See you this Saturday at London Nelson!

Join us at Santa Cruz Juneteenth on June 17, 2023 for a vibrant celebration of African American heritage. Enjoy live music, basketball clinics, soul food, a parade, and artistic showcases - all honoring the spirit of freedom. This FREE event is open to everyone. Save the date, spread the word, and celebrate the announcement of the liberation of enslaved Black people in Galveston, TX two years (1865) after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863 -in the aftermath of the Civil War. African Americans in most states have been celebrating our symbolic freedom ever since. In 2021 Juneteenth became a federal holiday.

Join us for a night of fun on June 20th!

Our 2nd annual Black Neighborhood: Karaoke + Game Night battle is a post-Juneteenth event designed to bring community together in a night of cross-generational bonding through game and music! Open to all!

Cheryl’s Corner

June is one of my favorite months. It is the month in which we pay homage to my second favorite season, summer. It’s coming upon us (solstice - June 21st). And for me, that signifies happiness and expressions of love. Yes, a carryover from the vernal equinox, Spring.

June is also the month in which we (nationally) celebrate the acceptance of all types of loving partnerships, identity, and being in the world. Pride month.

Oh, and finally, it’s the month in which we celebrate the acknowledgment of the Black Liberation, officially. The announcement of the manumission/emancipation of enslaved Black people in 1865 in Galveston, TX, 2 ½ years after the Emancipation Proclamation was enacted in 1863. And of course, we all know that slavery was truly abolished in 1865 with the passage of the 13th Amendment (conditionally). This was beautifully portrayed in the documentary, 13th by Ava DuVernay. I mentioned that Black Independence or Liberation was officially acknowledged because it’s only been 2 years (2021) Since Juneteenth became a federal holiday! We all can celebrate this glorious moment, which undoubtedly means a bit more, considering the political landscape the United States has been undergoing most recently. Okay let’s be real, it’s a continuum but it seems like a full-on amplification of the onslaught of civil injustices. I have to stop because I’d be writing for a long time to flesh out those thoughts. Stay tuned, though.

PRIDE

Am I the only one who did not know what the letter “I” stood for in the acronym, LGBTQIA+? Intersex. And thank you Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! She did an interview with an intersex activist who appeared in a documentary by Julie Cohen, titled Every Body which spotlights the Intersex community for recognition and bodily autonomy. You can watch or listen to the segment here: https://www.democracynow.org/2023/6/12/every_body_julie_cohen_film_intersex

BLACK LIBERATION

Oh there’s too much to talk about and I’m running up on my deadline, So I’ll just simply say Black Liberation is a continuum of American History, And lately, my emotions oscillate between fury, pain, and yes joy. So many wins on the racial justice and inequity fronts have been won. To quote former President Barack Obama in his farewell address in January 2017: “That’s what we mean when we say America is exceptional. Not that our nation has been flawless from the start, but that we have shown the capacity to change and make life better for those who follow” I think Ibram X. Kendi states it best in his essay, PROGRESS from The 1619 Project: “The singular racial history of the United States is, therefore, a dual racial history of two opposing forces: historical steps toward justice and equity and historical steps toward injustice and inequity.” 

Peace, Power + Love

Cheryl M. Williams

CoFounder + Director

www.santacruz.black

Chris speaks

First and foremost, I hope to see as many of you as possible over the next week for the myriad of Juneteenth events. I will enjoy the overflow of community in the coming days. I just need it more than the seeming overflow aka the month of February and whirlwind week in mid-June.

I don't think I speak only for myself in saying that nor do I mean to say that's only when we gather as a community of Black residents and accomplices (I prefer accomplice over ally). One of our central goals at Santa Cruz Black is to amplify and share events organized by and created for the Black community in Santa Cruz County. We are not trying to be exclusionary by any means. So, when you see an event named "Black Neighborhood Karaoke + Game Night," don't think that means all are not welcome. Just make sure your dominoes game is on point, you're ready for karaoke or are willing to learn how to play spades from the best. We'll see you on June 20.

I think the events featured in this newsletter speak for themselves. Support where you can, how you can, and when you can.

Pride in Santa Cruz is always celebrated earlier than most places, but this entire month is celebratory as it should be in my opinion. We are seeing the attempted demonization of drag as a form of expression by those, such as Ron DeSantis, in positions of power.

The distraction being created around a form of self-expression that does indeed challenge gender norms is able to laugh at itself, and gives voice to so many who feel unheard/unseen is jarring.

I've attended RuPaul's DragCon in Los Angeles five times starting in 2017. I was amazed in seeing so many parents from every corner of this country and around the world who just let their children have a great time. Boys can have glitter on their faces. Girls can have a beard drawn with makeup. It's incredible thinking about how so many of my peers and chosen family (me too) didn't get to experience adolescence with that level of acceptance. The difference it would've made and in lives saved is innumerable.

You don't have to "agree." Those who know me well, know that I say to that that there is nothing to agree with. You may not understand how or why a person expresses their gender or identifies. That's ok. You don't need to nor should you be so arrogant to think that it's necessary to "understand." You just need to respect them. Simple.

Again, I hope to see you over the next week (and beyond). Next time, I'll likely be talking about the Supreme Court and the whirlwind of opinions they're releasing and why it matters to pay attention (when they have dismantled affirmative action in higher education).

Be well. Be kind to yourselves and each other.

In community,

Chris

Upcoming Community Events!

uplifting and amplifying opportunities to build and strengthen community

Liberation Paddle Out—June 18

Celebrate freedom and unity at the Liberation Paddle Out! Join Black Surf Santa Cruz for an unforgettable day of sun, sand, and solidarity as we commemorate the spirit of liberation. Enjoy thrilling beach games, indulge in delectable food, and embrace the vibrant atmosphere of togetherness. Best of all, this event is completely FREE! We're also providing free equipment, so you can join the paddle-out experience starting at 2:30 pm. Bring your friends, family, and your enthusiasm as we create lasting memories and honor the power of freedom. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of the Liberation Paddle Out at Cowell Beach on June 18th. See you there!

March Towards Love & Courage—June 19

Join us to commemorate the three-year anniversary of George Floyd. We will be holding an event to foster empowerment and solidarity amongst community members in times of hate and fear spreading in the U.S. By leading conversations on Unity, Education, and Community-led Solutions towards issues of social and systemic inequality. Join us as we walk from the London Nelson Center to Santa Cruz City Hall.

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 in an old style theater and stage! See you there!

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.