May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Correction: Event date, May 25th, 5-6:30.

Join us for an insightful panel discussion with three local Black women: Dr. Jackie Rabouin, a psychotherapist who specializes in mental health for the ABC community (African, Black, Caribbean) at UCSC; Cat Moses, Founder/Director of Black Health Matters Initiative, and Lakia Queen, psychotherapist from Caminar, a mental health services agency in Santa Clara County, and secretary on the Board of Directors for Santa Cruz Black.

We will delve into the importance of mental health in the Black community. This event reflects in-depth conversations about navigating mental health in the Santa Cruz Black community. The panelists will share their experiences and expertise on mental health toolkits, overcoming mental health stigma in the Black community, finding healing through community, and having safe spaces to cultivate strength through vulnerability.

If you are interested in being a part of this conversation join us on Wednesday, May 25 on Zoom.

Our intention with the Melanin Mental Wellness Circle Talk is to provide an informative and engaging dialogue through the challenges and opportunities of mental health in the Black community.

We invite the community to share their questions about mental health to be answered by our panelists. Share your questions via email at programs@santacruz.black

Our Spring Town Hall will be Wednesday, May 31 at 612 Ocean St. Join us to hear about our future plans for Santa Cruz Black and what we are currently focusing on in the community! Stay tuned for the zoom link.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT ON JUNE 28 AND BEYOND.
HERE’S HOW CAN YOU HELP.

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 and equity, and intergenerational community building - and are crucial to improving the quality of life for Santa Cruz County’s Black community.

To continue funding these programs and truly establish a sustainable path forward, we are launching a capital campaign and hosting an event on June 28. We need your support! There are several ways you can help us achieve our fundraising goals:

1. Volunteer (planning or day of): We need volunteers to assist us with various tasks such as setting up, serving food and drinks, and cleaning up after the event. Your help will ensure that the event runs smoothly and that our guests have a great time.

2. Be a table captain: Table captains are responsible for filling a table with guests and encouraging them to make a donation. If you have a wide network of friends and family who may be interested in supporting our mission and vision, we encourage you to sign up as a table captain.

3. Leverage your social networks: Whether you are able to attend the event or not, you can help us by leveraging your social networks, asking people who you know and believe in the importance of economic justice and racial equity to support our cause. By spreading the word about Santa Cruz Black and the work that we do, you can help us reach a wider audience and build on the momentum we’ve started.

A one-time gift of support or becoming an ally with a recurring monthly gift 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.
$2500 provides support for our larger community events in providing guest speakers and artists the honoraria they deserve.

We welcome you to support us by donating what you can. We are developing names for tiers for donations including monthly, quarterly, and annual options. This doesn’t mean you can’t start supporting us now.

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.

Upcoming Community Events & Opportunities in Santa Cruz County

MAY 18th

“Register NOW for our next meet-up on Thursday, May 18 from 5:30-7pm at the Garfield Park Library Branch: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/10239100”

“STATE OF MUSIC PANEL DISCUSSION IS ON!!!

Musicians! Come listen to stories of your shared experience from top-level musicians who directly relate.

What you do is needed. It’s valid and inspires people to connect to themselves and others. Come be educated and informed to continue your musical journey in a more empowered way than ever.

Everyone! Come gain knowledge about the past worlds of music, about today’s music industry at large & ecosystem of Santa Cruz, so we can build the models of the future. You are a part of music’s creation and its eternal life. Let’s grow together!” - Sonivore Studio

“May 26th, 6-8pm: Panelists Bill Summers, Tammi Brown, Reggie Stephens, and Greg Landau will share their experience on how they’ve cultivated their knowledge and networks through the decades, all the while deepening in their relationship to music and their personal sense of empowerment:”

Calling all BIPOC and/or underrpresented artists in Santa Cruz County! We want to hear YOUR creative voices at our “Melanated Expressions” art showcase. This showcase is intended to provide a platform for artists to share what matters most to THEM. Whether it is a call to action, a showcase of your talents, or a question you have for the viewer, we want to hear and amplify what YOU have to express.

Applications open from April 7th - June 5th at 11:59pm.

Acceptance emails will be sent out on June 12th.

Apply online here.

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.