June Newsletter: Juneteenth and Freedom
Greetings Community,
Today is Juneteenth, the day when the last remaining enslaved people learned of their freedom in Galveston, Texas, on June 19th, 1865 - 900 days after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, 71 days after General Lee surrendered, and 24 days after the Confederate military was disbanded in Texas. It is a celebration - yes - but it is also a day to pause, reflect and reaffirm our commitment to Black liberation and racial justice. At WA-BLOC, we reflect on Juneteenth and the legacy of Black freedom fighters spanning many decades that have a profound significance and connection to our mission. We honor this legacy by continuing to create spaces where Black youth can thrive, learn their history, and build a world of deep and resounding justice, joy, and freedom while we challenge unjust, racist systems in our public schools.
Black people who are the descendants of enslaved peoples have not received economic reparations for centuries of unpaid labor. If you are a non-Black person who is receiving a paid holiday today, we encourage you to consider donating your wages to a Black-led organization, business, mutual aid group, educator, organizer, artist or persons as a form of economic justice.
You can also check out these celebrations happening across the South Seattle, compiled by the South Seattle Emerald here.
Here are some highlights and learnings we’ve curated for this month’s newsletter:
Introducing our 2024 Freedom Schools Team!
Blog Feature: 5-Ingredient Recipe for 5 Weeks of Freedom Schools
Estelita’s Library X WA-BLOC book drive update
Give Big Campaign Thank You!
Community and Educational Resources
Introducing our 2024 Freedom Schools Team!
Each summer, we hire and train college-aged young adults from our community to lead liberatory, culturally inclusive classrooms at Freedom Schools. Meet this summer's educators who will lead K-5th grade classrooms at Emerson Elementary!
We are ecstatic to have such an amazing group of young adults who are passionate about transformative education and revolutionary grassroots social action supporting our Freedom Schools program this year! We can’t wait to see all the ways they grow as individuals and nurture the leadership of our Freedom Schools scholars!
Hey Everyone!
It’s Hibo here, representing all the love and positive vibes! I just wanted to share a little bit about myself with y'all. I'm a proud Somali young mom, a passionate youth advocate, and a dedicated member of our community. From a young age, I've been all about spreading the importance of food justice, racial equality, self-love, and kindness. And let me tell you, working with all these amazing non-profit communities like RBAC, Americorp, the Somali Community Center, Rainier Beach Community, and the Vietnamese Community Center has been such a rewarding experience. I'm all about making a difference in our community and helping vulnerable youth reach their full potential. Oh, and I'm also a big advocate for trauma-informed practices. Together, we can make a real impact! Much love yo you all!
Hello! I'm Faith Richardson and I'm excited to be an educator for the Freedom Schools Summer Program. I am originally from Renton, but I go to school at the University of Massachusetts. I recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in English and Afro-American studies, and I'm currently pursuing a Master of Public Affairs. I'm excited to come home and empower the youth in my community!
A 5-Ingredient Recipe for 5 Weeks of Freedom Schools
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at WA-BLOC? What bits and pieces go into creating a Freedom Schools Summer? What makes our program strong, joyful, and all-around dope? Well you’re in luck–we’ve put together a Buzzfeed-inspired list-icle to lay out some of the most important components of our preparation. Read on!
INGREDIENT #1: Content, Curriculum, and our Brilliant Books
Our staff spends countless hours intentionally curating joyful, exciting, and academically enriching experiences for our scholars. Our summer program is centered around the tenets of critical literacy, meaning we are concerned with ideas around perspectives, positionality, and power. This means that our lessons are filled with opportunities for scholars to ask questions and to make meaning in a variety of different ways. We aim to expand the definition of literacy - we want for scholars to not only read books while at Freedom Schools (FS), but we want them to read their neighborhoods by going on a walk, learn from community leaders by listening to their stories, and expand their thinking by engaging in discussion with each other...Our curriculum is centered around affirming our scholars and their community so that they can build a strong foundation of who they are and where they come from so that they can feel empowered to make a difference, all done while improving and sustaining their literacy skills.
Freedom Schools campaign highlights:
We are feeling so grateful for each person who participated in our Give BIG Campaign! Your generosity helped raise $5,400 for this summer's generation of freedom scholars.
46 of you donated to our campaign and had your gift matched by the Seattle Rotary Service Foundation, doubling your impact and resulting in $5,400 raised!
One new monthly donor and four brand new donors joined the WA-BLOC community <3
Special shout out to our monthly donors who generously made an additional campaign gift, we see you going the extra mile (:
Missed your change to Give Big?
You can still DONATE or support this summer's program by purchasing school supplies!
Click and order directly from our wishlist or drop off donations at our office (5609 46th Ave S Unit B Seattle WA 98118).
Estelita's Library x WA-BLOC Book Drive for Freedom Schools Update!
Huge shout out to each of you who purchased books for scholars through our partnership with the one and only Estelita's Library. We are so grateful for you! Your generosity will put 30+ books in the hands of young scholars, ensuring the fun for learning lives on beyond the summer!
Partner Events & Resources
Apple Health Expansion to include immigrants, enrollment is limited to 13,000 Washingtonians! Learn more HERE
Trans Pride Seattle 2024: by Gender Justice League Friday, June 28, 2024 | 5 – 10 PM, Volunteer Park Amphitheater
Powerful Voices: Healing Justice Summit Saturday June 22nd, 2pm-6:30pm Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center | Get Free Youth Tix HERE
Restorative Justice 101 by Collective Justice: Friday, June 28th | 11am - 12:30 | Register: HERE
