Paul Ferguson, AIA, NOMA’s Post

If you want a glimpse at the extraordinary heart, soul, and intellect of New York’s Chief Judge, watch this short video of his remarks at our recent event.

If you're a white supervisor interested in deepening your anti-racist approach in a supportive peer space, register for our next offering of Liberatory Principles & Practices for White Supervisors on Tuesday, July 30th! https://lnkd.in/gu6z9wps We often think of our healing and liberation as a garden that blossoms and thrives because we tend to it. Now, what happens when the pesky invasive species of white supremacy culture are set on destroying it? In our Liberatory Principles & Practices for White Supervisors training, we invite white social justice and nonprofit leaders to engage in this metaphor as a way to unpack and uproot how the characteristics of saviorism and defensiveness might be showing up in their supervision practices.

Up for some social studies PD this weekend? Check out this conference, in person for the NY folks, or virtually. I'll be speaking about how to re-imagine social studies activities for k-6, moving away from harm and to celebration. https://lnkd.in/euATG2an

Did you know that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is actively working on reparations to address historical harms against African American descendants of enslaved people, as outlined in the June 2024 Board motion? It is part of Los Angeles County’s formal apology for its role in slavery & post slavery injustice. The on-going reparations will address the following “Harms Caused by Slavery”: 1) Enslavement 2) Racial Terror 3) Political Disenfranchisement 4) Housing Segregation 5) Separate & Unequal Education 6) Racism in Environment & Infrastructure 7) Pathologizing the Black Family 8 Control over Creative, Cultural & Intellectual Life 9) Stolen Labor & Hindered Opportunity 10) An unjust legal System 11) Mental & physical harm & neglect 12) Wealth Gap Eligible individuals can participate in future reparations programs by completing the interest form available on the County’s reparations webpage. Get involved, scroll down and sign up: Reparations in Los Angeles County https://lnkd.in/gfXbqn2K,

This week's #blackhistorymonth features focused on eminent domain as a means of Black Displacement. Historically, eminent domain orders overwhelmingly affected neighborhoods largely populated by Black residents. Therefore eminent domain orders would singlehandedly displace entire communities and populations of a city’s Black population. Click through or pause to learn more. Check the comments for organizations that support preservation and protection of historic spaces. #blackhistorymonth2024 | #blackhistory February 9, 2024

Do you have a Black Lives Matter sign in front of your house? If you have kids, do your kids know what Black Lives Matter means to you? Your sign offers a great opportunity to talk to your kids about white supremacy.   Do your kids know that the police do not act in a vacuum? Fear, control and violence are part of the construction and maintenance of the structure of white supremacy in America. Our police departments grew directly out of slave patrols. They act as a critical part of the control and violence that upholds unequal and unjust outcomes for communities of color. I’m not anti-police. I’ll be the first one to call 911 in an emergency. And I have once experienced the relief and joy of knowing the police were there to protect me (I barely remember the danger, but I remember the feeling of being protected - it was amazing). I also know that involving the police means that anyone who looks like me is in greater danger. I know that anyone with mental health difficulties, autism, or other developmental deficits, is in greater danger. And I believe it doesn’t have to be this way. I believe if we can talk to each other and our kids about race, we can build better, safer police departments and a better, safer country. I know that talking to your kids about race can be difficult; I’d like to help. I’m offering a developmentally appropriate guide for talking to kids from 0-18 about race. You can get it for free here. https://lnkd.in/gVt5GwGP

Knowledge work is about shared meaning making from day one! See what it looks like when research engagement actually starts as a partnership.   For this study, Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County invited an advisory group of community leaders to re-define what access means for advancing Black homeownership. Over 100 community residents participated to deepen the understanding of what actually works.  https://lnkd.in/eBm7Skrb #equity #knowledge4justice #socialchange

One of our organizational values is Justice, and on Juneteenth we'd like to recognize the meaning of justice within our organization: “We are well aware that the social, political, and financial biases of humans make the balance of justice easy for some and very difficult for many. The scales of justice, be it legal or social, have a heavy human hand on one side of the scale that many do not have the resources to gain the supportive weight needed to offset the preconceived attitudes toward them. We see the shelter and its staff as the balancing force needed to help people get the fairness they deserve.” As you commemorate, celebrate, or reflect upon the significance of Juneteenth today, we want to recognize our team for their devotion to all our values, and our mission. They are on the frontlines of so many social and spiritual issues at St. John’s Ministries, and it is important to slow down and consider how all this weaves into the greater moral issues of our time.

The significance of this day and its legacy is never lost on me as I continue to learn and work to be better. It's not just a day of celebration but a call to action for all of us. In marketing and media, I consider it a big responsibility to amplify diverse perspectives and invest in platforms that support this crucial dialogue. Juneteenth, marking the end of slavery in the United States, is a reminder of the resilience and contributions of Black communities throughout history. Yet, despite these contributions, Black voices continue to be underrepresented and misrepresented in our culture and media. You don’t need to be too aware to see what research shows us, that Black Americans often face stereotypes in media portrayals, and their stories are frequently marginalized or overlooked entirely - even today. As marketers, we hold the power to reshape this narrative. By consciously investing in Black-owned media outlets and inclusive storytelling, we can help elevate these essential voices and foster a more equitable society. It's about more than just representation; it's about genuinely listening and reflecting diverse experiences in the work we do. Learn more about the history and significance of Juneteenth from the National Museum of African American History and Culture https://lnkd.in/ewYsmBsz. Let's all commit to being part of the change.

Happy Juneteenth! We want to highlight the importance of centering Black folks in how we all celebrate today.  As a healthcare professional, how is your practice and organization countering racial injustices and promoting an inclusive human experience for patients, families, and staff daily? We would like to share a few ways to honor Juneteenth today by gaining awareness and taking action as a healthcare professional. The link provided below from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, is a great starting point to increase awareness and includes a digital toolkit. We also encourage each of us to commit to at least one implicit bias interruption skill you can cultivate in your daily life. One example could be Shift the Frame during communication with fellow healthcare professionals. For example, when you notice phrases being used to describe a patient or family, ask for more information, “Can you tell me more about what was difficult/picky/challenging?” and promote consideration of what the family’s perspective may be with your colleague and how to promote partnership with the patient. Bias interruption is a daily practice, and one that supports the actionable changes needed to decrease racial injustices in healthcare. As we all celebrate Juneteenth today, we must also continue to move from awareness to action to improve health equity. #HealthEquity #ImplicitBiasInterruption #AwarenessToAction https://lnkd.in/gqvPZFF