Tonight! Hear two of our co-founders speak and share their perspectives on major issues within our community, Read below (BIPOC only event)

We are excited to be part of this program and honored to be invited to open up a conversation on how the social construct of colorism- a global phenomenon- and its relationship to internalized racism within our communities of color

We will see you tonight from 4-5pm, please visit the @countyparkfriends page for more information.

Also!: "Check out the @santacruzmuseum of Natural History during special extended hours (same day 4-5) for our BIPOC community, then walk over to the bonfire. This series continues on the 3rd Thursdays of each month 4-5pm at the museum and 5-630 at the beach!"

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

Please feel encouraged to amplify these events through your networks.

“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”

“Musical Soulmates is proud to announce the launch of our first annual event, “Let The Caged Bird Sing”🎶🕊

featuring local singers and song writers in honor of Sexual Violence Awareness Month

In partnership with the Walnut Ave Family & Women’s Center, the event will be an intimate night of music and healing that you won’t want to miss.

Tickets linked in the bio

proceeds go to support the Center’s services. See you Sunday!✨”

“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 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.