Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Many thanks to so many of you who helped us celebrate our third anniversary this Fall. As P.S. 314 enters our fourth year, we reflect more and more on our role as social change agents and on its many components.

Equity is a major component of social change. However, few understand how equity really works. What does it mean to achieve an equitable society? What journey must be taken to find our way there?

Tackling the issue of equity actually means examining power dynamics and understanding how they function. We create equity by providing opportunity, making it less challenging for people to get what they want and need: not just a roof over their heads, but a place to call home, not a basic skill set, but a solid education. Creating opportunity means not merely offering an entry-level job, but a way to help people provide for their families and keep them well. In a balanced society, many are more likely to succeed and thrive, then pave a way for others to follow. Without equity, only a few can succeed, and even less can look back. Looking back could mean losing the power and position they wield. In other words, making room at the table for me could mean losing your seat there.

I’m wondering how we add extra seats to our table or how we push back from the seats we occupy so that others have an opportunity to join. When we create a path for others to follow, there are more chances to share our vibrant stories. That means we make room for more filmmakers, more professors, more artists, more scientists, more leaders to step forward, fill voids, and add to the rich tapestry of our lives.

This season, we’re taking a look at equity and thinking about how we create those extra spaces for others. As you read on, you’ll see how our client, the Ms. Foundation for Women, is investing $25 million in women and girls of color in a strategic effort to create cultural and social equity. You will also read about Black Public Media and Michelle Materre, whose lifework creates equity in media and film. Finally, you’ll learn of the efforts of EmpowerK12 Executive Director Josh Boots to bring education equity to the forefront. His impactful work helps empower leaders, who, once they take their places at the table, will go on to make room for others.

I ask you to think about how you can help create a more equitable society. How can you be an agent for change? I encourage you to help make room at the table. The impression you make will be an indelible one.

 
Pi-Isis
P.S. 314 TURNS 3!
What a night!
Thank you so much for those who joined us to mark this very important milestone. Whether you are an official member of our collective - as a consultant or client – or an advocate who came to cheer us on, please know that your support inspires us and helps propel us forward.
WELCOME Michelle Materre!
We are pleased to welcome Michelle Materre, Assistant Professor of Media and Film Studies at The New School, to the P.S. 314 collective. In addition to being a member of The New School’s faculty since 2001, Professor Materre’s career in media and marketing has spanned three decades. In 1992, she cofounded KJM3 Entertainment Group, one of the first African American-owned film distribution companies, which directly managed the marketing and distribution of over 20 films by filmmakers of African descent, including the highly acclaimed Daughters of the Dust.

Launched nearly 25 years ago, Professor Materre’s heralded film series, “Creatively Speaking,” has distinguished itself as the leading film series to present independently produced media for and about women and people of color. Professor Materre actively fundraises for the program to support travel and lodging for emerging filmmakers. In addition to her university work, oversight of her film series and engagement in a number of media projects, she is a member of the board of directors of Women Make Movies.

The collective looks forward to working with Professor Materre as a media field expert, with a focus on community engagement and distribution.
WELCOME Bonnie Osinski!
Please join us in welcoming Bonnie Osinski to our team. A dedicated fundraising specialist, Ms. Osinski has worked with nonprofit organizations for over 40 years, on a national and international scale. Her expertise includes fundraising planning and management, general and major gift solicitation, and developing successful foundation, corporate and government grant proposals.

Ms. Osinki’s vast knowledge of the fundraising landscape can help nonprofits as they work to develop a new approach to fundraising or to create a targeted fundraising campaign. In her article , “A Fundraiser’s Dispatches from the Field, ” she offers strategic insight into the development world that can help nonprofits avoid critical missteps as they establish their fundraising plans. 
Congratulations to Black Public Media (BPM) on their recent publication of the "The Black Paper" and hosting its inaugural Black Media Story Summit as they explored the current realities of storytelling equity with colleagues in media, philanthropy, finance and social justice. The Black Paper not only celebrates its evolution over the past 40 years, but also documents what transpired during the convening of The Black Media Story Summit, held at Google’s New York offices in April.

We remain honored to partner with Black Public Media as it provides us multiple opportunities to serve - in producing the Black Paper as well as the strategic direction of this year's Summit. Our partnership is one rooted in the support of those whose vision, mission, work and activities elevate and broaden the telling of Black stories and Black storytellers.
We applaud the Ms. Foundation for Women for publicly launching its strategic plan that focuses on women and girls of color. The goal of the ambitious five-year plan is to invest $25 million for “resources and support for organizations led by and for women  of color.” We are inspired by their commitment to change and in partnership with them to build a plan that supports access and opportunity for all.

"An accurate 'herstory' tells us that women of color have been on the frontlines of nearly every movement in this country — from reproductive rights, immigrant rights, and civil rights, to economic justice, and criminal justice reform. .. We are a political force to be reckoned with, and in 2018 we delivered unprecedented electoral wins in Alabama, Georgia, and New York — yet we are sorely underrepresented in philanthropic investment, with only 2 percent of that spending going to women and girls of color. It's time that we champion and do all we can to ensure that women and girls of color are in power, at the tables of power, and are supported as movement leaders."
Teresa C. Younger, President

Brava to Elizabeth Streb and her new TED Talk that addresses the importance of facing risk. Ms. Streb’s lifelong fascination with flying is inspired in part by acting at the point “where the ground changes and moves out from under us.” Her talk examines how defying gravity can translate into embracing courage.
"Learning to fly means learning to land.. when you learn to fly fall and land together, what we learn is that people don’t want to just dream about flying they want to do it. After time, they begin to relish the impact of landing, and they become braver.”
-Elizabeth Streb 
Resident P.S. 314 Field Expert and Contributor, Sheila Strain Clark offers insight into creating equity in the classroom through the strategic use of data. Highlighting the successes of the nonprofit Empower K-12, Ms. Strain’s article, entitled " In Search of Equity " , addresses the issues surrounding achieving equity in education.

"The quest for greater equity in education is a tireless, but worthwhile, endeavor.  If we want all children to be college and career ready, we must view data from an equitable lens.  Sharing data, being open about our successes and failures, and being ready to tackle tough questions will promote the continuous improvement in our education system that our children need and deserve."
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