To view this message in a browser:
[link removed]

Dear John,

Imagine a United States where all of us, across race, gender, and class,
can live in vibrant, thriving neighborhoods with access to health care,
quality public schools and parks, and the freedom to make our own best
lives for ourselves and our families…and that begins with housing us
all.

April is Fair Housing Month when we reaffirm Race Forward's dedication
to ensuring everyone has a safe, healthy place to live.

Housing is a basic human need – it is necessary to access quality
employment, education, healthcare, and social and recreational services.
Our commitment to fair housing rests in the Fair Housing Act of 1968,
which affords all people the right to housing free from discrimination
based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, familial
status, or disability. Today, we work to guarantee housing is affordable
and sustainable. Together, we can envision a housing system wherein
racial hierarchies have been eliminated.

We have published Housing Is A Basic Human Need: A Messaging Guide for
Housing Justice [[link removed]]
to support tenant organizers, homeowners, community leaders with
language to talk about their housing justice campaigns effectively.
Within our Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) [[link removed]],
we convened a peer-to-peer Housing, Land, and Development Network
[[link removed]]
of local and regional housing, planning, and community development
agencies and released the Housing, Land, and Development Toolbox
[[link removed]]
to guide local housing, planning, and community development agencies to
collaborate with communities impacted by systemic racism. This year,
through our Housing, Land, and Justice Initiative,
[[link removed]]
we introduce the 2024 Housing, Land, and Justice Artist Fellows – nine
artists, creatives, and culture bearers from across the country, who
will uplift new narratives of housing justice through their artistic
works.

Meet Our Fellows

"What does housing and land justice look, smell, sound and/or feel like
to you?"

This month Race Forward is proud to announce the nine artists who are
participating in its Housing, Land, and Justice Fellowship cohort. Each
artist received $20,000 to produce an original artwork or cultural
production in media, visual or performance art. Their art incorporates
the core narrative from the housing justice story platform published in
the PolicyLink Housing Justice Narrative Toolkit.
[[link removed]]

Each fellow shared their personal definition of housing and land
justice:

"Housing and land justice, to me, is about the complete freedom to live
with dignity. It is being right relationship to each other as a human
family, all living beings, and the earth as part of our collective
liberation."

— Anu Yadav
Instagram: @anuyadavishere
[[link removed]]

Andre Jones

Andre Jones is the Executive Director of the Bay Area Mural Program [[link removed]].
With a focus on community engagement and social justice, he has
transformed public spaces into vibrant murals that tell local stories.
Under his leadership, the organization has become a key player in
enriching community life through art.

Instagram: @nattyrebelart
[[link removed]]

"Housing and land justice feels like joy, dignity, and safety. Housing
and land justice is the right that all folks share to have access to
safe and dignified places to call home. The artwork that I make invites
folks to collectively imagine futures that actually benefit us, and
housing justice is a building block for the joyful and healthy community
I want to live in."

— Autumn Breon
Instagram: @autumnbreon
[[link removed]]

"It feels like controlling the narrative of past, present and future
narratives."

— Brian Ellison
Instagram: @theblackmanproject
[[link removed]]

"we are at home in ourselves, shoulders raising arms and hands,
unencumbered by trauma and regret. we are safe to touch each other's
bodies, which are dreams. streams and rivers, lakes and seas nourish us
through mists. work is meaningful, we are weary and waking in a
passionate collective push producing what we need to survive in service.
suffering, capitalism, and white supremacy live only in spooky stories
about the past. we have deconstructed race and class. gender hierarchies
are a pyramid built for pleasure, we slide down and climb it in rapture.
institutions and monuments are dedicated to novelty and beauty. we are
parents, lovers, and siblings to the land, water, sky, and our creature
kin. life leaves vibrant flavours on our freedom tongues."

— Charlyn Griffith-Oro
Instagram: @_oroori_
[[link removed]]

"Housing and land justice looks and feels like C.A R.E. Which means
community, accountability, restoration and equity (derived from the For
Everyone Collective). Housing and less and justice smells like clean air
(which we are working towards) and fresh cut flowers."

— Danielle Demetria East
Instagram: @danielledemetria
[[link removed]]

"Housing and land justice, to me, is about the complete freedom to live
with dignity. It is being right relationship to each other as a human
family, all living beings, and the earth as part of our collective
liberation."

— Lauren Williams
Instagram: @ldubalicious
[[link removed]]

"To me, housing and land justice refers to ensuring people have safe,
equitable, affordable housing, and the laws, rules and regulations
associated with the aforementioned, are fair, and just."

— Nguyen E. Smith
Instagram: @bundlehouse
[[link removed]]

"Housing and land justice looks like abundance. An abundance of
resources, an abundance of care, and an abundance of self-determination.
When we take care of each other, we are actively working through
abolitionist values to create reliable systems of support for our
communities to thrive. It smells like native flowering plants once
again, it sounds like cultural music coming from every direction, and
hearing children and elders laughing in conversation. It looks like
cherry pits on the sidewalks, and children learning how to swim at the
local park, and the community garden being full of life. Housing and
land justice feels like a community in love."

— Taishona Carpenter
Instagram: @highimtai
[[link removed]]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our Latest

We've been talking about diversity, equity and inclusion all wrong.

Race Forward Senior Strategic Advisor Candace Moore, Esq. has always
been driven by her passion for upholding fairness and justice. The first
Chief Equity Officer for the City of Chicago,
[[link removed]]
she knows first-hand how diversity, equity, and inclusion helps to
bridge the gap between communities' needs and their access to resources.

So why are opponents targeting DEI as a threat to our nation's progress?
Candace shares her thoughts on this and why DEI builds our strength to
embrace change The Grio [[link removed]].

Read More
[[link removed]]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Governing for Racial Justice | GARE Southern Regional Meeting
May 14-16 | Dallas, Texas

Are you a racial equity practitioner working in government or a public
steward? A partner organization working in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia,
Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Texas? If so, the Government
Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) invites you to " Governing for Racial
Justice, the Southern Regional Meeting" on May 14-16 in Dallas.
This event – open to both GARE members and non-members – offers a full
program of speakers, workshops, networking opportunities, and cultural activities.

Amid legislation prohibiting racial equity training and limiting DEI
programs, the concept of racial equity is under attack. We've also
witnessed gubernatorial assaults on critical race theory and
curtailments on teaching history in school. In these important moments,
your work in the South is vital. We are calling for NEW Southern
Strategies. Our programming will provide attendees with the resources,
tools, connections, and inspiration to strive for a just, multiracial
democracy.

Register Today
[link removed]

Code: GSRM24

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Public School Strong Training – Every 2nd Tuesday!

Students, families, educators, and school board members across America
are facing unprecedented attacks from far-right extremists who want to
dismantle our public schools.

But if we show up, speak out, and make our voices heard, we can take
back the momentum.

H.E.A.L. Together kicked off the Public School Strong campaign with a
monthly training series to give public school parents, family members,
educators and supporters from across the country the tools they need to
show up and effectively push school districts to promote, protect, and
strengthen our public schools.

Join the next #PublicSchoolStrong training on Tuesday, May 14.

Public school parents, family members, educators and supporters from
across the country will learn:

*How to show your support for well-resourced and inclusive public schools
*What to look for in your districts' school board meetings
*How to form a Public School Strong team in your school district
*Ways to join a national movement to protect and transform public schools
that serve all children

Register for May 14
[[link removed]]

Once you attend a Public School Strong training and take the pledge to
show up to your local school board meetings, you will be mailed a Public
School Strong t-shirt! You will also be given access to toolkits,
talking points, deeper trainings, and more to help you build the
movement for honest, equitable, and fully funded public schools in your
district.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vendor/Exhibit Opportunities Now Available!

Reach Facing Race's 4,000 attendees through our vendor and exhibitor
opportunities. This year the Facing Race Vendor/Exhibition Hall will be
curated in partnership with St. Louis nonprofit Frizzy By Nature
[[link removed]]. This local business hosts Frizz Fest,
a natural beauty festival aimed to encourage self-love and inspire
confidence among women.

Our commitment remains centered on businesses and organizations led by
people of color. We are dedicated to partnering specifically with
vendors whose entities are owned, operated, or serve Black, Indigenous,
people of color, and individuals who are trans-identified and/or
non-binary.

Join us in fostering an inclusive and empowering space at Facing Race.
Learn more about rates and apply by August 1.

Reserve Your Spot by August 1
[[link removed]]

Calling All St. Louis Creatives!

Facing Race [[link removed]]is this nation's largest,
intergenerational racial justice conference. This year's conference will
be held November 20-22, in St. Louis. We are seeking talented artists,
culture bearers, and a videographer for the following opportunities:

Filmmakers Wanted

Are you a talented filmmaker passionate about using your craft to
amplify voices and stories that promote racial justice and equity? Do
you believe in the power of visual storytelling to spark meaningful
conversations and drive social change? Then Facing Race is looking for
you!

Apply by May 22
[[link removed]]

Honoring St. Louis' Indigenous History

Create a one-of-a-kind art installation that celebrates the St. Louis
region's Indigenous resilience, history, and excellence. This is a
unique opportunity to amplify Indigenous voices and narratives and
uplift the original stewards of this region. This installation will be
featured throughout Facing Race.

Apply by May 22
[[link removed]]

Uplifting BIPOC Artists

Facing Race is curating an art gallery that reflects St. Louis' rich
history of racial justice. We seek to feature works from local BIPOC
artists to show attendees the best Greater St. Louis has to offer.

Apply by June 28
[[link removed]]

Facing Race offers several ways to get involved. Don't forget about
these opportunities!

Scholarships [[link removed]]
Applications Due September 1

Volunteers [[link removed]]
Applications Due August 1

Sponsorship [[link removed]]
See What Options Work for You

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Racial Equity Training Series

Take a powerful step towards dismantling systemic racism. Our Racial
Equity Training Series is a collection of interactive sessions to help you
deepen your understanding of key racial equity concepts and tools.

[[link removed]]

Here's a look at what's coming up:

Building Racial Equity — May 7

This foundational course explains racial justice values and vision,
defines key concepts of racial justice and racism, and emphasizes
opportunities to challenge and change institutional racial inequities.

Register Here
[[link removed]]

Decision-Making for Racial Equity — May 21

This engaging training uses Race Forward's Racial Equity Decision-making
Tool (RED Tool) to guide participants through building an
organization-wide racial equity decision-making practice and culture
that centers communities and community members who will be most impacted
by the decisions.

Prerequisite: Building Racial Equity

Register Here
[[link removed]]

Governing for Racial Equity — May 22

Designed for those working within government, this interactive training,
which includes facilitated discussion, exercises, and video, provides an
introduction to the role, responsibilities and opportunities for
government to advance racial equity by focusing on normalizing racial
equity as a core value; operationalizing racial equity through new
policies and institutional practice; and organizing for racial equity,
both internally and in partnership with other institutions and the
community.

Register Here
[[link removed]]

Facilitating Racial Equity — June 17-18

Facilitating Racial Equity gives a behind-the-scenes view of how racial
equity workshops are structured, built, and delivered. From this
training, participants will be more familiar with the practice of
equity-focused facilitation, naming social dynamics, and guiding group
learning and designing a learning experience.

Prerequisite: Building Racial Equity

Register Here
[[link removed]]

Services for Organizations

Race Forward is committed to transformational, sustainable change for
racial justice. We provide services to help organizations develop and
advance racially equitable policies and practices.

Our services are developed and delivered by a multiracial and
multigenerational team of experts with extensive knowledge and
experience in various areas, including policy and program development,
leadership development and strategic coaching, community organizing, and
racial equity.

Learn More
[[link removed]]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ICYMI: We're on Threads!

To meet the changing landscape of social media, Race Forward is now
active on Threads, a new social media channel to further the
conversation on racial equity in the US. You can start your own Threads
profile through your Instagram account.

Follow Us

[link removed]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We hope your April has been one of celebration and progress. Visit
raceforward.org [[link removed]] to learn more about our work.

In solidarity,

Team Race Forward

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You're receiving this because you have requested communication from Race Forward
[link removed]
.
Manage your email subscriptions
[link removed]
.

Copyright © Race Forward, PO Box 96353, Washington, DC 20090-6353, USA
Having trouble reading this email? View it in your browser
[link removed]
.