Utah Jazz’s Post

This morning I spent a little time with CTV News talking about how individuals can move the needle this Black History Month. As you know, at QuakeLab we focus predominantly on systems change work, and that can often feel daunting for any one individual. So here are the tips I shared: 🍉 🍕 Although microaggressions and interpersonal acts of discrimination are awful and important to address, a lot of the most urgent challenges facing Black people and racialized people in general, are systemic breakdowns and barriers. In Ottawa alone, Black people, Indigenous peoples and Middle Eastern people make up less than 15% of the population but represent of 50% of the visits at the Ottawa Food Bank. 🚓 For yet another year, Ottawa Police Services released a report showing Black people and Middle Eastern people were disproportionately subjected to use of force by police. 🎒 Although Ottawa school boards don't collect disagregated data, reports from Toronto and the rest of North America show us that Black kids face disproportionate rates of disciple and negative outcomes at school. So as an individual, your listening and learning and personal DEI journey is fine, but it's not going to necessarily move us towards this systemic outcomes so badly needed. Here's what you *should* be doing: 1. Identify your sphere of influence: We all have one, through being a resident of your city and community, having children in a school board, purchasing food from your grocery store. Identify your spheres of influence 2. Become ungovernable: Within those spheres of influence, push for changes constantly and vigrously. Call your Counicilor, Mayor, MPP, MP and ask them how they addressing the food insecurity in this country that is compounded for marginalized people and tell them your vote is dependent on their actions. Call your School Board Trustee and attend meetings, ask them to collect better data and respond to patterns of inequity they find. As your local grocery store to procure products from local, Black owned business. Use your sphere of influence and become a nuisance.

1.3%. That is the percentage of Black men serving as classroom teachers. As a country, we need more teachers positively impacting our children and this includes Black males. It is imperative that young people dream about their future. Children need to dream about being an athlete, fire fighter, nurse, doctor, lawyer, electrician, plumber, computer scientist, police officer, business leader, teacher, pastor, CEO, and many other rewarding occupations. And we get more people dreaming about becoming a teacher when we model the joy of education. Experiencing effective, joy-filled, loving, smart, and funny teachers will always be the best recruitment for education. As more Black men witness their schooling as life-changing and fun, we will gain more Black male educators (yes, increased pay helps too).

We're back for our third design cycle of the program and cannot wait to see what Black Parents are dreaming up! What is the Lab? The Black Parent Innovation Lab is an opportunity for Black parents to experiment, iterate and hone new strategies to help their communities thrive. Over the course of 6 months through in-person and virtual learning spaces, 10 Innovation Fellows will design, test, and iterate on their ideas using a Black Liberatory Design Framework. Fellows are each granted up to $5000 to implement community-based projects. Who is eligible to apply? Eligible applicants are Black parents who are committed to Black liberation based in California. What are you looking for in an applicant? We are looking for folks who are dedicated to solving an issue in their community that they are closely connected to. We want folks to come to the lab filled with curiosity and questions; we aren't interested in perfectly crafted answers. We are inviting folks who have an openness to shift, to learn, to experiment, to grow, and evolve their ideas. No experience? Perfect! We'd love to work with you! ✨At this time, only California residents are eligible to apply. ✨ Deadline to apply is July 19th. https://lnkd.in/gP95R3az

Dive into Black History Month: Celebrate, Learn, and Connect in Your Community!   This February, let's not just celebrate Black history, but embrace it! And what better way than by stepping out and engaging with your local Black community?   Recently, I had the amazing experience attending the Taste of Soul and Black Business Expo in Murrieta, California. The food was incredible, the music vibrant, and the energy infectious! But most importantly, it was an opportunity to connect with talented entrepreneurs, learn about their stories, and support their businesses.   Here's the thing: events like these happen all over the country throughout Black History Month (and beyond!). Whether it's a cultural festival, a historical exhibition, a book club discussion, or a film screening, there are countless ways to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Black culture and history.   So, this month, I challenge you: Seek out events in your community. Do a quick Google search, check local listings, or ask friends for recommendations. Step outside your comfort zone. Attend an event you've never been to before, strike up conversations with people you don't know, and be open to learning something new. Support Black businesses. Purchase their products, use their services, and spread the word about their ventures.   Share your experiences! In the comments below, tell me about the events you attend, the connections you make, and the lessons you learn. Let's make this a month of shared celebration, education, and community building.   #BlackHistoryMonth #SupportBlackBusinesses #CommunityEngagement #CelebrateDiversity

Interesting fact for Black History month. Did you know there was a Negro Motorist Green Book? A directory created by Victor H. Green, postal carrier that contained listings of safe for Black people to go whilst traveling. Listings included hotels, motels, tourist homes (the homes of private individuals who were willing to offer a room for the night), restaurants, beauty and barber shops, service stations, garages, road houses, taverns, and nightclubs. Originally limited to listings in New York City, the demand for the guide increased so much that by the following year, it became national in both scope and distribution. We are blessed for the world we live in 88 years later. Which brings us back to the ATBB platform, which houses an online directory of Black and Afro business owners across the globe. We are providing collaboration opportunities, access to professional development, educational resources and networks that will help Black and African business owners thrive and expand their ventures. As Victor Green provided a lifeline for those navigating racial injustice then, we continue to foster a platform that promotes black excellence and entrepreneurial growth, serving as a beacon towards financial empowerment and economic equity. (Image Source: thehenryford.org) #blackhistorymonth #blackbusinessowners #blackownedbusinesses #blackownedbrands #blackbusinessmatters #blackbusinesssupport #blackbusinessnetwork

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to talk about the vital role adults play in empowering Black children to freely interact with their world with Executive Director Arthur G. Affleck, III from the Association of Children's Museums.   During our conversation, we emphasized how critical it is for adults to create and nurture environments where Black children can thrive. This is about more than individual actions—though those are crucial—but also about advocating for broader public policy and systemic changes that center Black children as valuable assets worthy of our time, attention and investments, rather than through a deficit-based lens. By viewing Black children as assets, we shift the narrative to one of empowerment and potential, recognizing their inherent strengths and capabilities.   As we continue these conversations and push for necessary changes, let's remember the power we have to shape a better future for our children. It's time to turn our words into action and build a world where Black children are recognized and nurtured as the valuable assets they are, capable of freely and fully engaging with their world.   Take a listen to the ACM podcast here: https://bit.ly/3R6atdy 

It's truly inspiring to work for a Black woman who embodies such a profound heart for Black children. The conversation highlights a crucial point: we, as adults, have the power and responsibility to create environments where Black children can thrive. It's not just about individual actions, but about advocating for systemic changes that recognize Black children as valuable assets, full of potential and worthy of investment. Working with a leader who understands and champions this perspective is incredibly motivating. It reminds me daily of the impact we can have when we shift from a deficit-based view to one of empowerment and possibility. This approach - seeing Black children as assets rather than through a lens of lack - is transformative. It's about nurturing their inherent strengths, recognizing their capabilities, and creating spaces where they can freely interact with and shape their world. I'm grateful to be part of an organization that's actively working to turn these powerful words into concrete actions. Together, we're striving to build a future where Black children are truly seen, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. 💪🏽

Will you be attending AACC's Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky next month? Join my session, with Karen Stout titled “Realizing Black Learner Excellence at Community Colleges" at 9 a.m. on April 7. Black learners have been underserved and, as a result, have left America's postsecondary system. Community colleges, a critical entry point for first-generation, low-income, and Black students, have experienced the most significant loss. The new Level Up Report and get REAL framework will be discussed to engage participants in a renewed commitment to Black learner success. This call to action is an important step in establishing institutional, system, and policy change to support reforms to improve the outcomes for Black students pursuing postsecondary programs and degrees. American Association of Community Colleges

Are you ready to be part of a meaningful series of conversations that reshape our understanding of Black life in Pittsburgh? This is your chance to engage deeply and contribute to a vital community dialogue. Join us in "The Community Living Room" where a series of conversations dedicated to the rigorous exchange of Black knowledge traditions and Black life in Pittsburgh will unfold. Our goal is to share and transform our collective thinking about our lived experiences, cultural practices, education and traditions through a freedom-centered format of conversation. We will embrace our roles as learners and teachers within our community with the goal of anchoring our progress within the embrace of community. Relational Responsibilities: In our interconnected community, we are committed to: Active Listening: Truly hear and understand each other. Honest Challenging: Engage with ideas critically and respectfully. Dedicated Learning: Foster a productive learning environment where ideas are rigorously examined without personal disparagement. Expectations: We will practice: Listening and Hearing Deep Studying and Meaningful Contribution Engaging Generously: Explore possibilities, seek connections, deepen understanding, and embrace complexity over mere critique. Framework for Shared Inquiry: Stretch: Push questions beyond immediate concerns to explore broader implications. Resonance: Foster non-hierarchical collective action through questions that elicit deep, attentive responses. Resilience: Ensure questions remain flexible and connected to their purpose, adapting to changing circumstances and new discoveries. This event requires registration and confirmation by way of a follow-up email. Space is limited. Register here or through the link in our bio today. https://ow.ly/7hll50Sk0J5

Reports from the Lumina Foundation and National Student Clearinghouse reveal challenges faced by Black students in higher education, with only 34% having an associate degree or higher and a 50.2% six-year graduation rate. Many juggle full-time jobs, caregiving responsibilities, and encounter discrimination. Initiatives such as Virginia Tech's Black Male Achievement Network and Watermark's success coaching demonstrate promising efforts to address these disparities. Data-driven support, including flexible class options, counseling, and mentorship, is crucial for enhancing the postsecondary success of Black students. https://ow.ly/eWsx50QAbSN