Both Sides Of The Conversation’s Post

Standing Together Against Attacks on Black-Led Organizations Dear Community Members, It is with a heavy heart and a resolute spirit that I address you today regarding the ongoing attacks on Black-led organizations within our community. The systematic racism and hatred that continue to target these essential pillars of our community are abhorrent and unacceptable. Time and time again, we witness the relentless assault on Black leadership and organizations that aim to uplift and empower our community. Every moment of Black joy and excellence is met with disproportionate scrutiny, excessive policing, and unjust penalties, stripping away the very foundation of normalcy and freedom that should be inherent to all. The unfair burden placed upon our political and community leaders is evident for all to see. The obstacles they face simply for daring to pursue a better future for our community are unjust and must not go unchallenged. Now, more than ever, we must stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity. We must uplift one another, support our Black-led organizations, and collectively strive to move our community forward towards a more just and equitable future. Together, let us be unwavering in our commitment to combating racism, supporting Black leadership, and creating a community where all can thrive without fear of persecution or discrimination. In unity and strength, Jon Henry Both Sides Of The Conversation Changing The Narrative From Our Voices.

JAE will attend this important panel discussion on Embrace Boston's Harm Report, February 27, 2024 - Addressing the seven injury areas of significant historical and contemporary consequence for Black Boston.

Neighborhoods and communities matter. For many, they are the foundation for beautiful and meaningful connections. When connectedness occurs, safety is inevitable. Research has shown that healthy neighborhoods and communal conditions have a profound impact on Black children and their futures. Safe communities for Black children mean safe spaces, community cohesion, school connectedness, and neighborhood services. Safety is an essential part of life that inspires empathy, resilience, and empowerment. This election season safe communities are on the line. It is pivotal that we elect leaders at both the local and national levels who understand Black children and communities need safety to foster feelings of belonging and inhibit prosperity. Safety is the groundwork for a hopeful and bright future. Our vote must represent this belief for our Black children and communities to grow.

Charting a path toward redesigning public safety systems can be difficult, especially for communities lacking the necessary resources and funding to get started. Our roadmap provides a jumping-off point for exploring new models of funding public safety while centering communities in the conversation. Every Black community deserves the investment needed to undo the widespread harm caused by racist systems. Reallocating public safety resources will take time, bold action, and a commitment to Black liberation and equity for all. Explore our toolkit: https://lnkd.in/dwTm6QQh.

When educators speak, we should listen! Thank you to the Black Educators Advocates Network for their recent report. It highlights key steps/activities schools and leaders can do to create more equitable, affirming and professionally satisfying working conditions for Black educators. Among the findings, it's telling that 45% of Black educators reported that their school values the expertise of educators of color and supports their professional development. Educators also reported that mentoring (60%), pathways to leadership (53%) and more time to collaborate (51%) would be most impactful to their professional growth and development. These data are consistent with other national surveys of Black educators. As leaders and policy makers evaluate their retention strategies, it's critical they listen to the voices of educators to ensure their solutions align, otherwise they're likely fail.

In the wake of Sonya Massey's tragic death, our hearts are heavy with sorrow and outrage. As we continually discuss public safety strategies, we must confront a painful question: What does "safety" truly mean for Black women who seek protection within their own homes, only to face fatal outcomes from the very individuals sworn to safeguard their lives? We rebuke this state-sanctioned violence; it is unacceptable and intolerable. We say her name, Sonya Massey. We carry her memory, and we remember the countless others who have suffered similar fates. This cycle of trauma and terror is not an incident; it is generational, an echo of heartache that repeats through our communities. In solidarity with the Anti Terror Police Project, we recently gathered for a rally and vigil, creating an altar adorned with flowers as a tribute to Sonya. Holding a rose intended as an offering, I allowed myself to envision a world where Black women are safe, appreciated, cared for, and loved. This fleeting moment of peace only strengthened my determination to transform this vision into reality. We are not seeking excuses. We demand genuine, effective solutions. Our call is for justice, accountability, and the reimagining of a society where communities can thrive in true safety, unthreatened by those meant to protect them. To Sonya's family and to all touched by this and other acts of state violence, we offer our solidarity and love. Even as we grieve, we hold onto hope—a fierce belief that together we can create pathways to healing and construct the safe communities we all deserve. In this moment of reckoning, let us channel our collective pain into strategy, rage into action, and let our cries for change roar until they can no longer be ignored.

Black youth make up 72% of the youth in Eva’s programs, as compared to only 9% of Torontonians who self-identify as Black. The time to act is now, and our strategic plan reflects the urgency we feel to make a difference. Explore the 'why' behind our actions and join us in this important mission. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g-cNNEuh

My full summary of the research piece, "Attending to the Adversity of Racism Against Young Black Children," by lheoma Iruka and team is available below. The authors (Iruka et al., 2021) highlight the myriad of overlapping ways in which White supremacy disadvantages Black children and their families and asks us to look critically at ways we can support the inherent brilliance and excellence of Black children and families. The authors advocate for policy making in three areas: preservation of Black children’s identities and cultures, protection of Black children and their families, and the promotion of Black children and their families’ health, wealth, and development, (Iruka et al., 2021). https://lnkd.in/gTJAMRjR

In this week's FOCUS: Inside Black DC, The CBC introduces an agenda to build Black wealth, House members introduce a bill to increase racial equity, and more. https://lnkd.in/e9pZSY-x

If you're a white person or a non-Black person of color, I really don't believe that you should have Juneteenth off. (Dis)respectfully, today ain't about y'all, and it doesn't sit right with my spirit that while a bunch of you corporate professionals get to "celebrate", that there are plenty of Black folks who are not being afforded the same luxury and are being required to "keep the machine turning" or else risk the very real negative impacts of existing under capitalism. If you planned on taking the day to kick your feet up, and chill, I implore you to reconsider. There are more effective, and respectful ways for you to acknowledge and take action such as: - Opening up a book, and learning more on the history of today and it's significance. - Supporting organizations and/or groups that center the needs of Black folks. - Directly donating funds to not just the Black folks in your immediate proximity, but extending that act to strangers (ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE AT WORK TODAY) - Contributing to mental health funds, or other resources that can help Black folks get what they need. - Having conversations with your org leaders to reconsider the ways in which they choose to acknowledge Juneteenth, to ensure that they're specifically targeting and offering support to their Black employees. It's really that simple!