DEI

Last week, Stanley Middle School shared with its community that racist speech was shouted by a group of approximately 10 to 12 students along the streets bordering the school. While painful to process, we need to use this moment to take pause and come together as a community in our commitment to being definitely and explicitly anti-racist in our actions. We need to support each other, stand up and be heard to ensure everyone should feel like they belong in our community, regardless of their sexual orientation, race, religion or ability.
Please join us in our work. Drop us an email and be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @acalanesdei.

Let’s celebrate Women’s History Month!

How did Ketanji Brown Jackson get to be the firstBlack woman nominated to the Supreme Court? It all started in high school, where she honed her skills on the debate team. “That was an experience that I can say without hesitation was the one activity that best prepared me for future success in law and in life,” Judge Jackson said.

Professor, computer engineer, and Forbes 30 under 30 recipient Dina Ayman recently received a Presidential Award for her DEI work. “Your diverse background is your superpower,” Ayman tells her students, as she explains that companies promoting an inclusive culture are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial goals.

Facts corner: Architectural wonder Hatshepsut Temple was commissioned by the Egyptianqueen who ruled as king in the 15th century. One of Egypt’s first female pharaohs, she ruled for over two decades and has recently been rediscovered by archeologists, after her successor, King Thutmose III, tried to erase her legacy.

Tuesday, Mar 1 from 6 to 8pm at St. Mary’s College. It’s not too late to catch the Black MentalHealth Series. Dr. Lynna McPhatter-Harris, Director of Student DEI at Acalanes Union High School District, and Dr. Carnetta Porter, Staff Therapist at Saint Mary’s Counseling and Psychological Services talk about how Black lives matter at a predominantly white institution. Join in person or via Zoom, must pre-register at link above.

As part of their More Than a Month celebration, San Francisco Public Library is hosting free film screenings and literary events from now through the month of March, including Black inventors and Silicon Valley’s Black innovators.

Facts corner: Did you know there was a Black Film Archive? Created last year by Maya S. Cade, it’s a living register of Black films from 1915 to 1979 that has been called “the definitive history of Black cinema.” This month the site highlights films from the 1920s through the 1970s.

We’re about Black History all month long!

Journalist and author Michele Norris started TheRace Card Project in 2010, inviting people to write down their thoughts about race in only 6 words. So far, more than 500,000 personal narratives have been collected worldwide. Many of these essays contain feelings and difficult truths rarely expressed publicly. In 2013, the Race Card Project was awarded the prestigious Peabody Award. What would you write?

Always wanted to try a Master Class? Now’s your chance! All month, the online educator is offering a free three-part class, Black History, Freedom & Black Love. Master Class has also teamed up with Amazon and IMDb TV to ensure the series is widely available. Hosts include distinguished author Cornel West and Angela Davis, Professor Emerita at UCSC.

How much do you know about Black culture? Do you like Blues, Hip-hop, Soul, or Funk? Test your knowledge about iconic moments in Black music history by taking this quiz.

Facts corner: In Canada, this year’s theme for Black History Month is “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day,” recognizing the daily contributions that Black Canadians make to Canada. One such achievement was the 2022 Olympic gold medal won by Jordan Pierre–Gilles in the 5000 men’s speed skating relay.

It’s Black History Month and the 2022 Winter Olympics! Let’s celebrate the twelve trailblazingBlack athletes who have made history at the Olympics over the years. From speed skating to skiing, these outstanding athletes have earned many firsts.

Riveted: The History of Jeans follows America’s past, “from the iconic garment’s roots in slavery to the Wild West, youth culture, hippies, high fashion and hip-hop.” Watch it on KQED this month!

Interested in theater and the story of Frederick Douglass? The Marsh will send you a free one-hour, two-act play starring actor Darryl Van Leer, who portrays events of Douglass’s life with the notorious slave master Edward Covey, as well as his thrilling and suspenseful train ride to freedom.

Facts corner: African American lawyer Pauli Murray applied to be a Supreme Court justice in 1971, under President Nixon. Although she was denied, Justice Thurgood Marshall used a summary Murray wrote on racism and state law as the foundation of the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education.

Wednesday, Feb 9 at 6pm in the Library. Join us to celebrate Black History Month! Jason Gant will be speaking on Empowering Ourselves to be in Community.

Did you know Oakland native Daveed Diggs, who won a Grammy and a Tony for his role in Hamilton is also the co-creator of Blindspotting? The series, which takes place in the Bay Area, was picked up for a second season.

Up for an inspiring and heart-warming story (and who isn’t these days)? Check out the McBride Sisters, who discovered each other along with their love of wine-making. Their affordable wines have turned their business into the largest Black–owned wine company in the U.S.

Facts corner- Why February? The Association for the Study of African American Life and History sponsored a national Negro History week in 1926, choosing the second week ofFebruary to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In the 1960’s its name was updated, and every American president since 1976 has designated February as Black History Month.

Congratulations to Amy Schneider! An Oakland resident, Amy is breaking barriers for women and trans people by becoming the first woman- and one of only four people ever- to win over a million dollars on Jeopardy!

Facts corner: Did you know that more than 1.5 billion people around the world celebrate Chinese New Year (a.k.a. Lunar New Year) on February 1? To wish someone a happy new year in Cantonese, you can say “Gong hei fat choy.” In Mandarin, the same greeting is “gong xi fa cai”(pronounced gong she fa tsai). Try it!

Tuesday, Aug 18 from 6:30-8:30pm Forum on Race
We are proud to feature Dr. Lori Watson, a Racial Equity and Social Justice Consultant who is partnering with the Acalanes School District on these issues. We hope you’ll take part in this virtual discussion and learn about the vision, mission and goals of the DEI committee while participating in Q&A. Advance registration required.

Tuesday, September 22 at 6:30pm Teacher-moderated Book Club: How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
The book, a NYTimes Bestseller, brings a “groundbreaking” approach to understanding and uprooting racism and inequality in our society — and in ourselves. Copies are available at Orinda Books, and a portion of each sale will be donated to the Center for Antiracism Research. Stay tuned for registration and participation details.

Check back with us again next week as we launch a 21-week challenge to engage each other on racial equity and bias with various podcasts, videos and articles. 

Be sure to join us for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Forum on Race Tuesday, Aug 18 at 6:30pm. Visit the DEI section for details. Be sure to check back each week for more Parent Education events coming soon.