Hey everyone,

We’ve slogged through March and it’s April already. We’ve received our April showers early and may the fruits of our labor sprout when the May flowers start budding. At this point you may be wondering to what in the world is she referring?  Keep reading. We, as a county, as a community have survived the atmospheric river events. Our dedicated intentional efforts have born out some of the results that were needed and asked for.  So yay a big thank you goes out to everyone who participated on whatever level seemed right for you.  Some members of our community were even honored at the fun-filled the NEXTIES in late March. Yes, it never ceases to amaze me how much love and gratitude exists in this town.  Yet, Santa Cruz is not idyllic for everyone who live or try to exist here. 

Still, there are beautiful, dedicated people trying to steer those ships to a safer place.  We started off April with a March to End Homelessness placing a spotlight on the one issue that is plaguing Santa Cruz, in particular, and the nation as a whole right now.  I don’t want to make it seem as if there is only one major national social ill we are facing. Oh no, the atmospheric river events brought on by lack of climate control and homelessness, unaffordable housing, housing insecurity are creating quite a bit of harm.  There are so many issues to champion to make this world a better place; we all have to choose what we’re most passionate about and weigh that out with our capacity to do good.  Obviously, we all don’t think this way. I bet many of you reading this newsletter probably do, at least have an interest in contributing to doing good in the world on whatever level you can. 

And for those of you who do, Santa Cruz Black is grateful for however you choose to support us.  How many of you know the story of Shanquella Robinson?  This is a story of a beautiful young Black woman, 25 who life was ended in a luxury apartment in Mexico by the hands of her own friends. The biggest disappointment is that the federal government is not filing charges.  You can read about it here. 

On a happier note, the state of Tennessee was a mess and in two weeks’ time a resolution to what one can only say was a devastating and unnecessary blow to democracy has been fixed.  Both Justins are now heroes in the fight for gun control in that state. 

If you all enjoy and find value in our newsletters and our subsequent work in the community, please give freely to our organization now via this link: http://bit.ly/SCBLACK .  We still have a limited supply of autographed books by Keeda J. Haynes: Bending the Arc: My Journey from Prison to Politics for a minimum donation of $50.00. Make sure to note that you would like a copy of the book.  If anyone of you reading this newsletter would prefer giving a small amount monthly, we’d welcome that type of love.  We need and are so grateful to have you in our corner fighting with us to make change happen. Please read below for more information on how we put your dollars to work.

In community and solidarity,

Peace, power + love

Cheryl M. Williams

Uplifting Community! Santa Cruz Black amplifies upcoming community events; read below to stay informed.

Powerful conversations, information about ways to support Pájaro Evacuees, volunteer opportunities, opportunities for artists, and more.

Please feel encouraged to amplify these events through your networks.

Tennessee House Reps Expelled and then reinstated! No Justins, no peace!

Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, two Democrats who were recently expelled from the Tennessee legislature over their participation in a gun control protest, have both officially been reinstated to their old seats. Jones was reinstated by the Nashville Metropolitan Council by a 36-0 vote on Monday, and Pearson was reinstated by the Shelby County Commission by a 7-0 vote on Wednesday. Jones was sworn back into his old seat on Monday evening, while Pearson is set to be sworn in this week as well. Source: Vox

“Stories of Resistance is sponsored by the Resource Center for Nonviolence to lift up movement memories in Santa Cruz County and inspire future activism. In the last 50 years local activists have conducted many actions and campaigns resisting colonialism, violence, racism, exploitation of people and the environment. Storytelling about personal and political impacts, racial dynamics encountered, and learnings for future organizing will help us transform our society and ourselves.” Register here.

“Please Support🌿Join🌿Share
This week we will be done distributing the majority of the GoFundMe money ‼️😭🙌🏾💜and we are ready to throw one of signature Círculo & Healing Clinic!!! This event is for EVERYONE especially the Pájaro evacuees, farmworkers, and all the Pájaro Angels that have been here with us during this storm!!! So many beautiful beautiful souls live here!!!

Still looking for more help in the form of non toxic gifts and herbal medicines for the children and the wombyn!! Also need more bodyworkers, healers, ceremonial peoples. We still need food and volunteers for the set up and clean up. Please let us know if you have an offering to share for this sacred ceremony in Pájaro. Everyone who donated to the GoFundMe is also cordially invited!!! Thank YOU for trusting US and for showing up with PURO CORAZÓN!
El corazón de la madre tierra who is calling it’s children back thorough the sacred waters of Pájaro, Califoaxacatlán 🔥🌎💦🌿🌕✊🏾🐌🤎💦🪷☀️”

“Midtown Community Clean Up!
Friday April 21st, 4-6pm

Please RSVP via Eventbrite:
TDCmidtowncommunitycleanup.eventbrite.com

Join us for a Midtown Santa Cruz Community Clean Up! Help us beautify midtown Santa Cruz. Gloves and garbage bags will be provided. LGBTQ+ people and allies are welcome to attend!
*weather permitting*

Questions? Contact Meggie Pina, Manager of Programs and Impact, by email: meggie.pina@diversitycenter.org”

“Dear Friends,

CPVAW (Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women) is hosting a powerful panel of men to speak about sexual violence and preventionat the Resource Center for Nonviolence on April 26th, 2023 at 7 pm.

We hope you can share with those who work with the schools especially, high school and middle school youth.

We can accommodate and save seats for teachers who commit.

Thank you for sharing and showing up!!”

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 at migenteca.org/events/melanated-expressions” Link here: https://forms.wix.com/f/7049872619033592811

In case you missed it!

In case you missed the Community Reading of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's most prolific sermon delivered at Riverside Church in New York on 4-04-67 exactly 1 to the date when he was murdered. Here is the link to the recording of the event.

**Please note that Nikia Chaney replaced Mak Nova as a reader for this program

SUPPORT US AND HELP US
BUILD OUR 2023 PROGRAMMING AND BEYOND

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.

Santa Cruz Black (initially as Santa Cruz County Black Coalition for Justice and Racial Equity) was established in response to the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. That event and the fact that the Black residents of Santa Cruz County are only 1.7 % of the total population was the catalyst to bring Black concerns out of the shadows and into the forefront in this county.

We are dedicated to Black initiatives through community engagement, including: our commitment to closing the racial wealth, developing affordable housing opportunities, empowering youth, and creating community events for Black residents in Santa Cruz County.

Our mission is to empower & sustain a prosperous & thriving Black community by building and advocating for fair & just policies that promote increased access and equity in health, safety, & well being.

Please consider supporting Santa Cruz Black.

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.

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.