On January 8th and 9th, 2021, more than 30 collaborators came together to do the work of creating a unified understanding and language that we can build upon to create the change we want to see in the world.
Led by Rodney Thomas of Chicago joined the Black Leaders Collective by Zoom to guide us through a restorative healing session called: Liberated Leadership.
The session was held in two parts on Friday, Jan 8 and Saturday, Jan 9.
Sign Up to Take the Black Community Nonprofit Survey
How do you change the culture of philanthropy for Black nonprofits? You ask the people who are doing the work what they need, want, and wish for is the simplest answer.
The Black Leaders Collective, in collaboration with MEASURE, has prepared a survey of Black-led and Black focused nonprofits in Central Texas. We want to know what are your biggest challenges to fulfilling your mission. It is our hope to gain insights on how to develop our Black community nonprofits so that they can continue to create positive change in our community.
The Black Leaders Collective will compile the results and make a public announcement in February. If you know of or run a nonprofit in Central Texas, please sign up here to receive the survey.
We are excited to build and deepen relationships between collaborators through the practice of Constructivist Listening. The BLC is asking each collaborator to engage in what we are calling “Collaborator Chats” which are built on the framework of Constructivist Listening.
During the January Liberated Leadership training, we learned that this type of listening calls for being present, listening deeply, not talking, and giving space to another human being.
The Guiding Principle of Constructivist Listening is: I agree to listen and think about you, and in exchange, you do the same for me.
Over the next 12 months, we are asking each of our collaborators to reach out to others in their respective BLC Issue Groups plus an additional 20 collaborators to hold a 10-minute Collaborator Chat.
Here is the framework:
Each person has equal time, about 4 minutes each
Listen without interruption while listening. You can nod or verbalize affirmation, but do not interrupt
Maintain confidentiality, these conversations are sacred
Does not criticize or complain
The Collaborator Chats should take no more than 10 minutes with each person. Here are the questions we ask you to cover:
Stay safe during the transition of power! As our country prepares for the federal transition of power, there are substantiated reports of armed insurrectionists' demonstrations planned in state capitols across the country. In this light, the Black Leaders Collective urges our collaborators to stay safe. See our updated January Inauguration Safety Guidelines for tips to stay safe.
What Role Do You Play as a Leader? During our healing & training session this month, the BLC was provided an amazing resource that we hope will be a guide of the work that we will do and set the stage for how we lead for seven generations. Please click the link below and find ways to incorporate this in your leadership philosophy!
During this next training & healing session, leaders will apply everyday tools and learn to pose questions to disrupt white supremacy culture in ourselves individually, in our organizations and communities. Participants will look at the ways leaders can break habits of hierarchy, elitism and exclusionary practices and replace them with reflection, curiosity, humility and inclusive practices.
“Breaking the shackles of white supremacy culture internally and externally”
The Future of I-35:
We Need Our BLC Collaborators to Engage
If you don’t know, TxDOT is moving forward with their $4.9 billion Interstate 35 Capital Express Central Project stretching eight miles from U.S. Highway 290 East to SH 71/Ben White Boulevard. The plan calls for lowering the highway and creating “new land” that would eventually support green space, commercial and retail spaces and housing.
Wait, did I read that right? Yes.
We are talking about a new section of land appearing out of thin air.
Why is this important? This is important because when it comes to issues like affordable housing, cultural districts, green space, and literally stitching up the racial divide that I-35 was meant to be -- this is an avenue for the Black community to receive atonement.
We must have our voices heard in this fight. We must secure the benefits that others will believe they are entitled to simply for having the generational knowledge and wealth that was bequeathed to them off the labor of our people. See below for the letter the BLC sub-issue group sent to TxDOT in regards to this initiative. If you’re fired up -- join the Transportation Issue Group in the work.
Unfortunately, but not surprising, the distribution of the first wave of vaccines was horribly inequitable and inherently racist.
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Inequity
The BLC is in active conversations with Central Texas leaders to ensure that the Central Texas Black community, especially 1A/1B populations and essential workers, are able to receive the vaccine in the early stages of the roll out.
Simply put, one of our elders who wants this vaccine or first responders who want the vaccine should not be overlooked so that people who are not at risk and have personal resources (e.g. people living in West Austin) have a vaccine red carpet rolled out for them. To better understand the true disparity, check out the map and link below to see just how disproportionate the distribution of the vaccine is right now.
Join the BLC Health Issue Group to help us ensure that we find local solutions to address COVID-19 and other important health issues facing the Black community in Central Texas.
Announcements & Events
January 18-19 | Austin Health Commons, ACC, and the YMCA
We ask that you join us on January 18 – 19, 2021 in one of the three Racial Healing Circles.
Please continue to share and invite others to participate in our MLK Day Racial Healing Circles in commemoration of Dr. King’s legacy and the National Day of Racial Healing.
Austin Health Commons, ACC, and the YMCA presents Martin Luther King, Jr. Truth and Racial Healing Circles
January 18, 2021 | Austin Area Urban League Day of Service and Community Trivia at Givens District Park
Join the Austin Area Urban League for our 2021 Martin Luther King Community Day of Service! This Monday we will be at Givens District Park (3811 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78721) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Come out to serve our community and check out regional resources, prizes, and more!
Here, you’ll find our volunteer registration link and outreach materials for your networks. If you aren't able to attend, we understand, you can support the Austin Area Urban League by reposting outreach materials to your LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts (if applicable). You can use the messaging provided below or edit as you see fit for your platforms.
January 27-28, 2021 | The Conference on Food Resilience, Equity and Access (CFRAE)
CFRAE provides a forum to facilitate much-needed dialogue and cooperation between local private and public organizations to share experience, know-how, and best practices that address food insecurity for people most at risk during emergencies and disasters in local communities.
African American Leadership Institute
The African American Leadership Institute (AALI) is designed to enhance civic awareness and leadership opportunities to make an innovative community impact on Central Texas.
The African American Leadership Institute (AALI) is now accepting applications for the 2021 inaugural Fellowship Cohort. If you are a servant leader with a strong passion for uplifting and improving the Black quality of life here in Central Texas — we encourage you to apply to join us on our grand mission.
THE DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, JANUARY 29TH AT 11:59 PM.
January 30, 2021, 1pm - 3pm | National Council of Negro Women (Greater Austin Section) Virtual Vision Board Extravaganza
Additionally, please join the NCNW Greater Austin members for our weekly Prayer Line (717-275-8940; AC 737 2729) each Friday of the month at 8am and another at 8pm.
February 18-19, 2021 | Black Leaders Collective “Breaking the shackles of white supremacy culture internally and externally”
with Stephanie Hawley, PhD
Leaders will apply everyday tools and learn to pose questions to disrupt White Supremacy culture in ourselves individually, in our organizations, and communities. Participants will look at the ways leaders can break habits of hierarchy, elitism, and exclusionary practices and replace them with reflection, curiosity, humility and inclusive practices.
Each year, Austin nonprofit startup accelerator DivInc and its partners celebrate Austin leaders who helped advance conversations and actions throughout the community to make the city a more inclusive place. Please help us in celebrating our Black Leaders Collaborators who have been nominated!
Courtney Bailey, director of issues and engagement at Leadership Austin
Ryan Coaxum, VP at Guaranty Bank & Trust
Chas Moore, executive director of Austin Justice Coalition
Courtney Robinson, founder at Break the Pipeline
Meme Styles, founder at Measure
Michael Ward Jr., CEO of Austin Urban Technology Movement
Nakeenya Wilson, executive director of Black Mamas ATX
Chaka and Qi Dada, founder of DAWA and Riders Against the Storm
Also, a shout-out goes to Farah Muscadin, Director of the Office of Police Oversight for the City of Austin who has also been nominated.
ACC Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Week
Austin Community College will sponsor its first-ever Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Week, Social Justice, and Collaborative Change the Time is Now. The program events consist of 12 free virtual learning opportunities from January 18-22. ACC will provide dialogues, resources, and engagement around a variety of equity and justice issues for and led by our students, faculty/staff, and community members.
WKKellogg Family Foundation's virtual event for the 4th annual National Day of Racial Healing in on Jan 19th. The day will be centered around experiences rooted in truth-telling that lead to racial healing for a more just and equitable future. It’s a day for authentic dialogues, so we continue to learn to see and hear each other, and it's a day to share our stories and recognize our shared humanity, so we can come together and transform the world around us.
This event is so relevant and important in the current world we live in. This year's program features John Legend, Hasan Minhaj, Ta'Nehisi Coates, Yara Shahidi, Storm Reid, Aloe Blacc, and more. You can read more about it and RSVP below.
The draft 2021 Mobility Annual Plan and online interactive map, outlining projects to be taken up with funding from the 2016 Mobility Bond in 2021, is available for review, comment, and feedback thru Feb. 7th. Projects outlined in the plan include sidewalks, safe routes to school, bikeways, urban trails, and Intersection Safety/Vision Zero improvements.
A coalition of 17 Central Texas organizations hosts this six-part virtual series examining different issues surrounding racial inequity in Austin. The series – which runs every Thursday, 5:30-6:30 p.m., between Jan. 14 and Feb. 18 – aims to offer practical steps we can all take in our communities toward racial equity and opportunity. See website for schedule and guest lineup. Jan. 14-Feb. 18. Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m Online.
BLC formed in July 2020 against the backdrop of the killings of George Floyd and Mike Ramos, and widening racial disparities in wealth, health, education, and justice in Austin and surrounding cities.
www.BlackLeadersCollectiveATX.com
