Message from your Board Chair | | |
|
|
Happy Holidays NFJC Members,
As the end of the year draws near, I would like to send a heartfelt thank you to all of you for all the work that you have done in your communities this year.
2025 may be a challenging year as we navigate proposed policy changes and pushback from the work that we do. The NFJC network however, is a great platform for us to lean on one another and make sure we have the resources we need to better support and uplift each other as we serve our communities.
I hope together we can create more initiatives and ways to strengthen our work as we are stronger together. For now though, take time to refresh, recharge, rejuvenate and enjoy the holidays.
Wishing you a joyous holiday season!
Rene Petties-Jones
| |
Member News
This is your space to share news from your organization
| |
|
ALL MEMBER SHARING CALL RECAP
On November 13, 2024, we held our first All Member Affinity Call of FY25. This sharing call was a race-based healing space for all members to support each other in our work.
We hope those that were able to join found it helpful to spend time talking openly and honestly with each other as we all face unique, but yet similar struggles. For those who weren't able to join, please make every effort to join us the next time we gather, there's something very cathartic that happens in these spaces.
Our next all member sharing call will take place on March 12, 2025. More information on the topic will be shared as the date approaches.
| |
|
MASCARA XVI
On November 23, 2024, Garden State Equality held MASCARA XVI: Lessons in Light! A day of community wellness, shared grieving, healing, resilience, and education for for transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse people and their allies.
This event featured engaging panel discussions with advocates and activists, inspiring entertainment, and delicious food from local vendors. Attendees also participated in workshops designed to foster connection and empowerment.
| |
| |
|
|
60TH ANNIVERSARY HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
Just Communities of Arkansas will host their 60th Anniversary Humanitarian Awards Celebration on December 5, 2024. The Humanitarian Awards Celebration will honor three organizations that have demonstrated significant commitment to building inclusive communities within their organizations and communities.
| |
|
ADVOCACY ACADEMY
The Advocacy Academy youth of Community Tampa Bay participated in an HIV awareness and prevention workshop led by staff from Metro Inclusive Health. The youth helped pack over 500 Safer Sex Kits that included STI/HIV testing information and resources that will be distributed in their community.
| |
| |
|
|
CREATING INCLUSIVE WORKPLACES
The SHIFT Consulting team of The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio facilitated a Creating Inclusive Workplaces program for the Canton City Public Health Department.
Creating Inclusive Workplaces serves as an introduction to concepts of diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging in the workplace.
Participants learn how their unique identities shape their experiences and impact their day-to-day interactions with others. They also learn strategies for recognizing bias and receive tools that will aid them in addressing exclusionary behavior when it occurs.
| |
|
70TH ANNUAL HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, hosted their 70th Annual Humanitarian Awards on November 20, 2024. They honored two exceptional individuals: Peggy Zone Fisher, Past President & CEO of The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, and Kevin Clayton, Executive Vice President, Chief Impact & Equity Officer for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
| |
|
|
HEALING HARMS
CCEJ’s Healing Harms program traveled to Denver Colorado for The Gault Center’s 2024 Youth Defender Leadership Summit. Along with Los Angeles County’s Department of Youth Development (DYD), CCEJ presented on Los Angeles County’s innovative approach to youth justice.
DYD and CCEJ presented on the county-wide plan to transform the youth justice system into a care-first system of youth development through community-based youth diversion and restorative practices programming.
The workshop introduced public defenders across the country to LA’s youth diversion infrastructure as a model for other county to transition youth justice out of legal systems and into communities.
| |
| |
|
|
INCLUCITY
Inclusive Communities will be having their IncluCity Youth Leadership Camp, from December 6-9.
IncluCity is a transformative program designed to bring together up to 100 high school-aged youth from Nebraska, South Dakota, and western Iowa.
Structured as a weekend retreat, IncluCity offers students a safe and respectful environment where they can confront bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination. Here, participants examine their own biases and prejudices, discover strategies for dismantling stereotypes, build lasting cross-cultural relationships, learn conflict resolution skills, and become supportive allies for one another.
The camp embraces discussions around race, gender, faith, sexuality, and other important topics, fostering meaningful dialogue and growth.
| | |
|
|
THANKSGIVING GRATITUDE SERVICE
OneJax, held their Interfaith Thanksgiving Gratitude Service on November 21, 2024. The annual Thanksgiving service expressing gratitude from a variety of faith perspectives within the Jacksonville community.
| |
|
FIRST FRIDAY FORUM
On November 1 ,2024, Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities held their November First Friday Forum. During the discussion folks got to discuss important bills sitting in Michigan's legislature: Fair Chance Housing, Second Look, Vital Docs, Youth Defense, Sentencing Commission, Police Accountability.
| |
|
|
NEW FACILITATOR TRAINING
Diversity Korea has begun recruiting for their January 2025 Diversity Training Facilitator Training Course. Attendees will learn about privilege and oppression, social identity, normal and abnormal diversity.
The training process will be in two stages. Facilitators will learn about self-awareness of social identity, discrimination and oppression through games, activities and conversations. Through the training facilitators will gain tools to fight oppression in their communities.
| |
| |
|
|
CAN WE TALK?
Matthew Anderson from Mosaic Miami hosted a Can We Talk panel discussion after the King James performance at the GableStage on November 8, 2024.
King James is a play that tells the story of LeBron James' life over the span of twelve years (from LeBron's rookie season to an NBA championship). It brings together two unlikely friends in a bond forged by fandom.
The panelists spoke about friendship, resilience, and chasing hoop dreams! Former college basketball players Brandon Okpalobi, CEO of Dibia Athletic, and Michael John “MJ” Green, University of Miami Basketball Hall of Famer and Chief of Economic Development at the Downtown Development Authority, shared their journeys.
| |
WHERE ARE NFJC AFFILIATES LOCATED? | |
|
The NFJC is a network of organizations from across the country/world with years of experience, extensive knowledge, skills and expertise in the areas of human relations, social justice, community-building, and inter-group understanding. Founded in 2006, the National Federation for Just Communities was created by former NCCJ regional offices to sustain and advance our distinctive and award-winning work.
Check out the map below to see where our affiliates are located.
| | | | |
