Vol. 16
January 2023
The Future is US exists to fight for Galveston youth through community voice so future generations can meet their full potential.
TFIU NEWS!
TFIU Stars Received Village Keeper Awards!
TFIU community engagement lead, Phylicia French, and TFIU co-coordinator, Shanice Blair, both received Village Keepers Awards during Nia Cultural Center's Kwaanza celebration!
Congrats to both as they both deserve the recognition for all the work they do to help the community!
Soul Food Sessions #4: Youth Open Mic Night!
The Future is Us had their 4th Soul Food Session on December 2nd and it was another success! The community was able to express themselves and share their stories, in a safe space that was created. The food was provided by Mr. C's of Galveston College, where the event was held. Also, there were prizes for winners in a series raffles throughout the event.
The planning for this event was done by The Future is Us' Youth Advisory Council and was their 1st event to plan since last year’s Halloween event at Wright Cuney Park. The event made drastic improvements with their intentional and direct messaging about mental health and allowing youth and adults to speak about their trauma and what mental health means to them.
The performances ranged from poetry about adolescents and songs that talked about heartaches and pain. The food at the event was a centerpiece, with selections like barbecue chicken, potato salad, mac n’ cheese, and more! There were also giveaways for everyone in attendance, like fidget spinners and books.
In conclusion, the event was great and it was a great time for everyone to be present! A safe environment was created for the people that wanted to be heard, and it inspired those that did not feel as comfortable to speak about something they were repressing. Everything felt right and it got people, who never met each other, speaking about topics about the youth and the future of Galveston. This event truly touched hearts and minds!
Black History Month Talent Show!
TFIU is honoring black culture, talent, and community for Black History Month in Galveston!
This is an Open Call to all dancers, singers, poets, musicians, actors, comedians, magicians, etc. to make this happen!
We invite you to submit your audition video for the Future is Us Black History Talent Show!
Be sure to register (scan the QR code below or go to https://forms.gle/ZLhvFcRDgQJDXMbi8), record your audition, upload as unlisted to YouTube.com and send the link to info@thefutureisus.co., or submit using the google form!
Audition tapes must be no more than 7 minutes and are due by January 20th.
Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
FROM OUR PARTNERS!
Rosenberg Library Art Contest!
CALLING ASPIRING ARTISTS: Your design could be on the next Rosenberg Library card!
Visit Rosenberg-Library.org/Librarycards and click the Art Contest button to find our template and submit art for the new cards.
• Contest open January 4 - February 17.
• Must be a resident of Galveston County.
• One child winner and one adult winner will be chosen.
• Winning design will be showcased at Rosenberg Day in March.
Staff will be available at the Library to help with the scanning of any traditional art you'd like to submit.
Have questions? Message/DM us (Rosenberg Library), call us, or visit us in person!
Hooked On Reading
Galveston's 61st Street Fishing Pier has a reading log for children 5-12!
Read 10 books and bring their completed log to the pier and receive a FREE child's admission and one adult/chaperone admission!
1000 Books Before Kindergarten!
Did you know that by reading and sharing stories with babies and young children not only helps their brain development, but strengthens your relationship with them? Research has found that reading and story telling:
Helps in developing children's brain development in concentration, focus, social skills and communication
Expands children's vocabulary! A 2019 study found that children that were regularly read to the 5years leading up to Kindergarten were exposed to 1.4 million more words.
A 2008 study found that children feel secure when read to and can support a solid parent-child relationship.
Sign up today for Rosenberg Library's Reading Challenge!
Nia Cultural Center's Harambee
Harambee means let's all pull together.
The way Harambee for Galveston's Youngest Citizens plans on pulling together is through our new program designed to assist families with Black Galveston's children ages 0 to 3 by paying parents, grandparents, and guardians $30/hour to enroll and participate in our community's children's brain development support classes. Participants then give feedback on their experience through shared decision making on how we can increase appeal and cultural relevance in these classes. Local data shows that Galveston's black children consistently experience disadvantages when it comes to health and education. Through this program we will pull together alongside our parents, guardians, and partners to bring better access for local resources.
For more information and to register, visit Harambee Interest Form.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
An Africa Anti-Imperialist Week of Actions Launches Today to Expose and Denounce Biden Administration’s U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.
Media Contact
communications@blackallianceforpeace.com
DECEMBER 12, 2022— In a direct response to the Biden administration’s “U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit''—taking place in Washington, D.C., December 13-15—the U.S Out of Africa Network, the organizational arm of the Black Alliance for Peace’s (BAP) campaign to shut down the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), has launched an anti-imperialist week of actions in Washington to raise public awareness about the cynical intentions of the summit.
BAP’s December 9 statement challenges in detail the Biden administration’s claim that the summit will “demonstrate the United States’ enduring commitment to Africa, and will underscore the importance of U.S.-Africa relations and increased cooperation on shared global priorities.” BAP pointed out the United States militarily occupies 53 of the 54 countries on the continent in one form or another, that it sustains a drone war in Somalia, and that it led the 2011 NATO destruction of Libya.
BAP’s actions throughout the week will include protests and rallies, starting on December 13 with a noon forum, “Africa Anti-Imperialist Summit: Voices from the Ground.” Then a press conference will be held at 2 p.m. on December 16. Both events mentioned will take place at the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) at 1301 Connecticut Avenue, 6th Floor, Washington, D.C.
While Biden administration officials play down their concern about the inroads of China and Russia into Africa, U.S. Out of Africa Network Coordinator Tunde Osazua says, “Challenging these inroads is a clear goal of the summit. On the heels of Human Rights Day they’re convening the summit to undermine the human rights of African people and want us to ignore the historical record of the U.S. in Africa.”
BAP is also calling out the Congressional Black Caucus for their ongoing support of U.S. oppressive, murderous policies in Africa. “These members sit quietly, in active dereliction of their duty, to safeguard the rights and interests of Black and oppressed people,” says Netfa Freeman, BAP Coordinating Committee member.
INSIDE TFIU!
Black to the Future! (Black History Lessons)
The Space Traders
TFIU School Board Watch Doc!
The Future is Us’ critical goal is to effectuate policy change in GISD, so that black students, and ultimately, all children receive a quality education. However, institutional power can be adversarial at times. Therefore, it is compulsory to us as parents, youth, and Galveston community members to hold our local institutions and Board of Trustees accountable.
Through a collaborative effort, TFIU created and is making available our The Future is US SCHOOL BOARD WATCH Document. With this self-explanatory document, any interested community member can attend or watch a school board meeting, and record detailed notes and minutes, as well as assess, in real time, the quality of content in the meeting.
Once completed, please e-mail the document to info@thefutureisus.co. We will compile the information so that we can become better equipped and more effective in our advocacy for positive change and creating better GISD schools.
Thank you all in advance for your support and dedication to making sure all of Galveston’s students get the best education possible!
Upcoming Board Meetings:
Check here for all GISD Board of Trustees meetings!
Check out the TFIU Toolkit!
More Upcoming Dates!
Next Steps!
Please stay informed and up to date by visiting the following links:
You're on your phone anyway...
Follow these accounts for continued education and exposure!
There are lots of ways you can make a difference in the community!
Take our Survey (QR Code below) and let us know what you think will make change in the school district.
Join the TFiU/NIA Book Club.
Become a TFiU Member!
Visit TFiU's Youtube.
Visit TFiU's Website
GISD School Board Connection
Find all GISD meeting notes and minutes, here!
View all of the GISD Board of Trustees meetings here!
In Memoriam
Julenne Andrisee Faith Brown
October 25, 1985 - August 29, 2021
