate about. Yet, understandably, it can be exhausting to bear the weight of progress. Lean on your allies for support. Progress may be slow, but it has a rippling effect. Happy Black History Month. #blackmentalhealth #blackmentalhealthmatters #blacktherapist #wearethefuture #blackhistorymonth #mentalwellness https://lnkd.in/gUT2_W52

Black History Month is a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Black individuals and communities throughout history. When considering the intersection of Black History Month and mental health, it's important to recognize that historical and systemic factors can impact the mental well-being of Black individuals. In addition, it's essential to acknowledge the unique challenges and experiences that Black individuals may face in relation to their mental well-being. #blackhistorymonth #historical #trauma #mentalwellness  #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #creativementalwellness