Norfolk Public Schools’ Post

Join us at Merriment Social for Policy in a Pub on June 10 starting at 5:00 PM! The program will feature our President & CEO Kevin Giglinto in discussion with Gregory M. W., a senior VP at the Medical College of Wisconsin, on how collaboration could improve among arts groups, and what role civic leaders might play in its future direction. More information can be found below!

Excited to share my white paper, “A Framework for Professional Development of Black Artists”! This comprehensive study examines the unique challenges faced by Black college-aged artists and offers actionable strategies for cultivating sustainable careers in the arts. Key Takeaways: 1. Barriers to Success: Black artists often face systemic hurdles, including limited access to arts education, financial resources, and professional networks. 2. The Importance of Supportive Communities: Drawing from the HBCU educational model, the paper emphasizes creating spaces that affirm identity, foster community, and develop leadership. 3. Essential Skills: Professional development programs must focus on business acumen, networking, and community-building to equip artists with the tools needed for long-term success. 📚 This work is rooted in the principles of community-based participatory research and centers the voices and experiences of Black artists. It’s more than a framework—it’s a call to action for arts organizations, educators, and advocates to prioritize equity and inclusion in the professional growth of Black creatives. Let’s reimagine what’s possible for Black artists together. Dive in and let’s start a conversation about change! #BlackArtists #ProfessionalDevelopment #EquityInTheArts #HBCUModel #CommunityBuilding #JusticeInTheArts #ArtsLeadership Would love to hear your thoughts—let’s discuss how we can implement this framework in real-world settings!

Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh has awarded $1.2 million in new grants to 24 individual artists, collectives & arts orgs. This is the second year the program funded by The Pittsburgh Foundation & the Endowments has provided two-year grants for project-specific support. Learn more about the awardees & their exciting projects by following the link in the comments. The Legacy Arts Project; Tyra Jamison; Addoley D.; August Wilson House; The Equity | Impact Center; Day Bracey; Dr. Ameela Boyd (Ph.D); Marques Redd; Mikael Owunna; New Sun Rising; Sibyls Shrine

"I had never seen a Black doctor growing up, and one of the crazier things is I never saw a Black doctor until I hit college," says Dr. Dontal Johnson, Meharry alum, professor and pediatrician.   CBS Evening News “Eye on America” looks at Meharry Medical College’s role among the four HBCU health science centers, and the personal experience of Meharry’s own Dr. Dontal Johnson as part of their story addressing the U.S. shortage of Black physicians: “Why the U.S. medical field is pushing for more Black doctors.” Watch the CBS segment here: https://lnkd.in/eCCmeyR6

https://lnkd.in/dfW-n6jA Black medical doctors at 6% of licensed MDs, and their professional/fraternal organization, the National Medical Association, always laser focused on the national Black Agenda. Black architects - stuck at 2% of licensed architects - MUST adopt the NMA model in the drive to be relevant to the Black Agenda.

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎧 In the latest episode of #EntrepreneurialAppetite, we dive deep into the world of design with two incredible guests: Dr. Terresa Moses, editor of the An Anthology Blackness: State of Black Design, and guest host, Shawn Rhoder, founder of Nohmad, Inc. 💡✨ Dr. Moses opens up about how the murder of George Floyd served as the catalyst for her groundbreaking work. At the same time, Shawn Rhoder encourages us to rethink design beyond its traditional boundaries, elevating Black identity as a vital part of that conversation. 🖤✊🏾 Together, they discuss the power of the Black experience as a research methodology, advocating for more Black voices in design and publishing. They also share invaluable insights on creating community-centered designs that are rooted in empathy, intentionality, and a deep respect for cultural dynamics. 💼🌍 We also tackle how to build trust within the Black community in tech and design sectors, even when faced with systemic barriers. 🛠️💪🏾 Through open communication and collective agreements, we explore ways to maintain authenticity and foster collaboration that leads to true liberation. 🖤🤝🏾 Don't miss this conversation filled with actionable insights and heartfelt anecdotes on how design can transform not only our spaces but also our relationships and communities. 🎧 Tune in now! #BlackDesign #EntrepreneurialAppetite #CommunityDesign #BlackVoices #BlackIdentity #Tech #Design

#BlackHistoryEveryday | SPEAK celebrates the genius of Otis Boykin, an inventor whose innovations have saved countless lives. Boykin's work on electrical resistors contributed to the development of pacemakers, improving the quality of life for heart patients worldwide. His contributions to technology, from guided missiles to consumer electronics, underscore the breadth of his ingenuity and his commitment to advancing human health and safety through innovation. Boykin's legacy as an inventor and a pioneer in electronics serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring scientists and engineers, demonstrating the profound impact of using one's talents and creativity to better humanity. We choose to SPEAK black history #beyondFebruary with a commitment to spotlight one black individual daily from now throughout the end of March and then one weekly throughout the year, symbolizing the importance of acknowledging black history every day. Follow the hashtag #SPEAKblackhistory to read about some incredible individuals in the coming weeks and months. #OtisBoykin #InnovativeInventor #ElectricalResistors #PacemakerDevelopment #HealthcareAdvancements #TechnologyInnovator #HumanSafety #GuidedMissiles #ConsumerElectronics #IngenuityInTechnology #LegacyOfInnovation #PioneerInElectronics #InspirationForScientists #EngineeringExcellence #ImprovingHumanity #InventiveGenius #CreativeInnovation #blackhistory365 #blackhistoryeveryday #InventorLegacy #HumanitarianImpact #TalentsAndCreativity #BetteringHumanity #InspiringFutureGenerations #ElectronicsPioneer

As a young clinical audiologist, Henry Louis Taylor Jr. found that the socioeconomic realities of many of his Black patients affected his ability to help them. To truly serve his community, he realized, he would need to understand the root causes of their circumstances. So he quit his job and went back to school to study urban history. Now, as professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, founding director of the Center for Urban Studies, and associate director of the Community Health Equity Research Institute at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, Taylor is on a mission to reverse the historic inequities that have created such a wide gap between Black lives and white lives. In this episode, the self-proclaimed activist scholar talks to host Ellen Goldbaum-Kolin about his latest and most ambitious effort: The East Side Neighborhood Transformation Project. https://lnkd.in/epr2a4bA #UBuffalo #UBuffaloArchPlan

✨ Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy: A Call to Action ✨ Every year on MLK Day, I reflect on the weight of Dr. King’s dream and my responsibility to uphold it. As an African-American doctor, I feel a deep obligation not only to live up to his vision but also to inspire and mentor the next generation of Black physicians. Right now, we are facing a crisis in medicine. There is a growing doctor shortage, and within that crisis, African-American students are applying to and being accepted into medical school at lower rates than before. Even more concerning, Black physicians—especially Black women—are leaving medicine at disproportionately high rates. This is a tragedy, and it stands in stark contrast to the future Dr. King dreamed of. In recent years, we’ve seen attacks on affirmative action and the dismantling of DEI initiatives. Policies that were meant to open doors for marginalized communities are being rolled back, undoing decades of progress. This is not the dream. This is not justice. Dr. King once said: “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman.” This injustice persists today, as racial disparities in healthcare and physician representation continue. So today, I challenge you to reflect on Dr. King’s dream and ask yourself: ➡️ What are you doing to uplift and inspire others? ➡️ How are you supporting young people of color in pursuing their dreams? ➡️ What actions will you take to ensure that King’s vision of justice, equality, and opportunity lives on? For me, this means continuing to mentor, advocate, and fight for representation in medicine. Because when we invest in the next generation of Black doctors, we invest in the health and future of our communities. Let’s be intentional about carrying his dream forward. What will you do today to embody Dr. King’s legacy? ✊🏾💙 #MLKDay #KeepTheDreamAlive #RepresentationMatters #BlackDoctorsMatter

It is high time for meaningful #HealthEquity. If you’re interested in accessible, powerful research in this area, I recommend: Follow Uché Blackstock, MD and read her powerful insights in her book Legacy. I gave it to several of my premed students. Also follow Sabia Wade and check out her book Birthing Liberation. Wade’s book opens up understanding the embodied consequences of medical racism and provides real potential solutions. Both Wade and Blackstock discuss the Flexner Report. Look into it, and see the way Black health professionals (and Black health) were structurally, deliberately, and systematically attacked throughout US history. Finally, follow L C De Shay for regular, accessible content on Reproductive Justice, equity, and thought-provoking dialogue.