Summer Reading
Happy Summer! We hope you add Riley's Way to your summer reading by following us on social media and taking a few minutes to read about what we have been working on below. Hear from some Riley's Way Call for Kindness winners and get teen recommendations for summer reading and viewing.
This summer at Riley's Way we have been busy learning, evaluating, creating, and planning for the Fall. We have hired new staff and are developing new programs, curricula, and systems to build a youth voice into how we operate as an organization. A few of the projects that we are excited to share with you are our new Alumni Network and Youth Advisory Council. Stay tuned in the coming months to learn more!
|
|
|
Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to stay in the know throughout the summer with our ongoing social media campaigns on COVID-19, Anti-Racism, and Get-Out-the-Vote, which all center on practicing kindness and empathy. And, follow our new Riley's Way Foundation page on LinkedIn!
|
|
|
Project Spotlight: RPRSNTD
|
|
|
|
|
"...We envision a future where representation in literature builds communities and brings our world closer to justice. When we see ourselves and seek to understand each other, we build compassion by affirming our experiences." Nicole and Amber, co-founders RPRSNTD, 2019 Call for Kindness Fellows, Council co-chairs.
|
|
|
Nicole and Amber created RPRSNTD. because, as young women of color, they did not see themselves represented in the books they were reading in school. As their 2019 Call for Kindness project, they developed RPRSNTD. into a digital platform to create virtual book clubs (coming soon!) centering on the work of authors of color with high schools and other communities across the country. Nicole and Amber envision a world where representation is a reality, and hope to create empowered and connected communities by centering on stories of the marginalized. They invite the Riley's Way Community to check out their website at rprsntd.com and Instagram @rprsntd. They are curating a reading list along with other resources for educators, book access, and more, so sign up for email updates to stay in the loop. Read below for Nicole and Amber's summer reading recommendations!
|
|
|
Summer reading: The Venus Effect by Violet Allen
“Allen’s short story has completely revolutionized my idea of science fiction. Not only does Allen address our country’s long and strenuous history of racial unrest, she also asks us, the readers, the most demanding and uncomfortable questions, forcing us to apply them to our very pressing reality and what that means for our future.” - Nicole
|
|
Summer reading: The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
Viewing: I Am Not Your Negro
“This book changed my life. I was blown away by Baldwin’s grace and brilliance in his perspective on race in America centering on love and lovelessness within the American psyche. Every time I read this book, I am reminded of the urgency of standing up to white supremacy and looking inward at ourselves.” - Amber
|
|
Riley's Way is not only growing our programs, but we are growing our staff. Joining the Riley’s Way team is Cheyenne Rosado as our new program manager. Cheyenne will be mentoring the Call for Kindness projects and building out our virtual leadership development program. Join us in welcoming Cheyenne and learn why she is perfect for Riley’s Way! |
|
|
|
Kicking-off the Call for Kindness
|
|
|
|
The 2020 Call for Kindness Fellows have been hard at work, adjusting their projects to work virtually, meeting the needs of their community during COVID, and networking with each other. Learn more about their exciting and inspirational work through their personal blogs on our website.
|
|
|
|
Hear from 2020 Call for Kindness winner, Matthew, about why he created iRemember, a program dedicated to giving everyone the opportunity to tell their personal stories about events in history.
|
|
|
|
Ian Sandler, Riley's Way co-founder and proud father of Riley Hannah Sandler, talks to LinkedIn's You Got This about why"kindness and empathy are critical leadership skills, and are clearly now more important than ever." Ian's advice to young people, "If you want to do something, don’t wait until you have every detail worked out. A big part of what we’ve done is show teens how to put their ideas into action."
|
|
|
Hear from Jayla, 2020 Call for Kindness winner, and her organization, FHL Closets, that provides food pantry items, school uniforms, and clothing to students in need: “...if children are self-conscious about not having these necessities, it’s harder for them to concentrate on their studies. We hope that by providing these items, it makes school a better environment for them,” Jayla says.
|
|
We look forward to connecting with you in the Fall.
In Kindness,
The Riley’s Way Team
|
|
|
|
|
