Shirronda Almeida’s Post

This powerful quote by Cesar Chavez serves as a crucial reminder that individual success is inextricably linked to the well-being of our communities. Striving for personal achievement in a vacuum holds limited value. By working towards a greater good and fostering the success of others, we pave the way for a more prosperous and equitable society for all. This concept extends beyond the traditional classroom setting. As professionals, we have a responsibility to consider the impact of our actions on the communities we serve. Whether it's volunteering our skills, advocating for social justice initiatives, or simply being mindful of our environmental footprint, there are countless ways to contribute to collective progress. Let's spark a conversation! Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below on how we, as professionals, can contribute to the advancement of our communities. #SocialResponsibility #CommunityDevelopment #CollectiveImpact #BeyondTheClassroom #PurposeDriven #Leadership #

Celebrating Curious and Diverse Communities: Transcending Racism and Othering December 7, 12, 2023 12pm - 3pm CST Cost: $300 (30% discount for Academic, Government, HSD Associates, Nonprofit, 3+ register together I am excited to invite you to join me and Ms. Tamela Handie, for two Adaptive Action Lab sessions Racism and the act of “othering” is an “intentional or subconscious act of separating or distinguishing oneself as superior compared to those we believe to look, live, act, or think differently than ourselves.” It often shows up as judgments, assumptions, disagreements, and defensiveness. It leaves people feeling ignored, irrelevant, and invisible. Use your own most challenging and frustrating experiences with racism and exclusion to: See and understand racism as a pattern to be shifted, rather than a problem to be solved Experience the power of shared identity as it influences all your interactions Engage with others in creative, generative, and productive action At the close of these sessions, you will be prepared to begin a new journey toward equity in your personal and professional life, your institution, and your community. https://lnkd.in/gNUmAwu8  

We are excited to announce our new board of directors! Our board members bring together extensive experience in nonprofit management, planning, and fundraising and in-depth intersectional diversity, and we’d like to introduce you to board member, Jana Luft. ... Jana Luft is a former high school special education teacher and a White mother of two girls from Oakland, California. Through her education career, Jana became aware of the challenge progressive White parents often pose to education equity. She saw how resource hoarding affects our education system and how platitudes fail unless they’re followed up by direct progressive action. Alongside her personal activism, through her career, Jana has worked in education philanthropy, research, and advocacy to support education justice and has helped develop organizational best practices to create a culture in which staff and volunteers feel seen, included, and appreciated as full human beings. ... We are immensely excited to work alongside Jana and for what we can accomplish together at this pivotal stage in our organization! Learn more about each board member on our blog https://buff.ly/48coYTb ... #IntegratedSchools #BlackandWhite #Interracial #Multiracial #Identity #CivilRightsMovement #HumanRights #AntiRacism #DeSegregation #WealthEquity #DiversityandInclusion #inclusion #community #redlining #diversity #socialjustice #socialjusticeeducation #wealthgap #local #publicschools #parenting #parent #momlife #dadlife #boymom #girlmom #schoolchoice #privateschool #publicschool #class #classism

Tough work can be fun, complexity brings with it innovation, collaboration is motivating - that's what every day feels like as I sit in a unique position as the AmeriCorps #Bridging and #Democracy Fellow. The work we're advancing in partnership with so many giants is of great consequence, not just for the field of national service but for our country as a whole. I believe when we lean into hard conversations, not with the expectation of 100% agreement or compromise, but of shared understanding through deep empathic listening, we grow. Our pathways towards solutions grow, our capacity to articulate the nuances grows, and our willingness to be "yes / and" leaders also grows. It's with deep gratitude for so many incredible partners we work with directly and for the many more that we have yet to meet who are also doing the hard and impactful work. America's Service Commissions, BridgeUSA, Civic Health Project, CoGenerate (Formerly Encore.org), The Greater Good Science Center, Interfaith America , Service Year Alliance, and Convergence Center for Policy Resolution Bridging Images from several of our Partners: Interfaith Enrichment Corps, Lead For America, Move for America, Upstate Greenways & Trails Alliance, UServeUtah https://lnkd.in/e6r5e5cf

DEI has been at the center of community rec centers’ missions for years and allows the industry to see local communities through a different lens. But how can YMCAs, JCCs and community rec centers create real, impactful change versus just adding a blanket statement to their homepage? Read here the insight from industry leaders on the issue: https://hubs.la/Q02nHfvl0

Racial equity is more than just a strategic priority—it's an unchanging value that is essential for genuine community transformation. To achieve this at Focus Community Strategies, we follow three principles that help us center this lens of racial equity as we seek to encourage flourishing within every neighborhood for each person: 1️⃣Acknowledge historical and systemic injustices 2️⃣Affirm the value and experiences of marginalized communities 3️⃣Act by implementing inclusive policies and practices. Read more about this vital approach: https://lnkd.in/gPSqN_cB ********************** The Lupton Center is the Training & Consulting arm of FCS - Focused Community Strategies Community Strategies. Learn more about FCS at fcsministries.org #RacialEquity #CommunityDevelopment #StrategicPlan

Exciting News from the National Community Association (NCA) - We are thrilled to share that the NCA is making significant strides in community development and empowerment across the United States! Our Mission: Empower communities through education, resources, and advocacy, promoting sustainable development and inclusivity. We believe in the power of collaboration and collective action to drive positive change. Join Our Network: Connect with community leaders, businesses, and organizations. Share ideas, collaborate on projects, and be part of a movement that's reshaping community engagement. What's New: - Upcoming Workshops: Join our expert-led sessions on sustainable practices and community leadership. - Advocacy Efforts: We're amplifying community voices in policy-making for equitable and sustainable growth. - Collaborative Projects: Witness how our members are driving impactful community initiatives. We're Inviting You! Become part of a community that values innovation, unity, and resilience. Whether you're an individual passionate about local issues or an organization seeking broader impact, the NCA is your platform for change. Stay Connected: Follow us for the latest updates, success stories, and ways to get involved in community development. Together, let's build a future where every community thrives! #CommunityDevelopment #NCA #Empowerment #Sustainability #InclusiveGrowth #JoinUs #BeTheChange

On the fourth day of community awareness, the emphasis was on building partnerships and strengthening networks. The day’s activities focused on connecting community members with local organizations, NGOs, and government representatives who can provide ongoing support and resources. The sessions included presentations from various organizations about their programs and services, highlighting opportunities for collaboration and assistance. Interactive panels allowed participants to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate and access these resources. Additionally, there was a special focus on youth engagement and leadership. Workshops were organized to encourage young people to take an active role in their communities, providing them with tools and strategies to lead initiatives and advocate for change. The day underscored the importance of collective action and solidarity in addressing systemic issues and building a stronger, more inclusive community. As the day concluded, participants expressed a renewed sense of hope and determination. The connections made and knowledge gained set a strong foundation for continued efforts to create lasting positive change in the community. #CommunityEngagement #CollaborationForChange #EmpowermentThroughAction #InclusiveDevelopment #GrassrootsInitiatives #SupportForAll #EqualRights #CommunitySupport #BuildingBridges #ActionForChange #ttf

Four years ago, we started the Neighborhood Leadership Council (NLC) at Local Motion. It's intention was to create true and just relationships with community leaders who either have or work with folks that have transportation barriers. Throughout it's existence, this has consistently been a group across social identities: women, folks with disabilities, BIPOC folks, and people who are low income. We pay the NLC $25 / hour for up to 10 hours a month for their time, provide childcare and food at our meetings, and transportation to the meetings. The program started at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. We started out doing trainings on transportation equity and organizing and then moved to trying community events. I'm going to be honest, it's been a constant struggle - to create group cohesiveness, to get folks to show up, to keep the group going and motivated. I feel like I've failed them and the program. I've been asking myself these questions lately: ❓How can we get folks to have the self-determination to participate? ❓Is paying folks overshadowing that self-determination? ❓What are the other barriers to participating that we're not seeing? ❓How do we transition from hand-holding to self-ownership? ❓When your house is on fire, how could you possibly have the time and energy to come to a group meeting about advocating for something abstract that might not actually change for years to come? We know that advocating for yourself (and your family, friends, community) is a privilege. How do we, as organizers and community engagement folks, facilitate groups to have voices and ownership over the work? To learn and grow as we do?

📢 Exciting News! Our latest co-authored paper titled "Understanding the dynamics of Civil Society Organization responses in the cross-sector collaboration process with a government partner: A typology from a grounded theory approach" has been published! 🔍 In this study, we dive into the dynamic aspects of the collaboration between Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and government entities, focusing on South Korea's Seoul Community Development Initiatives program.