East Bay Housing Organizations’ Post

Open Call! 📣 Help shape racial equity in NYC Government. Submit your feedback on the NYC Commission on Racial Equity (CORE)’s Community Equity Priorities by August 16. Why is this important❓ Racial justice is key to ensuring an equitable, vibrant, and diverse New York City dance ecosystem. The Community Equity Priorities are an important platform to advance cultural equity and reduce bias in city decision-making. This is your opportunity to give input on how you think equity needs to be implemented across our sector. This will impact agencies that decide language access for immigrant dance workers, housing access for low-income dance workers, and education access for dance students. It also includes agencies like the Department of Cultural Affairs. What can you do? Act now❗ Join Dance/NYC by submitting public feedback by the August 16 deadline. ➕ PLUS Field-Wide Calls are returning! Join our first call of the year on August 14 at 12:00 p.m. ET, where we will have a chance to learn more from CORE about the draft priorities and give feedback. Submit feedback: https://lnkd.in/djXW4yzd Register for the FWC: bit.ly/DNYCFWC24 #ArtistsAreNecessaryWorkers #WeAreNYCDance

Here's some thoughtful insights from kinship carer and longstanding campaigner for racial equity in kinship care, Sharon McPherson, who is co-founder of Families in Harmony. In this Sounddelivery Media article, she talks about #kinshipcare in Jamaica, the legacy of #Windrush and #barrelchildren and what lessons can be learned and shared. Lots to reflect on from her Churchill Fellowship programme about how to better understand the experiences of Black kinship carers, in particular those raising children in informal arrangements, through fostering respect and understanding of cultural identities. Read the article here: https://loom.ly/fTScZe4

Happy infographic Monday, today we are going to talk about safe spaces for people from marginalised groups. American Playwright Jeremy O Harris who was the originator of such performances spoke about his play ‘Slave Play in 2024’. Many people in the majority groups don’t understand the concept of Black only (insert any other minority) spaces and see it as discriminatory. We can liken the encouragement of marginalised groups to positive action, often seen in organisational or education settings. Positive action or affirmative action us when someone or groups of people from a minoritised group are encouraged to apply for jobs, or attend events due to the role specifically tapping into the lack of representation or events that specifically cater to a marginalised group/s. If you see headlines explaining about safe spaces or initiatives to create equity for marginalised groups and you feel they are unfair or discriminatory, think about why you think that? Understand what are driving your feelings? Are you aware of injustices that people who are marginalised face? If not, educate yourself. #EDI #safespaces #DEI

As we work to create a place for all to play, we acknowledge that this mission comes from a great loss. Bennett's memory will live on in the smiles and laughter of everyone who visits this space. This month was founded in 1989 by a group of bereaved parents wanting to for a community of support and love for others who are grieving. Today, this powerful movement gives space for those experiencing loss to come together and share their stories and move into comfort and hope. Please take time throughout this month to step outside, enjoy a beautiful sunset, or find a fun rock. These are small moments that bring comfort to those who knew and loved Bennett. [Image description: A blot of blue watercolor spreads from the center of the image. Centered is a drawing of an adult hand with a child's hand holding the index finger of the adult hand. At the top are the words "Bereaved Parents Awareness Month" and centered at the bottom is the quote "There is no footprint too small to leave an imprint on this world" by an unknown author.] #BennettsVillage #APlaceForAllToPlay #Play4All #ItTakesAVillage #InclusivePlayground #InclusivePlay #InclusivePlaySpace #PlayIsLearning #DesignForAll #BuildCommunity #PlaygroundFun #Accessibility #InclusionMatters #Inclusion #AllAbilities #LoweringBarriersToPlay #Charlottesville #CharlottesvilleVA #CvilleVA #BennettsVillagePlaySpace #AccessiblePlaySpaces #AllAbilitiesWelcome #ILoveCville #AlbemarleCounty

Happy infographic Monday, today we are going to talk about safe spaces for people from marginalised groups. American Playwright Jeremy O Harris who was the originator of such performances spoke about his play ‘Slave Play in 2024’. Many people in the majority groups don’t understand the concept of Black only (insert any other minority) spaces and see it as discriminatory. We can liken the encouragement of marginalised groups to positive action, often seen in organisational or education settings. Positive action or affirmative action us when someone or groups of people from a minoritised group are encouraged to apply for jobs, or attend events due to the role specifically tapping into the lack of representation or events that specifically cater to a marginalised group/s. If you see headlines explaining about safe spaces or initiatives to create equity for marginalised groups and you feel they are unfair or discriminatory, think about why you think that? Understand what are driving your feelings? Are you aware of injustices that people who are marginalised face? If not, educate yourself. #DEI #EDI #inclusion #Safespaces

These early interactions not only stimulate their growing brains but also lay the foundation for a strong parent-child bond after birth. So, go ahead, start talking and singing to your bump—it's not just about hearing, it's about building a connection that lasts a lifetime. Such a beautiful post. #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #earlyyearstimulation #responsivecaregiving

Nuggets of Wisdom: There's a phrase that goes, "Nothing About Us Without Us". It was used by Black people in South Africa who were fighting for their rights as citizens of their own country. It was also used by people who identified as having disabilities in the United States of America who were fighting for their own rights as citizens of their own country. This phrase has broad application but is rarely put into actual practice. There are committees, councils and commissions formed for the purpose of addressing pressing situations, yet rarely do they include those who are immersed in those situations. "Nothing About Us Without Us" means being totally and completely INCLUSIVE. In other words, make use of the tools and experiences of the people who will actually be affected by the decisions. For example, when accessibility features are included within design of a structure, not only should we seek the advice those who will actually use those features, (i.e. people with mobility barriers) but also have them test the features. If you have a Board making decisions concerning services for the unhoused (homeless), include people who have experienced being unhoused on that Board. If there is a committee with the purpose of addressing the needs of immigrants and their cultures, include immigrants on that committee (and provide interpreters). If there are groups set up to address the plight of Indigenous peoples, then not include those people, but also go to where they are and have the meetings there. We will never make real progress as a country if we continue to have contingents of people who are merely ADJACENT to situations making decisions about what happens to people who are actually IMMERSED in situations. There's a distinct reason why Zebras can't effectively tell Giraffes how to drink water. If they've figured it out, then why haven't we ?

Here's the good news from Pious Ali

I'd like to return to the question about how practical joy is as a city building objective. People continue to raise the concept of hierarchy of need and say - "surely we need to deal with the grim issues of our times before tackling joy. After all, people need food, housing and safety before they can entertain joy." I challenge that last sentence with the follow example: Maslow's Hierarchy of Need would suggest that southern black gospel music should never of happened. But this unbridled joy did happen in a society of slavery, poverty and violence. And more importantly, it played a major role in giving its community the resilience to carry on, thrive and create the civil rights movement. When I speak and write about collective joy, it is not in terms of the ultimate city building goal. It is the critical objective that leads to a compassionate, optimistic and unified community. It is through collective joy that we gain the resilience to tackle our issues. JOY is Practical. #citybuilding #healthycities #joyexperiments #urbanplanning #civic #cities #JOY

Allies can help make a difference to Black kids in foster care, speak up for important issues, take the time to understand their struggles, and work to create a fairer and more supportive system. By being informed and caring, we can help make sure that every child has a chance to grow up in a safe and loving home. Being an ally to Black children in foster care is a powerful way to create positive change. Read our article that outlines steps you can take, from educating yourself about Black kids’ unique challenges to actively advocating for systemic reforms. Discover the importance of consistent engagement and promoting inclusivity in all spaces. Read A Guide to Being an Ally, at embrace.kidsave.org.