JEDI Update
SUHSD Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Update
Black Lives Matter Week of Action
2023 Week of Action
February 6 - 10
M - F
MONDAY
Write Night with Free Minds Book Club
- Writing workshop exploring the poetry of incarcerated youth, as part of our commitment to attend to systems and networks of care to make the domination, erasure, and dehumanization of Black life obsolete. - Registration Link
TUESDAY
Celebrating Globalism and Collective Value Panel
- Speakers from different countries will talk about the importance of valuing Black life and how it relates to us collectively, building authentic partnerships with all who support creating equitable school communities across the nation and around the globe. - Registration Link
WEDNESDAY
HBCU Fair Youth Support
- Learn a bit about the unapologetically Black history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and currently what they offer from students. - Registration Link
THURSDAY
Imagination Lab Listening Project
- A collective imagination exercise in which we open-heartedly dream up safe schools, communities, and futures. - Registration Link
- Optional Pre-Reading: A Grassroots-Driven Quality of Life Platform ( Full | 2 pager )
FRIDAY
Black Joy Party Connection Space
- A space to be your authentic self, celebrate, and be in community! To collectively love and care for one another as extended intergenerational families. - Registration Link
Please register separately for each event. We want to know who is in community with us, both for relationship-building and safety. You will receive the Zoom link for each offering 2-3 days before the event. Thank you for your understanding and patience. We are available at info@blacklivesmatteratschool.com with any questions.
Student Creative Challenge
How can a school community support you in being unapologetically Black?
Our unapologetically Black principles states, "We are unapologetically Black in our positioning. In affirming that Black Lives Matter, we need not qualify our position. to love and desire freedom and justice for ourselves is a necessary prerequisite for wanting the same for others."
We invite you to submit a creative response including but not limited to drawing, painting, collage, poetry, song/rap, or any other type of expression. Please submit your response by Sunday, February 12th, to bit.ly/BLMAS23Challenge or bit.ly/BLMAS23ChallengeGF.
By submitting your response, you are granting us permission to include your response in a video showcase on February 18th as part of Unapologetically Black Day. Please include any information you want us to share publicly, such as your name, grade, state, and title or description of the work.
To see the video showcase, check out our website or follow us on social media. If you have any questions, send us an email at info@blacklivesmatteratschool.com
Webinar Opportunity-Hate Speech
Please join us for our next 21CSLA Research-Practice Webinar on Wednesday, February 15 at 3:30 pm, "Hate speech on social media: What can leaders do?" featuring Dean Tina Christie and Dr. Arif Amlani from the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies, facilitated by UC Berkeley School of Education Professor Jabari Mahiri in conversation with leaders from the field: superintendents, principals, educators, digital and social media safety resource providers. Please register here.
Curriculum Resource Guide 2.0
We are re-launching! Use our NEW resource guide to help prepare for the Week of Action: bit.ly/blmatschoolguide
2023 T-Shirts!
Congratulation Niles!! Purchase a 2023 T-shirt featuring his design and artist statement for the Week of Action. Includes shipping!
Fact Sheet Clarifies How Civil Rights Laws Apply to School Diversity and Inclusion Activities
Today, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released a new fact sheet (Spanish version here) confirming for educators, parents, and students that diversity, equity, and inclusion training and similar activities generally are consistent with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Title VI, a law enforced by OCR, prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.
In response to confusion regarding the legality of diversity, equity, and inclusion activities in schools, this new fact sheet clarifies that federal civil rights laws do not categorically prohibit schools from offering activities such as instruction on the impact of racism, cultural competency training, or school climate surveys.
OCR will continue to vigorously enforce federal civil rights laws to ensure that all students have equal access to educational opportunities. Learn more at www.ed.gov/ocr.