Collective Impact Forum’s Post

For Native communities, child care is a vital link to preserving culture, fostering community, and empowering future generations. Jennifer Rackliff’s work centers on uplifting Native children and families by embedding history, values, and traditions into early childhood programs, ensuring children grow up proud of their identity and connected to their heritage. Read more about Jennifer and other Native American early childhood leaders in our latest blog, "Finding Our People: Educators Share Their Advocacy and Leadership Journeys." https://lnkd.in/gZkHxYy6

BSR offices in the U.S. will be closed today in observance of Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in America, as Union soldiers marched on Galveston, Texas in 1865. 159 years later, we acknowledge the continued impact of racialized systemic oppression on Black communities throughout the United States and beyond. Whether your company chooses to recognize or observe this holiday, there is an opportunity to approach its commemoration in a way that advances DEI and social justice efforts within your organization. For BSR members, several resources developed by our Equity, Inclusion & Justice (EIJ) team are available in the member portal to help you get started, such as: Allies+: Ally, Advocate, and Accomplice: https://lnkd.in/gZnn_95H; and Inclusive Leadership: https://lnkd.in/gXmT9wrm. For all viewers, we're also pleased to share The Social Justice Guide for Business: Moving Beyond Crisis to Action, developed by BSR's Center for Business and Social Justice: https://lnkd.in/d-ZyUKtZ. We welcome you to engage with these resources and/or reach out to our team, ready to partner with you to further your DEI ambitions and programming. Email us at web@bsr.org. We stand resolute that to achieve sustainability, we must promote equity and justice. #happyjuneteenth, #DEI, #sustainablebusiness

Camino Research Institute (CRI) delivered its 2024 Western North Carolina (WNC) Latino Community Strengths & Needs Assessment Report, shared by CRI Manager Sarai Ordonez, who was the excellent project lead. The survey mostly captures the strengths, needs, gaps, and actual preferences and priorities of Hispanic and Latino/a/e people in WNC and in particular the undocumented population, whose voices are rarely heard, much less understood. 91% of survey respondents are immigrants from 16 different countries of origin, with 71% from Mexico. What do survey respondents value most about the Latino people and community? Latinos recognize and take pride in their work ethic and entrepreneurship, as well as volunteering, cultural diversity, dependability, and sense of family and unity. Latino concerns include the need for greater access to healthcare, including dental care, preventative healthcare, vision care, and mental healthcare; access to systems, including healthcare systems, with greater bilingual competency; and access to drivers licenses to increase system engagement and improve overall quality of life. I encourage everyone to read the report and learn more about our Latino/a/e community. I serve on Camino's WNC Community Advisory Board—the only non-Latino on a board of fabulous Latino leaders and difference makers. #Latino #Hispanic #inclusion #healthcare #wellbeing #diversity #community

CCPH Engagement Lead Emily Finley has co-authored an article recently released in The Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship. "Reflections on the Development of a Nationwide Community-Engaged Resource Center During the COVID-19 Pandemic." This article describes the creation of the RADx-UP Engagement Resource Center, a collaboration between CCPH, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill CHER, and DCRI, as part of our work with the RADx-UP CDCC. Read here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g6mRNQRq

Engaging youth in discussions about violence and community safety is crucial for fostering a sense of responsibility and empowerment. Youth legacy takes initiatives as an opportunity to engage our youth so they can discuss the five W’s and scenarios to act out. - programs where youth can take on leadership roles, allowing them to advocate for safety initiatives in their communities. This can foster a sense of ownership and accountability. -Involve youth in service projects that promote safety, such as neighborhood clean-ups or organizing events that bring the community together. —Host forums where youth can voice their concerns about violence and safety in their neighborhoods. Allow them to collaborate with community leaders to brainstorm solutions.

"Recognizing the need for more teachers to pave the way to educational opportunity, Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, Ed.D., superintendent for Peoria Public Schools (PPS), says it is her goal to have 'highly qualified teachers in every classroom.'" Learn more about the district's innovative approach to building its teacher workforce from within the community—including a partnership with BloomBoard—in this WorkingNation feature focused on workforce development in Peoria, Illinois: https://lnkd.in/eHMv5t74

"...because youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are the leaders of today❤️" Yes, indeed. Both AmandaGrace Krier, AAS, CPS and Joshua Calarino from Youth MOVE National have been guests on our STAY Tuned podcast, a podcast about mental health, made by, and for, transition-aged youth. The podcast comes from our Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research. If you want to hear more from AmandaGrace or Joshua, you can listen to them here: https://lnkd.in/gC5yvMDd #YouthMentalHealth #YoungAdultMentalHealth

Calling all outdoor industry professionals!! Sign up before September 4 for the Racial Justice Weavings, Fall 2024 Season. The Weavings are a weekly online gathering for outdoor industry folks to learn about and grapple with white supremacy, racism, and racial justice in outdoor education and recreation in the US. Anyone working in the outdoor industry is welcome, no matter their role or level of experience. We don't assume any previous knowledge about racism in outdoor spaces, just a willingness to have the conversation. Yes, there's a requested cost because we all live in this rabidly exploitative late capitalist hellscape, and we're trying to make this work sustainable BUT: 1. BIPOC folks ride for free and 2. We will not let cost be a barrier to anyone participating. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eV4kceCJ Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/e5c7Pc-s We'll leave you with a few words from the Weavings crew: "Hey, dominant culture peeps! If you’re baffled but open to getting help in understanding why your DEI game still isn't really on, GW&D is the deeper dive you're looking for." Paul Duba, MPA, PCC, NCC "Thanks to this cohort led by Ella and Steph, I am growing in ways that profoundly impact my career, how I show up for my community and personal relationships, and my role as a parent." AJ Wojtalik "Steph and Ella are intentional and expert facilitators with expertise in coaching and consulting. In their antiracism practice, they hold space for curiosity and growth while firmly interrupting bias and harm. Their coaching is guided by compassion for everyone involved." Briana Golden Copeland "Steph and Ella are fantastic facilitators. They built an environment where I was very comfortable being uncomfortable. They developed a learning community of outdoor educators with various levels of experience and roles from seasonal field staff all the way up to executive leadership. I learned a lot about racial justice. I also picked up some communication tools that I use with my leadership team on a regular basis." Ben Fickett

Change starts with individuals courageous enough to challenge the status quo! Words can’t fully capture how honored I feel to be featured as an innovator in the Valuing Homes in Black Communities Challenge! If you’ve been following my journey, you know I’ve been deeply transparent about the housing trauma my family endured—and still confronts to this day. Housing insecurity is almost impossible to put into words. It’s a pain that leaves a lasting mark. That’s why my wife and I founded zanago and built Kataba: to help families avoid the heartache we experienced as homeowners. As we conducted research and listened to countless stories from other homeowners in majority-Black communities, we uncovered the devastating extent of devaluation and how deeply it impacts our communities. Being recognized by Economic Architecture and The Brookings Institution for this work is a truly honorable moment! Standing alongside other passionate innovators, all committed to driving change in Black communities, is the ultimate reward. But let me be clear—this recognition isn’t just about me. None of this would be possible without my business partner and life partner, my wife, Arlene Byrd. Arlene, thank you for believing in this vision and for walking this path with me every step of the way. And a big shoutout to Tyrome Smith for sliding into my DMs with the opportunity to apply. Sometimes, one message can change everything! Now Innovators of VHBCC...let's continue to build up some Black communities and beyond! Change happens by Design #Social #Impact #ResponsibleInnovation #Kataba

We’re proud to see our Executive Director, John Haines, and the Community Investment Trust model recognized as Featured Innovators in the Valuing Homes in Black Communities Challenge by Economic Architecture and The Brookings Institution! “The Community Investment Trust (CIT) model democratizes access to real estate investment for communities historically excluded from wealth-building. The CIT allows residents in select neighborhoods to invest $10-$100/month in local commercial real estate. In return, they receive competitive returns and an ownership stake in their community. Piloted in Portland, Oregon, the CIT is now expanding to other cities. Place-based nonprofit organizations, with support from the CIT Services team led by John Haines, are stewarding these projects. CIT combats displacement and promotes equity, local ownership, and community belonging.” Read more about the Featured Innovators here: https://lnkd.in/gY5tCpWk #CommunityInvestmentTrust #ValuingHomes #Innovators #Equity #Brookings #wealthbuilding #economics