Fwd: FW: RSJI E-news - August 2014
Sophie Glass
From: Bronstein, Elliott [mailto:Elliott....@seattle.gov]
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2014 4:33 PM
To: Bronstein, Elliott
Subject: RSJI E-news - August 2014
RSJI E-news August 2014
Community Forums to build a new Campaign for Racial Equity
Tell us what our priorities should be and how we can collaborate on lasting change.
Register
for any or all of these 3 sessions:
Saturday, September 6!
Racial Equity in Equitable Development and Criminal Justice
Location TBD
Morning and afternoon sessions:
·
10 am-1 pm: Equitable Development
(housing, jobs, transportation etc.)
· 2-5 pm: Criminal Justice
Saturday, October 11!
Racial Equity in Education
10 am-1 pm
Goodwill Training and Education Center, 1400 S. Dearborn St.
Click here to RSVP for all sessions.
Facilities are accessible. Please let us know if you will need interpretation, childcare or accommodations for disabilities. Questions? Contact Gabriella.S...@seattle.gov or 206-684-5845. This information is available in other formats on request.
Moving racial equity forward: new staff join RSJI team
We’re excited to introduce you to RSJI’s newest staff members Dustin Washington, Gabriella Sanchez-Stern and Senait Brown. In addition to helping to coordinate the City’s internal Race and Social Justice efforts, all three will use their strong community ties to strengthen the Initiative’s community partnerships.
Dustin
Washington is the new Interim Manager of the Race and Social Justice Initiative. He is the Director of the Community Justice program with the American Friends Service Committee and a Core-trainer with the Peoples Institute NW. Dustin coordinates the Tyree
Scott Freedom School project and Youth Undoing Institutional Racism, and also leads a juvenile justice transformation project. Dustin has co-facilitated Undoing Institutional Racism trainings nationally and internationally with school systems, students, incarcerated
men, social workers, health care workers, government, law enforcement, clergy and prosecutors. He is currently adjunct faculty at the University of Washington School of Public Health, and has received the Seattle Human Services Coalition Ron Chisolm Racial
Justice Award, The Fellowship of Reconciliations Martin Luther King Jr. award, The Church Council of Greater Seattle’s Samuel B McKinney Racial Justice award and numerous other recognitions.
“I believe meaningful racial justice can occur when we have developed authentic and accountable relationships between institutions and community,” said Dustin. “I'm excited to work together with community to strengthen the exciting work of the Race and Social Justice Initiative.”
Gabriella
Sanchez-Stern and Senait Brown recently joined the staff of RSJI as Community Coordinators. Prior to joining SOCR, Gabi worked as a community organizer for Washington CAN!, a dynamic, multi-issue organization dedicated to advancing racial, social and economic
justice. In this role she was responsible for social media and communications, as well as for organizing community members around health equity and access in South King County. Previously, she worked as a field organizer for a U.S. Senate Campaign in the state
of New Mexico. Gabi grew up in Seattle and attended Brandeis University in Massachusetts before moving back to Seattle in 2013.
“I’m excited about the chance to bring my community organizing skills to working in City government,” said Gabi. “I want to find ways to align the work that’s already happening in the community with Seattle City departments’ internal efforts to end institutional racism.”
Senait has been a community activist and leader for over a decade and comes to us with a strong background in political organizing, campaign management and community development. Her areas of interests include criminal justice, economic development and statewide legislative advocacy. Senait currently serves as the co-founder of Blackout (a statewide advocacy group for people of African descent), Political Action Chair for the Seattle/King County NAACP, and a trainer for the People’s Institute NW. A native of Chicago, Senait holds two degrees in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign with a concentration on community development for social justice.
“City departments have a unique opportunity to achieve racial equity in our own work, as well as to connect with the movement that’s growing in the community,” said Senait. “At the core of my work is the belief that we have to center the experiences of the people most impacted by institutions to address the issues faced by our most underserved and underrepresented people.”
Upcoming Events
Community Forum: Artistic Freedom & Artistic Responsibility
Monday, August 18, 6:30 pm
Seattle Repertory Theatre,
What role does art play in our society? Can art be a catalyst for dialogue and change? As the demographics of our country become more diverse, how do artists and arts groups approach new and historical work in a way that is meaningful, relevant and equitable for our audiences?
In response to the spirited conversation happening in Seattle and the wider arts community about art, race and cultural representation, Seattle Repertory Theatre and the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture have created a forum on Artistic Freedom & Artistic Responsibility, with the support of the Seattle Office for Civil Rights and 4Culture. The August 18 event will be a collaborative conversation – a chance for the audience is asked to raise questions, provide examples and offer strategies. The event will take place in the PONCHO Forum at the Seattle Repertory Theatre on Monday, August 18 at 6:30 pm.
RSVP through eventbright.com, and add the questions you would like to see addressed.
2014 Tyree Scott Freedom School Presentation
Friday, August 8 from 11:00-12:30
Bertha Knight Landes Room, Seattle City Hall
A short series of presentations and a panel discussion with the students of the 2014 Tyree Scott Freedom School. This is a yearly RSJI event and all are welcome. Feel free to bring your lunch.
- Education in Seattle from the perspective of our youth
- Economic equity in Seattle and what it means for young people
- Transforming juvenile justice in Seattle and the region
Panel discussion with:
- Councilmember Nick Licata
- City Attorney Pete Holmes and Assistant Attorney Craig Sims
- Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim
- Office of Civil Rights Director Patricia Lally
More on Freedom Schools
In the summer of 1964, over 30 freedom schools were created in Mississippi to draw attention to racial inequities in the public education system. In Seattle in 1966, for two days, thousands of K-12 students poured out of Seattle’s public schools and attended “freedom schools” across the city to protest racial segregation in the Seattle school system.
The Tyree Scott Freedom School in Seattle carries on the tradition of those earlier freedom schools, teaching approximately 40 students about the history of racism, the struggles and achievements of people of color, and the rich history of local community organizing for racial justice. The Tyree Scott Freedom School and Youth Undoing Institutional Racism are sponsored by American Friends Service Committee’s Seattle Community Justice Program. Tyree Scott (1940–2003) was a Seattle electrician, labor leader, and activist.
For more information about the August 8 Freedom School presentation, call 206-684-8803 or email lisa.h...@seattle.gov, aide to Councilmember Nick Licata.
Listening Session with the American Indian/Alaska Native Communities
Help shape the City of Seattle’s Campaign for Racial Equity
Tuesday, August 12, 6-8 pm
Pearl Warren Building, 606 S. Weller St.
· What do you see as the main racial equity issues holding our City back?
· What are ways you think we can address these issues?
· How can the City partner with community to make lasting and meaningful change?
Hosted by the Seattle Indian Health Board and the Race and Social Justice Initiative.
Light refreshments will be served.
Elliott Bronstein
Public Information Officer
Seattle Office for Civil Rights
Seattle Office for Civil Rights
810 Third Avenue, Suite 750
Seattle, WA 98104-1627
