We broke bread, we built stronger connections, and we some fun!!! Black ass Black joy! We will be doing it once a month so come out and show up!

Cheryl’s Corner

Hello friends, fam + community!

I hope this newsletter finds you well and filled with the spirit of resilience and unity. Today, I want to dive deeper into the rich tapestry of Black liberation, highlighting the progress we have made over the past two centuries. I see our struggle as a continuum resilience, and triumph, woven together by the unwavering determination of Black individuals and our supportive communities.

Black liberation has always been a journey, and as we reflect on our history, we find moments of profound joy amidst the challenges. Joy is a testament to our resilience and a celebration of the progress we have achieved. It’s a reminder that even in the face of adversity, we continue to thrive and create a brighter future for generations to come.

In our movement towards Black Liberation, we must acknowledge the Black women who have been at the forefront of these movements. These remarkable Black women have been instrumental in driving change and dismantling systemic barriers. Let us acknowledge the contributions of today’s trailblazers like Kimberlé Crenshaw, whose groundbreaking work on intersectionality has transformed our understanding of identity and oppression. Barbara Smith, a 20th century Black lesbian feminist pioneer and co-founder of the Combahee River Collective, whose activism -which include writing and teaching- centers on the experiences of Black women. And Barbara Lee, a fierce advocate for education rights and an early champion for LGBTQI+ rights, dedicated advocate for advancing legislation to lift families out of poverty. These women, among countless others, inspire us with their leadership and dedication to justice. These incredible women are guiding lights in our collective struggle for liberation, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.

While we celebrate Black liberation, we must also explore the intersectionality of this journey with the LGBTQ+ Pride movement. Both movements are rooted in the pursuit of freedom, equality, and the right to exist authentically. The struggles faced by the Black community and the LGBTQIA+ community often intertwine, highlighting the importance of solidarity and allyship. By acknowledging and supporting one another's battles, we create a more inclusive and equitable world for all.

Now, onto some exciting news! We are thrilled to announce our first annual fundraiser, which will take place on August 23rd. We have rescheduled the event to ensure we have ample community support and participation. However, please note that the date is subject to change based on the level of support we receive.

As we embark on this exciting journey of planning our fundraiser, let us remember the core values that bring us together—community, support, and the pursuit of a more just and inclusive society. Your involvement in this event will help us create lasting impact and support the important work we do as a Black-led, Black-focused nonprofit organization.

Thank you for your ongoing support and stay tuned for more updates on the fundraiser as we move closer to the event. We are grateful for each and every, one of you!

Peace, Power, and Love,

Cheryl M. Williams

Chris speaks

Hello folks.

I hope this message finds you well and filled with the some of the joy and community resonated over this past weekend. The Juneteenth-related events were a true celebration of freedom and resilience. From the vibrant festival to the powerful Liberation Paddle Out and the powerful March Towards Love & Courage, we came together in a beautiful display of unity.

As we continue to celebrate Pride Month, it is important to highlight the intersectionality within the LGBTQIA+ community. This month is an opportunity to not only celebrate but also to recognize the ongoing fight for equality, particularly for Black trans lives.

(The number of homicides of transgender people nearly doubled between 2017 and 2021, driven primarily by killings with firearms, according to a leading anti-gun violence group. The Everytown report found that Black transgender people, especially transgender women, were killed at a particularly disproportionate rate -- echoing previous analysis that the trans community faces higher rates of violence.) source: ABC News

I want to shed light on two influential figures who have contributed significantly to the LGBTIA+ rights movement.

First, let's remember Marsha P. Johnson, a transgender activist and prominent figure in the Stonewall uprising. Her courage and resilience paved the way and inspired generations to come. Second, Brother Outsider a must-watch documentary shines the spotlight on Bayard Rustin, featured in an underappreciated leader in the civil rights movement and a gay man who played a pivotal role in organizing the March on Washington in 1963. On November 20, 2013, Rustin was posthumously awarded the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. Their impact is greater than I believe they ever could have imagined.

Looking ahead, we have the repainting of the Black Lives Matter mural on June 24. It’s time! This is an opportunity for our community to come together once again and show our unwavering support for racial justice. If you would like to get involved, you can sign up to volunteer here. I participated in a recent dialogue with one of the vandals, and this week's Good Times features an insightful piece on that conversation. Let's make sure our voices are heard and our commitment to equality is boldly displayed through this mural.

I recently had the honor of participating in an annual event centered around creating a true farm-to-table meal. This event, in partnership with FoodWhat, brings together a cohort of students who engage in a transformative experience with land, food, and each other. FoodWhat's impact on the lives of those it serves is truly incredible. However, I noticed that there were no Black students as part of this year's cohort. This realization reminds us of the importance of spreading the word about organizations like FoodWhat and the opportunities they provide. I encourage you to learn more about their work at foodwhat.org.

On a different note, the conclusion of the U.S. Supreme Court's 22-23 term approaches. I had a sigh of relief that they will force Alabama to redraw its Congressional districts, a crucial step in ensuring fair representation. The question of affirmative action in relation to higher education looms in the coming days. I want to talk about Justice Samuel Alito. I was no fan of him when he was nominated in 2006 by George W. Bush. They gave him the nickname Scalito in reference to his jurisprudence being in the same lane as the late Antonin Scalia. The level of arrogance displayed by his close association with a billionaire benefactor and their subsequent involvement in numerous cases before SCOTUS raises questions about potential impropriety. We must remain vigilant and hold our judicial system to the highest standards of integrity.

Lastly, I want to share exciting news with you. We are in the early stages of planning our late summer fundraiser to gear up for fiscal year 2024. This fundraiser will be instrumental in supporting our ongoing mission and programs. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.

I am incredibly grateful for the fellowship and connections that have grown since the inception of Santa Cruz Black in 2020. The sense of community we have fostered is truly remarkable, and I hope to meet many more of you in person as we continue on this journey together.

In community,

Chris

Upcoming Community Events!

uplifting and amplifying opportunities to build and strengthen community

“It’s been a few weeks, but this week we’re going back home!

Come celebrate the beginning of summer at that great neighborhood venue — @woodhousebrews!

@sal_tek opens! 6pm-10pm. No cover.
See you soon!!!”

Meet & Greet Reception

Please join us in meeting the 418 Project’s newest Board Members; Ann-Marie Yap, Stanford Medicine, and Sonja Brunner, Council-member, City of Santa Cruz.

Friday, June 23 · 3:30 - 5:30pm PDT The 418 Project 155 S River Street Santa Cruz, CA

BLM Mural Repainting—June 24

SC Equity Collab, (SCEC), is a co-led initiative sparked by 2020’s energized racial justice movement and founded around the creation of Santa Cruz’s Black Lives Matter street mural—a project conceived by artist and activist Abi Mustapha.

In 2021, the mural was vandalized. Three years later, after court proceedings, and countless cries for retorative justice, the SCEC is coming together with the community once again to repaint the mural. Will you be there? Put your love into action on June 24th, 2023! Come anytime between 10am-5pm or sign-up for a specific shift. Volunteers are needed! Fill out this form today!

Prideteenth Fashion Party—June 30

Juneteenth and Pride meet high fashion! See you there!

in collaboration with @mozeart at the @radiusgallery This event is intended to showcase underrepresented voices and bring communities together through ART! In conjunction with our gallery show, we will have community events, a chance to meet with artists, and a wrap up party you don’t want to miss!

SANTA CRUZ BLACK NEEDS YOU!
HERE’S HOW CAN YOU HELP US GROW.

We started as a group holding community meetings during the height of the racial reckoning after the murder of George Floyd. We aim to bring Black people together to feel joy and organize for equitable access to housing in Santa Cruz County.

Many Black residents experience high levels of isolation and economic marginalization in our region, which is why our three core programs focus on youth empowerment, housing access, equity, and intergenerational community building - and are crucial to improving the quality of life for Santa Cruz County’s Black community.

Santa Cruz Black’s 501(c)3 application is pending. Any monetary support you give is not only welcome but will assist us in scaling up our efforts. We are grateful for all the love that our community has shown us. This is an open invitation to continue. If you’re as passionate about achieving racial justice and equity as we are, please consider donating. For instance, if anyone or a group of friends has the resources and can cobble together the amounts below, your support is greatly appreciated. And of course, any amount that fits your budget is joyously accepted.

A one-time gift of support allows us to grow our burgeoning grassroots efforts to amplify the Black community in Santa Cruz County and build community programming and community assets. A one-time or monthly donation of ANY size sows the seeds needed for our emerging organization to thrive.

For example:
$100 will allow us to print and distribute our organizational informational collateral
$250 supports building and maintaining our IT infrastructure and needs
$500 enables us to provide transportation for our cohorts in the Melanated Makerspace program to events county-wide.
$1000 allows us to sustain our office space and expand our services as a growing community resource & workflow software platforms
$2500 provides support for our larger community events in providing guest speakers and artists the honoraria they deserve $5000 – The above plus brand name swag for community members

We welcome you to support us by donating what you can. We are passionate about the work that we do and we believe that with your support, we can and will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of Black residents in Santa Cruz County. We invite community feedback around our priorities and programming and your support in our endeavors.

Follow @santacruz.black on Instagram and visit our website, Santacruz.black for more information about Santa Cruz Black as we as other local events and community news.