Movement Strategy Center’s Post

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a celebration of liberation and resilience. On June 19, 1865, Major General Granger enforced the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas, marking the true end of slavery in the Confederacy.🎉 As a pediatrician, author, speaker, and youth advocate, I am who I am today because my ancestors were freed from the chains of slavery. Their fight for freedom unleashed the potential of generations to come. Slavery suppressed the talents and potential of Black Americans for far too long. Juneteenth reminds us of the resilience and strength of those who came before us. It’s a day to honor their struggle and triumph. We must remember that the fight for true equality and justice is ongoing. Reflecting on our history inspires us to strive for a more just, equitable, and compassionate world. Let's celebrate the progress we've made while acknowledging the work that still needs to be done. Together, we can build a future where everyone’s potential is realized. On this Juneteenth, I stand on the shoulders of giants and commit to carrying their legacy forward. How will you honor this day and contribute to equality and justice? Let's share, comment, and discuss how we can create a better future for all. 🌟

MLK day is not a corporate holiday. It is not for companies to use while simultaneously benefiting the same systems that perpetuate racism. It is not for virtue signaling and participation in service, only to use acts of service as an engagement strategy. Think about how you’ll use LinkedIn today. Think about if your urges to speak up and take up space truly align with allyship, or if they align more with your need to distance your proximity to racism. Uplift Black voices. Listen. Don’t congratulate the companies for shallow cherry-picked quote dropping. https://lnkd.in/gikKGMZw

Shifting to liberatory practices requires deep attention to relationships, structure, and power in organizations. At The LeadersTrust, we are slowly building out our liberatory practices and framework to shape how we work with each other and our partners. There are no road maps on how to build a liberatory culture, so there are a lot of lessons learned along the way. Grateful for this article from Harvard Business Review by Alli Myatt on the need and impact of bringing in liberatory practices to the workplace. The shift from an extractive model to a more inclusive model where everyone can be seen and heard needs more attention. "Shifting business fundamentals away from extraction toward liberation can fundamentally change our businesses. In the words of the Combahee River Collective, “If Black women were free, it would mean that everyone else would have to be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all the systems of oppression.” Liberatory practices that center the wisdom of Black women have the potential to transform our workplaces and offer a path to doing great work together." #inclusion #equity #liberatorypractices #culture #philanthropy #nonprofit https://lnkd.in/gDUKK8mB

Today, and every day, is a great opportunity to:* -support Black-owned businesses -properly credit Black colleagues and creators for their work -pay and support reparations -eliminate pay inequity -interrogate your biases and internalized racism (individually and organizationally) -unlearn false narratives and misinformation -expand knowledge of actual history -learn better and do better -continuously engage in doing the work of antiracism Today may be day one (rather than "one day") for you. And while any day is a great day to do the right thing, to have a better impact, and to follow through with better actions, please do not let it become a "one day only." We cannot passively usher in a better and equitable tomorrow. True and lasting equity, dignity, and justice require a sustained, continuous commitment to actively building a better today and a better tomorrow. Over and over, moment by moment. Until it is realized. #Juneteenth #equity #support #reparations #AntiRacism #DoTheWork *Yes, this is a calling in particularly of fellow yt folks.

Unleash the power of the Black community with information and resources on Black power. Explore the history, leaders, and movements that have shaped the Black power movement. #BlackPower https://lnkd.in/erwiPvMp

MAAR Spotlight: MARGINALIZATION Marginalization is a repackaged form of discrimination and covert racism. You can't claim to be a true fighter for justice and equality, and ignore this... or worst be guilty of implementing acts of Marginalization. The process whereby something or someone is pushed to the edge of a group and accorded lesser importance. This is predominantly a social phenomenon by which a minority or sub-group is excluded, and their needs or desires ignored. FIGHT RACISM IN ALL ITS UGLY FORMS!! **Have you experienced or witnessed Marginalization? Please share below** 📍Power + Privilege = Change for Good Want to support and fight against racism? Start by understanding your own power and privilege. White privilege is a thing, but it’s not the only thing: we all have power and privilege. Once you understand your privilege, you can start to change the way Black people are valued and treated in America. The power you have can end the systemic and institutional racism Black people experience daily. The virtual conversations and workshops are designed for you and your community to reflect on how you use and benefit from privilege. These conversations may at times be uncomfortable. We encourage you to be open and embrace the discomfort...And they are all virtually available to you in the safety of your home! The legacy of "allyship activism" is the foundation's building blocks and guiding principles on which MAAR's platform is proudly rooted and founded. Click the link to join our Moms Allyship Against Racism (MAAR) Facebook Group Page: https://lnkd.in/eqRpZPB Follow us on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/gpNKgDNw Visit our website: https://lnkd.in/ehgYJvs ** Visit our website to sign up for Virtual Meet and Greet and Anti-Racist Workshops: https://lnkd.in/eT95FS8 ** Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://lnkd.in/g6UxWSiS **Follow us on Instagram @maarwest2020

No pithy MLK Jr. quote today. MLK Day is one day out of 365. Black History Month is one month out of 12. Racism, discrimination, hate, bias, inequity exist 365 days a year. It's real. It's painful. It's an exhausting fight. Instead, here's my ask. Do one thing. Do one thing everyday to build bridges, to help someone be heard, to challenge the status quo. Learn. Reach out. Speak up. Invite in. Ask if someone is okay. Raising Black voices up does not mean you have less opportunity. It means that we are stronger when we open doors for others than when we hide behind them and refuse entry. What will you do today? What door will you open? What hand will you extend? Just do one thing. #MLKDay #antiracism #doonething #MLK365 #diversity #equity #inclusion

When folks think of Alabama or the Deep South, they often think of it as a place where racism and bigotry abound. I always ask… how is that different from any other place in this great nation?  Racism and bigotry are everywhere. It just behaves differently in other parts of the country. My location on the map has an egregious history that has been graphically seared into people’s minds. And while these incidents happened, remember there is a companion set of experiences that Black, Brown, and Indigenous people are experiencing where you live- including right now.  But, we can create a future free of those incidents. IF we want to…. Every pocket of America where decisions are being made, is in need of racial equity transformation.  That means that this work is needed across every inch of this country. Personally, I grew up in a small town that was Black, white, and Native American in very distinct ways. I am a proud Southerner and a Black woman. I also come from nearly a century of entrepreneurs, and have spent three decades in the philanthropy sector. All these identities help me move through rooms where grasstops decisions are made ... and move those in the room towards power-sharing and sincere investment in Black and Brown leaders. This clip is from my keynote at the Sista Summit, put on by Tokiwa T. Smith of Tokiwa T. Smith Consulting. I share a bit of my story, where I come from, and how those identities help me lead on race. What are your identities, and how do they help you lead on race? #RacialEquity #BlackWomen #DeepSouth #Alabama #Philanthropy

Unveiling the Roots of Racism: When Age Does Not Equal Wisdom. Imagine an older, sophisticated-looking lady who could easily be your mother or grandmother, making monkey movements and sounds towards black people in public. Such behavior from a seemingly respectable individual can be shocking and deeply unsettling. But what does it reveal about the beliefs she holds and the environment she has been part of? This incident prompts us to consider the profound influence of long-held convictions and the teachings passed down through generations. If this lady feels comfortable enough to display such offensive behavior in public, what might she be saying and teaching in the privacy of her home? The actions we witness are often just the tip of the iceberg, hinting at a deeper, more pervasive belief system. It might be tempting to dismiss her behavior as unintelligent or irrational. However, it is essential to understand that people often act based on what they have been taught and what they believe to be true. For some, the outdated and debunked idea that black people are somehow less human has roots in misguided interpretations of scientific theories, like those of Charles Darwin. Consider this: if someone described this lady's actions without any visual evidence, you might find it hard to believe. Her friendly face, civilized demeanor, and status as a senior could easily mask the prejudices she harbors. This disparity between appearance and action highlights a crucial point: age does not necessarily bring wisdom. Instead, it often reinforces the beliefs one has held throughout their life. The behavior of this older lady serves as a stark reminder that racism and prejudice can persist in even the most unexpected places. It challenges us to confront the uncomfortable reality that racism is not just a relic of the past but a present issue perpetuated by individuals who may appear harmless or respectable. The actions of this elderly woman underscore the need for continuous education and awareness to combat deeply ingrained prejudices. We must recognize that wisdom and intelligence are not merely a function of age but are deeply connected to one's willingness to challenge outdated beliefs and embrace a more inclusive and understanding worldview. Age does not equal wisdom; it is living by what one believes to be true that shapes our actions and interactions with others. "Racism doesn't age; it reinvents itself, adapting to cultural shifts while maintaining its bitter core." ~ Auset Ankh Re About me: disrupting your thought process and possibly inspiring new thinking patterns 🧠