Akoben: What Happened to Teaira Whitehead?

[Joy Kmt]

It is with heaviness in my heart that I write this e-mail. It is, in fact, an extremely difficult e-mail to put into words; both for the sadness and the enormity of the circumstances surrounding her death.

As many of you know, Teaira Brenda Whitehead, a 16 year old black girl from the Northside and Homewood, was found dumped at Riverview Park on October 6th, 2014 by joggers that were passing by. The DA has declared the death suspicious but not a homicide, even though her body was found naked and mutilated by chemical burns from bleach.

As many of you all know, Teaira's death and the subsequent media coverage (largely absent and derogatory) is a reflection of the way black girls and black women are treated in society by the "justice system" and by the media. Several of us came together on Sunday to discuss strategies and actions to bring visibility to Teaira's case and the injustice faced by black girls and women in general and in Pittsburgh.

The first action begins tomorrow evening at 6. If you want to know more, please e-mail me so that we can talk in more detail and coordinate our efforts. 

In Solidarity and for True Justice,

Joy KMT 

*Pamoja Tutashinda* 

[LaTasha D. Mayes]

Hello Sisters,

I just found out about Tearia yesterday. I am deeply saddened, enraged and ready to act. I offer any resources New Voices Pittsburgh can make available to support our collective organizing. Joy, please communicate with Bezekela, Carmen and I about the plans for tomorrow evening. 

Black women's lives matter. Black girls' lives matter.

Peace and Blessings,

La'Tasha

On Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 12:07 PM, La'Tasha D. Mayes <latash...@gmail.com> wrote:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: LaKeisha Wolf <lakeis...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 11:50 AM
Subject: Re: Akoben: What Happened to Teaira Whitehead?
To: Free Blackwell <fr...@homewoodrenaissance.org>
Cc: Aveasa <ave...@aol.com>, Ruth Martial <root...@gmail.com>, IAsia Eybers <eyber...@gmail.com>, Joy Kmt <yeji...@gmail.com>, Alisha Wormsley <alishab...@gmail.com>, Amanda Johnson <amandade...@yahoo.com>, Amber Kelsie <ake...@gmail.com>, April Williams <Awil...@gmail.com>, Ashley Brickman <abrickw...@gmail.com>, Aya de Chellis <aya....@gmail.com>, Azania Lane <azania...@gmail.com>, Bekezela Mguni <bekezel...@gmail.com>, Ben Fiorillo <bfio...@gmail.com>, Carl Redwood Jr <carlre...@gmail.com>, Celeste Smith <haute...@gmail.com>, Celeste Taylor <taylor....@gmail.com>, Christiane D <christia...@gmail.com>, Christiane Leach <cle...@pittsburghartscouncil.org>, Courtney Becker <becker....@gmail.com>, dana bishop-root <root...@gmail.com>, "da...@transformazium.org" <da...@transformazium.org>, Danielle Iorio <daniel...@gmail.com>, darrell kinsel <dski...@gmail.com>, Erin Perry <perry...@gmail.com>, etta cetera <mostpeo...@gmail.com>, from me <aya...@gmail.com>, g b t <positivep...@gmail.com>, Heather Manning <hmann...@gmail.com>, heyy quinn <heyy...@gmail.com>, Jasmine Hearn <jlynn...@gmail.com>, jean marie <jeanma...@gmail.com>, kelly e parker <aba...@gmail.com>, "La'Tasha D. Mayes" <latash...@gmail.com>, lauren Jurysta <xrayspe...@gmail.com>, Leora Flax <lf...@glsenpgh.org>, Leslie Stem <els...@yahoo.com>, lizzie anderson <em.and....@gmail.com>, Michael David Battle <michaelda...@gardenofpeaceproject.org>, Mikhail Pappas <mik.p...@gmail.com>, mutulu725 <mutu...@aol.com>, Ngani Ndimbie <ngani....@gmail.com>, Paula Jean Tonsor <pjto...@gmail.com>, Shakeema Smalls <Shakeem...@gmail.com>, Suzanne Leona South <suzann...@gmail.com>, T Singletary <vonsin...@yahoo.com>, Tami Dixon <Ta...@webbricolage.org>, The Feminist Wire <professor.m...@gmail.com>, thricegreat aka <manplus...@gmail.com>, Tiffany Wilhelm <twil...@pittsburghartscouncil.org>, Tina Vasquez <tina_va...@hotmail.com>, ursa later <i.said....@gmail.com>, YC Harvey <ycha...@gmail.com>, Julia Johnson <champc...@gmail.com>, "pgh4t...@googlegroups.com" <pgh4t...@googlegroups.com>

Okay. I plan to get there around 5ish. Peace-K

On Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 11:42 AM, Free Blackwell <fr...@homewoodrenaissance.org> wrote:

Greetings,

I plan to go this evening as well......

Free

On Tuesday, October 14, 2014, Aveasa <ave...@aol.com> wrote:

i plan on going this evening also. 

vg

On Oct 14, 2014, at 11:28 AM, LaKeisha Wolf <lakeis...@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm honest in saying that I've def been traumatized over the past few weeks by these horrendous incidents with our young people. It makes me hold my baby girl closer.

There's a wake/viewing for Teaira today at Spiggs Watson on N. Lang from 4-8 pm. I'm considering going before I pick up my daughter from daycare. Already feeling sick in my stomach...

I'm not available tomorrow at 6 but would like to be included in future updates about collective responses.

Peace

LaKeisha

On Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 10:52 AM, Ruth Martial <root...@gmail.com> wrote:

I want to know what happened to Teaira Whitehead.  I want to honor her life, and be useful in whatever way possible.

On Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 9:13 AM, Aveasa <ave...@aol.com> wrote:

and there is something about just insisting at the questions:

what happened to Tearia Whitehead?

and,

if joggers found my naked chemical burned body in a city park, who would come for me?

On Oct 14, 2014, at 8:23 AM, IAsia Eybers <eyber...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sisters

I have been thinking about her and us as a group of women and girls over the past several months

Very difficult to express in words the way  I'm feeling about this as a mother of a seventeen year old

The group Black and Missing talks about the under representation of our children and people when incidents occur

There are assumptions that she or he or we ran away as if we have no value for life

Shame....

Our world is dangerous and the thinking, intervention, and prevention must be sculpted with the power and magic that we all possess collectively

Oh Teira....

Blessings to all of you with the invocation of the warrior Gods and Goddesses protecting us  

On Monday, October 13, 2014, Aveasa <ave...@aol.com> wrote:

if there will be a weeks worth of action. i can design a t-shirt and have it out by. thursday or friday. i could make signs and have them back by friday. if joggers found my dead body naked and chemical burned in a city park, who would come for me? 

On Oct 13, 2014, at 9:42 PM, Free Blackwell <fr...@homewoodrenaissance.org> wrote:

Peace,

Thank you for your compassion, heart, and leadership, where will the meeting be held

--
Sent from Gmail Mobile

--
IAsia Thomas
Project Manager
The Culturally Responsive Arts Education Program
Pittsburgh Public Schools
eyber...@gmail.com
412-689-2812

--
LaKeisha Wolf

~Ujamaa Collective
Executive Director
Business Affairs & Cooperative Development
1901 Centre Avenue, Suite 100
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-228-5160
www.ujamaacollective.org

~EnjoyourSelf
Authentic Gemstone Jewelry and E-Ma's Natural Products
"Energize, Elevate & Educe You"
www.enjoy-ema.com
412-512-2680

--
Sent from Gmail Mobile

--
LaKeisha Wolf

~Ujamaa Collective
Executive Director
Business Affairs & Cooperative Development
1901 Centre Avenue, Suite 100
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-228-5160
www.ujamaacollective.org

~EnjoyourSelf
Authentic Gemstone Jewelry and E-Ma's Natural Products
"Energize, Elevate & Educe You"
www.enjoy-ema.com
412-512-2680

--
Check out my official blog....duxfemfac.wordpress.com!

--

La'Tasha D. Mayes, MSPPM
Founder / Executive Director

New Voices Pittsburgh
Leadership. Human Rights. Reproductive Justice.
lat...@newvoicespittsburgh.org | 412.450.0290 (o)
The Beatty Building | 5907 Penn Avenue, Suite 340 | Pittsburgh, PA 15206
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[Katie Kaplan]

hey Joy, 

Nori and i would like to show support at the action. Where is it being held, what are the details?

<3 katie

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[Suzanne Leona South]

my heart is shaking. i stand with you, and her and her family... and all of the others. Murdered.. and slain again in the lies and poison of story. Betrayal. 

my love and strength is here. my family will join services and action tonight. thank you for opening this list for us to find and unify w each other. 

together,

s. south

On Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 4:20 PM, Christiane D <christia...@gmail.com> wrote:

it is very, very heavy...i've read this email over and over, unable to think clearly or see what i've written because the pain, tears well up...Joy thank you 

-I won't be able to meet, but I am thinking of a piece, pieces I'd like to make, pieces perhaps we could all make.  Inspired by Joy's poem, inspired by Vanessa's question, who would come for me?

PGH is a city full of parks. I'm going to find large pieces of cardboard, draw the outline of a nude body, paint it black, write words, such as, "i decided to lay her naked in the park and die", take these bodies, and at midnight ziptie these bodies to trees along the trails.

This is what I can offer. This is what I want to do. This is how I grieve. 

Christiane

On Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 1:05 PM, Tami Dixon <ta...@webbricolage.org> wrote:

I want to know more. How I can help and heal and be a voice for change. Please keep me in the loop on any actions you're taking. I'm unavailable tonight, but I will contribute all that I can.

Peace

--

The World Premiere of the Pittsburgh Complaints Choir

We asked our fair citizens and denizens, Are we most livable? And they answered. Learn more about the Complaints n'At Choir and the Pittsburgh Complaints Song at our website.

All Things Christiane D

[lizzie anderson]

Joy,

thank you deeply for this.
this information and this emotion and this wisdom and this outrage.
i am feeling a well of sadness.
please keep me in the loop of people who want and need to act.

take good care,
lizzie

On Mon, Oct 13, 2014 at 9:16 PM, Joy Kmt <yeji...@gmail.com> wrote:

--

[Joy Kmt]

Anybody that wants posters for flyering (on any day this week before Sunday) , let me know in a reply just to me (so as not to clog up this email with replies for that.) . I am going to send out a seperate e-mail ccing everybody that's down for that about logistics and what not.

If you are down to screenprint on Sunday around 5, please email Dana at root...@gmail.com 

NVP has graciously offered their space for meeting this weekend. Bekezela or Tasha, when would be good to meet? I'd really like to work on the idea of a funerary procession in which we could publicly display grief. I imagined that this procession would not just be limited to the missing and murdered black girls of this city, but also for all of the ways that we are made invisible and dehumanized. I imagined we could even possibly share our own stories. because I feel like we need to collectively mourn for all of us. 

Christiane-- I really love what you are doing. Vanessa, I would love it if you were also making flyers and t-shirts. 

*pamoja tutashinda*

Joy 

[Joy Kmt]

Cathlean, my mother,

for myself, 

For my favorite cousin in the whole fucking world

for my best friend in high school... & many others

Tears for Teaira and Gwendolyn and Cathlean and Joy and April and Christina and________________

On Wed, Oct 15, 2014 at 1:51 PM, Celeste Taylor <taylor....@gmail.com> wrote:

Thank you Joy and all.

Over the next couple of days the teenage neighbor girlfriends who
always ask me for things to do, will be flyering about the cleanup day
in Homewood/Sat, the Mayor coming to Westinghouse on Monday and
getting out the vote. Please hook me up with materials so that they
can share this important info too.

I appreciate the variety of activities being planned and yes, it has
sparked the continuing need for me to grieve for my Mom who began
dating an older guy at 13, married at 15, having children for the next
8yrs continually after given drugs to do so while being beaten by her
older boyfriend who became my Dad. She was described as well developed
by the age of 8 when she saw her own Mom die of a massive stroke. She
had a grandmother who loved her dearly but her arms were stretched to
the limits with all those that needed her so my Mom just wanted to be
loved as children do so she went looking for it.

*Tears for Tearia, Gwendolyn and ________...

Hope for the lovely neighborhood girls.

In Peace and solidarity,

Celeste T.

--
I am Temple: Golden Radiant Magnificent wealthy abundant loved cherished protected worthy powerful intuitive graceful ecstatic orgasmic dancing laughing loving paying playing praying sensual feeling foolish wise naughty heaven-creatrix fertile poetic profound ocean-deep mountain high Blessed Child of Divine Mama y Papa

[Suzanne Leona South]

to the hearts, consicous and future of pittsburgh,

 

I continue gratitude for each of you.

In response to Sister Celeste … a few of us have personal connections to the family… through children/sibling friendships. Joy and I have been speaking on this and both separately, very gently, connected with Teairas mother at the viewing Yesterday. 

I respect and love that you are bringing the families needs forward in this space. as that connection builds i am sure we all want to join the circle of support in our own ways… 

 i made an image for digital visibility. it is attached and it is posted on my Facebook ( South Upp). I have tagged peduto, ed Gainey.. and would love to continue to post and tag and share it strategically. if it is something you relate to your are welcome to use it as you wish. i am up for more graphic design if any of you have ideas! also i am open to and appreciate feedback…will listen.

this image was inspired by ferguson.. this past week they made a coffin out of mirrors.. and took it to the police headquarters…

could we continue their idea here with Joys funeral procession Idea…? coffins of mirrors? and coffins of flowers?

strong love,

s

On Wed, Oct 15, 2014 at 10:39 PM, Haute Muslim <haute...@gmail.com> wrote:

Peace Everyone:

I'm extremely encouraged by our unity and our overall honesty, compassion and desire to heal collectively.  I think we all have a very important place in this movement we are creating.  My place, I think is to attempt to work directly with the family.  Whereas, I applaud all the artistic displays we are planning and our own desire to heal from the assaults against us as black women, we have a family, a part of our community that is grieving the very real death of their child. A family who must walk with a very real coffin to a very real grave to never see, hold or talk to Teaira again.  I think we really must attempt to try to connect with them.  To let them know that we are empathizing with them.  To let them know that not only do our lives matter, but very specifically Teaira's life matters. Their grief matters and they are not alone.  Not today, not tomorrow, not when investigators try to not find her murderers. Everyone on this thread knows that this will not be the last time the dehumanization of a Black girl/woman will occur.  My point is that with all our public displays at some point we are going to have to be intimate.  Intimate with the families that this directly impacts on a very different level than it has impacted us.  Please understand that I support all the endeavors we have alluded to in this thread, but I really think part of our duty is to reach our healing hand out to the families...remembering that part of this is very much #forTeaira.

On Wed, Oct 15, 2014 at 9:44 PM, Christiane D <christia...@gmail.com> wrote:

Good Evening All, Thank you all,

Thank you for the opportunity to do something with my grief, terror and sadness.

Meet Maggie Negrete. I added her to this thread because she and I will be working on the stealth park project.

If anyone is interested in helping, ie...laying down for the outline, cutting cloth (no longer cardboard), sewing (need sewing machines), installing (wear black, late night install off of trails), please let me know.

I'll be picking 3-5 major parks to install these works.

I'll be able to start in early November.

All works are to be installed in one night.

Christiane

--

The World Premiere of the Pittsburgh Complaints Choir

We asked our fair citizens and denizens, Are we most livable? And they answered. Learn more about the Complaints n'At Choir and the Pittsburgh Complaints Song at our website.

All Things Christiane D

--

Best,

Celeste

www.hautemuslim.com

[Joy Kmt]

I agree. Is there anybody who is willing to coordinate outreach? I know some of us have already reached out in various ways but her family must also remain a priority.  This grief is persunal, community and societal. 

On Wednesday, October 15, 2014, Haute Muslim <haute...@gmail.com> wrote:

Peace Everyone:

I'm extremely encouraged by our unity and our overall honesty, compassion and desire to heal collectively.  I think we all have a very important place in this movement we are creating.  My place, I think is to attempt to work directly with the family.  Whereas, I applaud all the artistic displays we are planning and our own desire to heal from the assaults against us as black women, we have a family, a part of our community that is grieving the very real death of their child. A family who must walk with a very real coffin to a very real grave to never see, hold or talk to Teaira again.  I think we really must attempt to try to connect with them.  To let them know that we are empathizing with them.  To let them know that not only do our lives matter, but very specifically Teaira's life matters. Their grief matters and they are not alone.  Not today, not tomorrow, not when investigators try to not find her murderers. Everyone on this thread knows that this will not be the last time the dehumanization of a Black girl/woman will occur.  My point is that with all our public displays at some point we are going to have to be intimate.  Intimate with the families that this directly impacts on a very different level than it has impacted us.  Please understand that I support all the endeavors we have alluded to in this thread, but I really think part of our duty is to reach our healing hand out to the families...remembering that part of this is very much #forTeaira.

On Wed, Oct 15, 2014 at 9:44 PM, Christiane D <christia...@gmail.com> wrote:

Good Evening All, Thank you all,

Thank you for the opportunity to do something with my grief, terror and sadness.

Meet Maggie Negrete. I added her to this thread because she and I will be working on the stealth park project.

If anyone is interested in helping, ie...laying down for the outline, cutting cloth (no longer cardboard), sewing (need sewing machines), installing (wear black, late night install off of trails), please let me know.

I'll be picking 3-5 major parks to install these works.

I'll be able to start in early November.

All works are to be installed in one night.

Christiane

--

The World Premiere of the Pittsburgh Complaints Choir

We asked our fair citizens and denizens, Are we most livable? And they answered. Learn more about the Complaints n'At Choir and the Pittsburgh Complaints Song at our website.

All Things Christiane D

--

Best,

Celeste

www.hautemuslim.com

--
Sent from the afrofuture

[Joy Kmt]

I agree. Is there anybody who is willing to coordinate outreach? I know some of us have already reached out in various ways but her family must also remain a priority.  This grief is persunal, community and societal. 

On Wednesday, October 15, 2014, Haute Muslim <haute...@gmail.com> wrote:

Peace Everyone:

I'm extremely encouraged by our unity and our overall honesty, compassion and desire to heal collectively.  I think we all have a very important place in this movement we are creating.  My place, I think is to attempt to work directly with the family.  Whereas, I applaud all the artistic displays we are planning and our own desire to heal from the assaults against us as black women, we have a family, a part of our community that is grieving the very real death of their child. A family who must walk with a very real coffin to a very real grave to never see, hold or talk to Teaira again.  I think we really must attempt to try to connect with them.  To let them know that we are empathizing with them.  To let them know that not only do our lives matter, but very specifically Teaira's life matters. Their grief matters and they are not alone.  Not today, not tomorrow, not when investigators try to not find her murderers. Everyone on this thread knows that this will not be the last time the dehumanization of a Black girl/woman will occur.  My point is that with all our public displays at some point we are going to have to be intimate.  Intimate with the families that this directly impacts on a very different level than it has impacted us.  Please understand that I support all the endeavors we have alluded to in this thread, but I really think part of our duty is to reach our healing hand out to the families...remembering that part of this is very much #forTeaira.

On Wed, Oct 15, 2014 at 9:44 PM, Christiane D <christia...@gmail.com> wrote:

Good Evening All, Thank you all,

Thank you for the opportunity to do something with my grief, terror and sadness.

Meet Maggie Negrete. I added her to this thread because she and I will be working on the stealth park project.

If anyone is interested in helping, ie...laying down for the outline, cutting cloth (no longer cardboard), sewing (need sewing machines), installing (wear black, late night install off of trails), please let me know.

I'll be picking 3-5 major parks to install these works.

I'll be able to start in early November.

All works are to be installed in one night.

Christiane

--

The World Premiere of the Pittsburgh Complaints Choir

We asked our fair citizens and denizens, Are we most livable? And they answered. Learn more about the Complaints n'At Choir and the Pittsburgh Complaints Song at our website.

All Things Christiane D

--

Best,

Celeste

www.hautemuslim.com

[YC Harvey]

I can coordinate/support outreach--outreach to family, yes?  I will need to work with someone (Celeste?) who knows the family; I want to respect their feelings and wishes.  Thanks, Celeste, for all you said.

Christiane: like, others, I also have a sewing machine and can cut and sew fabric whenever that needs to happen.  

Thanks and love to all / Yona

On Thu, Oct 16, 2014 at 7:44 AM, Haute Muslim <haute...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thank you all for your words and our collective efforts...I can assist with coordinating too. Christiane, I would like to assist with the park project in some way as well. I have tons of fabric here and I sew.  

C

On Thu, Oct 16, 2014 at 7:16 AM, Christiane D <christia...@gmail.com> wrote:

Haute,

Thank you for reminding us to connect our actions to the intimate. I don't know the family, but if you would be willing to coordinate, so that perhaps we could all go together to show the family that we care and that she is not forgotten, I will be there.

Suzanne, thank you for the beautiful image, if it is okay with you, can I post to facebook as my profile pic?

My idea with the stealth park project is to remind and disrupt the serenity that our parks represent. I will never see them the same way, nor should anyone else. It is too easy to discount and forget. I hope in a small way this physical, artistic memorial will halt that ease, but also show that it is personal, societal and community.

Christiane

--

Best,

Celeste

www.hautemuslim.com

--

Yona Harvey

Assistant Professor of English

University of Pittsburgh

www.yonaharvey.com

[Joy Kmt]

this is so amazing.. thank you all. 

On Sat, Oct 18, 2014 at 8:13 PM, Bekezela Mguni <bekezel...@gmail.com> wrote:

Here is the link to the google doc https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tRqiGTirABhYuoTfg171mruoiM1ATC6Qj8OrDWeQKQM/edit

Thanks! 

On 18 October 2014 20:08, Bekezela Mguni <bekezel...@gmail.com> wrote:

Good evening everyone, 

I hope you are well. We had a meeting at New Voices Pittsburgh today from 12pm-4:30pm with Julia Johnson, Mel aka Blak Rapp Madusa, Celeste Smith and myself present. It felt really good to talk with some of the folks in real time and we hope that more of us can come together offline soon.  

We tried to use the time as wisely as possible, thinking of all of the ideas folks have shared thus far. Please let us know what you think or feel and any questions, ideas, concerns you may have. Here are the some of the things we discussed and hope to do this week.  Please let us know if you can be present and/or contribute in any way. If you have disagreement with anything please let us know as well.  

Monday, October 20th, 2014:

 

6:30 pm - Meeting at NVP to finalize statement for Mayor's Night Out/ Confirm logistics for Tuesday Action 

Julia will confirm the meeting structure and whether or not residents/attendees need to sign up to speak at the event. If we need to get on a list of speakers she will sign us up.

Tuesday, October 21st, 2014:

12pm - Julia Johnson and Celeste X are meeting and Julia hopes to build more with Celeste on learning how we can offer any family support and to gain  a sense of how to best respect their needs and desires around Teaira's passing.  We also want  to send a plant/flowers and card to the family to express our condolences and to offer comfort during this time. 

6pm-8pm - Statement and Action @ Mayor's Night Out in Homewood 

Statement 

Present statement to Mayor and community. We will have copies for him and all event attendees. While a collective group of us will read the statement, we will ask all of our group to stand in silence holding at least 60 of the posters made this past week. The questions/statements on the posters are 1. What happened to Teaira? 2.We will not be silent about our pain 3. White girls don't get blamed for dying. All of the posters have the Lady of Immaculate Perception's image which was created by Joy KMT. 

Action after @ Mayor's Night Out in Homewood. 

At the end of the event. We want to stand outside while people exit with our posters  and hold candles for all Black women and girls who are missing or have been killed. We will also sing Black Rage by Lauryn Hill. We will have the lyrics printed out for us as well as anyone who wants to join us. The lyric sheet will have information about our action on Friday, October 24th "Flowers For Black Girls" 4pm-7pm, Downtown Pittsburgh, T-Station.  Kelly Parker has agreed to drum this evening. 

What we need: If you want to help write the statement just click here to build on this google doc. One thing we discussed as a priority was the need for the mayor to provide the necessary resources to establish a task force for the health and well-being of Black women and girls in Pgh. No one wants to address our issues but us and it has to be a community based and Black women led effort. What does it mean to create a livable city for Black women? What does it mean for Pittsburgh to become that and demonstrate a commitment to it?

We also need people to come and be present and ask the questions that are important to them. We need folks to sing and to help pass out candles too. 

Thursday, October 23rd, 2014

8pm-10pm - Wheat paste street team (we chose this night because there isn't a current forecast of rain)/ Night before Teaira's birthday. City would wake up to the posters/questions on her birthday.  We need folks to volunteer to help with transportation and pasting. 

Friday, October 24th, 2014

Suggested 11am: Wrap/Ribbon flowers after pick up 

4pm-7pm - Action: "Flowers For Black Girls" - Downtown Pgh @ T-Station -

Take post downtown at the T-station and surrounding vicinity to hand out flowers to Black women and girls with an affirming message, simply "My life matters". This is for being seen, being loved, to encourage, to express hope and so much more. There will be contact information included so they can keep in touch with us. We will also have a person with a clip board to collect anyone's information if they happen to talk further with us about why we are doing this and want to participate

FB event forthcoming 

#FlowersForBlackGirls

#hertimetoshine 

What we need: If anyone has the hookup on flowers (carnations were suggested) please let us know. If you know someone who would give us the best price that's good too/ If you have money to donate to the purchase of flowers let us know as well. We want to wrap them in a clear plastic flower cover  and tie a ribbon with a small note which will include (Flowers For Black Girls/ My life Matters info).  Folks to wrap flowers and folks to participate in the action on Friday. 

Saturday, October 25th, 2014 - Flowers for Teaira

9:30am - Riverview Park - Grief/Healing ritual where Teaira was found. We want to place flowers at the site she was found and come together with the women on this thread. 

Also in next steps we need to move on.. 

Schedule meeting for Funeral Procession action folks discussed. 

Support Christiane's park action ( respond to email, offer sewing machines, support install). 

I know this is a super long email which I hope gives some idea as to what happened today. Please feel to reach out with feedback/questions to the thread or any of us. My number is 917-748-8116. I also have a sewing machine to offer. Thank you. 

With open hearts and breath,

Bekezela, Julia,Mel and Celeste 

On 18 October 2014 09:18, Christiane D <christia...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thank you.

As soon as I hear back from BOOM concepts.

Now, I'd like to take a step back from my vision of surprise, open up the process and ask what you all think would be most effective.

• Should the install be more private (stealth) or more public?
• Do we want to install in parks, because that is where she was found or do we envision other places?

I'm also concerned about legal ramifications, ie...it could be considered trespassing on public property if we install in parks, so I'll be speaking with my lawyer, and a colleague.

Joy, perhaps you have an idea of how you would like this to be.

Be well

Christiane

On Sat, Oct 18, 2014 at 9:03 AM, Heather Manning <hmann...@gmail.com> wrote:

I have a portable machine. Just let me know where and when. 

Peace,

Heather 

On Saturday, October 18, 2014, Christiane D <christia...@gmail.com> wrote:

Good Morning All,

I'm off to a conference next week, but when I get back, I will have further details of how this will all be coordinated.

I will be speaking with DS and Julie to see if we can use the BOOM concept space to do all the cutting and sewing.

How many people have portable machines?

If you can donate cloth, that would be superb. Maggie and I will be making one out of black cloth. White paint will be needed.

I'll get all of this in order, with the goal of doing this the first week of November.

Much Love to all

Christiane

On Fri, Oct 17, 2014 at 7:03 PM, LaKeisha Wolf <lakeis...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sisters,

I'm adding Brandi Fisher to this list who has also began sharing with other sisters the need to offer support to the family...and because of her experience, the push for justice around Teaira's case.

Also Sis Pam Little-Poole, who works with our young people, and would like to be helpful/supportive.

Also, in reference to the fabric being used for the sewing project for the park action...not sure if there's a specific color, etc, but Ujamaa Collective can donate some yards of African fabric. Let me know if its needed.

Peace and love,

LaKeisha

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412-228-5160
www.ujamaacollective.org

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The World Premiere of the Pittsburgh Complaints Choir

We asked our fair citizens and denizens, Are we most livable? And they answered. Learn more about the Complaints n'At Choir and the Pittsburgh Complaints Song at our website.

All Things Christiane D

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The World Premiere of the Pittsburgh Complaints Choir

We asked our fair citizens and denizens, Are we most livable? And they answered. Learn more about the Complaints n'At Choir and the Pittsburgh Complaints Song at our website.

All Things Christiane D

[Amanda Johnson]

Hello all,  I just got this public safety discussion invite from the Coro Fellows program.  I wondered if it was a relevant place to give energy to this week?  There is a RSVP link at the bottom.  I cannot attend.  

I'm not sure how present I will be this week, but I'm going to work on getting some flowers for Friday.

<3 Amanda

Information on Urban Affairs Week on Public Safety

During the week of October 20 the 2015 Coro Fellows will spend time exploring assets and challenges, conducting independent research, and interviewing residents and organizations within the City of Pittsburgh with a focus on public safety.  Through interviews with subject matter experts in Urban Affairs Coro Fellows will examine 3-4 critical areas of public safety on equitable livability (youth, police, crime) and infrastructure (transportation) by answering these questions:

• How does Pittsburgh protect the safety of its citizens?
• What could we do differently in order to ensure the safety of everyone? 
• How effectively are we as a community protecting the safety of all of our citizens?
• What racial, sectoral, generational, political, economic, social, geographic or other boundaries have leaders crossed to help Pittsburgh become a safe city for all its residents?   

At the end of their week-long immersion in urban affairs the Coro Fellows will present their findings and host a dialogue with community members on Friday October 24 at 11:30 a.m. at the Center for Victims in East Liberty, 5916 Penn Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15206   You can RSVP to this presentation here.

[Joy Kmt]

Anybody that is interested in flyering tomorrow night- even if you have previously volunteered- please email me separately  I need to coordinate transportation and resources. thank you.

 Also, we were thinking that rescheduling the Saturday action would be in the best interest of folks after a really intense week, but would like to know if others have thoughts.

Anybody that is interested in still being a part of this coalition/movement, please put your name and contact info here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11N1LLkldgeD2frGo__DDFoSvMAs4CStZwqzT_7DILxY/edit?usp=sharing

So that the communication can be more efficient.

Thank you All. 

Joy. 

On Mon, Oct 20, 2014 at 8:57 PM, Bekezela Mguni <bekezel...@gmail.com> wrote:

Good evening everyone,

We hope you all are doing well. Here are the logistics for tomorrow's action at the Mayor's Night Out, Tuesday October 21st, 2014 6-8pm. 

Arrive at 5pm at Westinghouse High School Auditorium 

- 1101 North Murtland Street Pgh PA 15208

 

Arrive early so that we can sign up on the speaking list. We want speakers from our group to be every other speaker on the list so that we can execute our action. 

Please wear purple as much as you can.

We will give you action details/ posters when you arrive 

My cell phone number is 917-748-8116. 

Joy Kmt, Celeste Smith, Mel and I met tonight. We will ask the following questions 

1. Why don't Black girls matter?

Group response: Our lives matter 

2. Why don't Black lives matter?

Group response: Our lives matter

3 Why doesn't the Black Community matter?

Group response: Our lives matter?

We will sing Black Rage as attendees disperse and pass out information for the action on Friday. 

Lyrics to Black Rage are attached. Here is the song below if you haven't listened/ heard it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8Ix__x0gZM

peace,

bekezela