March Newsletter
In this newsletter you will find:
You’re Invited! Oral History Event and Exhibition April 26th at El Centro de la Raza!
Protecting In-School Supports for Queer and Trans Youth
Call to Action
Literature that Liberates
Community Events and Resources
You are Invited: Circle up, Listen to the Moment!
Over the past several years, oral historians Sierra Parsons (WA-BLOC) and Ricky Reyes have been collecting the oral histories of Black Restorative Justice Practitioners and Circle Keepers in South Seattle… and the time has come to share this beautiful and essential work with our community!
What is Oral History?
Oral history is the practice of collecting and preserving firsthand accounts from people who have lived through significant events. Unlike textbooks or official records, oral histories center personal experiences, ensuring that the voices of historically marginalized communities are heard and remembered.
The Circle Up! Listen to the Moment exhibition features oral histories from Black Restorative Justice practitioners and Circle-keepers in Seattle—leaders who have fought to create healing-centered schools.
Why is oral history important? It allows us to learn directly from those who lived it, ensuring that their knowledge shapes the future.
Join us on April 26 at El Centro de La Raza from 5-7 PM for a special community gathering and preview of this exhibition! Immerse yourself in powerful oral histories, engage our physical installation and activities, enjoy zine art and photography by Eboni Wyatt, and other artifacts. Listen, reflect, and learn about the movements that have helped to reshape discipline practices in Seattle Public Schools.
This event is FREE to the public and will feature interactive installations, light food and refreshments.
RSVP HERE!
Protect In-School Supports for Queer and Trans Youth
Last week, dozens of students, families, and educators showed OUT in queer and trans pride colors to speak out for funding the LGBTQ+ project Program Coordinator position in SPS. This position is at threat to be eliminated, and queer and trans community in Seattle Public Schools is not having it.
The LGBTQ+ project Program position has been historically funded by the Center for Disease Control’s “What Works in Schools Grant”. The current administration has slashed this funding as part of recent budget cuts led by Elon Musk’s illegitimate “Department of Government Efficiency.” These budget cuts include the slashing of USAID (United States Agency for International Development), EPA (Environment Protection Agency), and now Center for Disease Control (CDC) funding. These departments have held longtime projects providing life-sustaining services for people worldwide and for the Earth. In yet another move threatening the safety and well-being of queer and trans people under this regime, CDC cuts have put the LGBTQ+ Project program Coordinator position at risk.
The LGBTQ+ Project Program Coordinator is the ONLY position in SPS dedicated to supporting queer and trans youth and families.
Folks leading this position:
train up staff district-wide in how to support LGBTQ+ students,
support Gay-Straight Alliance and Rainbow clubs,
advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ students and families,
organize beautiful, life-affirming community events, and much more
These are supports we NEED to feel safe, supported, and welcomed in the Seattle Public school system..
Read More
Call to Action!
We invite you to speak out with us and call for both local and statewide LGBTQ+ protections in public schools.
You can start by calling for the Seattle Public Schools’ Board to stick to their values, and find alternative funding for the LGBTQ+ Project Program Coordinator position. They opened the school board meeting saying, “As we navigate the constantly changing landscape, we are steadfast in our values and will continue to ensure that every student in Seattle Public Schools receives a high quality education with the supports that they need to thrive,” - specifically naming supporting students of all gender identities, sexual orientations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and immigration statuses as a priority. We invite you to invite the accountability of the school board to their values, and ensure this position remains funded.
You’re welcome to take inspiration from our letter to the school board and write your own to send to your district representative, or sign up to speak at the next school board meeting.
District Representative info: HERE
School Board Meeting Testimony sign-up (must sign up 8am sharp the Monday before the meeting, next board meeting is April 23, 2025 at 4:15pm):
We also wrote a Sign-on letter, add your name and send it to your friends & family!
Next, you can move on up to state-level protections and urge your senator to vote YES on HB1296. This bill:
Protects student rights to free speech and non-discrimination
Protects educators from their job status being threatened if they support student rights
Mandates policies around gender-inclusive schools and protections for trans students
And promotes the use of culturally responsive instructional materials
HB1296 is currently moving through the senate, you can follow it’s path here and sign up for testimony here.
Now is the time to show up. No matter what happens at the federal level, or even at the state level, we got each other. I’m honored to fight alongside all my fellow queer and trans educators and students. I am deeply grateful for all of those fighting alongside us. Here’s to our commitment to each other, to our hope, and to our survival. - Mari Ramirez
Literature that Liberates
Curious to know what our Freedom Schools scholars read over the summer? The Freedom Schools team carefully selects books that do two things: one, bring our scholars’ languages, cultures, histories, and voices into their classrooms; and two, introduce scholars to diverse stories that reflect different perspectives and experiences. The federal government may seek to erase diverse stories and curricula from public schools, but we stand firm in the stories we read and why we read them. In the words of Septima Clark, “Literacy is Liberation.”
In the months leading up to the summer we will share a few examples of texts that come from our own book lists! This month we are highlighting stories about Ramadan, about powerful women and girls, and about myth busting gender stereotypes.
'There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you until the day you begin to share your stories.'
— Jacqueline Woodson, The Day You Begin
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson & Rafael Lopez
There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.
This book reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.
(This book is also available in Spanish, as El Día En Que Descubres Quién Eres!)
Read more, or purchase this book here!
Aliya's Secret: A Story of Ramadan by Farida Zaman
Ramadan is coming, and as Abba and Ammi prepare for their month-long fast, Aliya hugs a secret to her chest: she's going to fast too! Ammi says she's still too young to fast, but Aliya is determined. At school, she refuses her snack, her lunch--even the cupcakes Sanjay's mom drops off for his birthday. But when she gets home, she can't resist Ammi's sweet, syrupy baklava. Before Aliya can stop herself, she reaches out and takes a big bite.
Aliya is disappointed in herself, but Ammi explains that there are many other ways to celebrate Ramadan besides fasting, like performing acts of kindness! Together, Aliya and her parents spend the month preparing and delivering meals to people in need.
Read more, or purchase this book here!
Julian At The Wedding by Jessica Love
Julián and his abuela are going to a wedding. Better yet, Julián is in the wedding. Weddings have flowers and kissing and dancing and cake. And this wedding also has a new friend named Marisol. It’s not long before Julián and Marisol set off for some magic and mischief of their own, and when things take an unexpected turn, the pair learns that everything is easier with a good friend by your side.
Read more, or purchase this book here!
They Call Me Mix/Me Llaman Maestre by Lourdes Rivas, Breena Nuñez
They Call Me Mix is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Children's book geared towards Kinder-2nd grade age students about what it means to be a transgender person of color.
The story starts with Lourdes recalling childhood and noticing how gendered everything about existence is since before we're even born.
Lourdes points out how people create categories to make life easier but when it comes to people, gender categories can make life so difficult - restrooms, clothing stores, toy stores, sports teams, fitting rooms.
They have a hard time even imagining where they'll ever fit in. Then they find queer and trans community where they feel empowered to reinvent language that works for them and we see them doing fun everyday things with friends like play games, watch movies, build bonfires, etc. It ends with the message that people who identify as non binary look, dress, and sound all kinds of different ways and that gender is something everyone can decide for themselves at any moment in time.
Community Events & Resources
Seattle Public Schools seeking enrichment programming partners!
Seattle Public Schools is seeking community-based organizations (CBOs) to provide summer learning enrichment programming to elementary aged youth from July 8 - August 1st, 2025. Application here.
Plate of Nations! March 21st - April 6th 2025
Plate of Nations, the signature event of the MLK Business Association, was designed to collectively promote independently-owned restaurants in the MLK community. Immigrants from around the world have settled in the Rainier Valley and started businesses that provide cultural favorites for ethnic communities looking for a taste of home.
Those restaurant owners are excited to welcome other customers to join in their traditions. Join us during a special two-week event to SUPPORT LOCAL restaurants in South Seattle. This year features over 70 independently-owned restaurants in over 7 neighborhoods including South Park!
See all participating restaurants HERE!
Yehawshow | Friday Open House & volunteer days
Every Friday, March through October | 10 AM to 2 PM | 9674 51st Ave S
Lend a hand with land projects, utilize our space as a co-working area, unwind through creative activities, and so much more.
Questions at: info@yehawshow.com!
More info HERE
Rent Smart Webinars | Breaking a Lease | Solid Ground WA
March 26th | 5PM - 6:45 PM
If you're a renter in WA state, knowing your rights can keep you from losing your housing. Join us for an upcoming Rent Smart webinar!
See full calendar webinar schedule & topics HERE
Also available in SPANISH HERE.
Sign up for free HERE
Solid Ground's Annual Gala: Building Pathways Beyond Poverty
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 | 5:30pm | Summit Building | Seattle Convention Center
For over 50 years, Solid Ground has built pathways beyond poverty by helping our neighbors find stability, safety, and wellbeing. Please join us as we gather over dinner, drinks, and music as we celebrate the incredible people that make this life-changing work possible, strengthen the vital support systems people need, and enjoy a fun evening with community!
Early Bird tickets are available until April 15: Purchase HERE
