It's Been a Busy Month!

Check out The Future is US presentations for the 2021 YMM Virtual Conference!

Juneteenth Legacy Project: Art in Action

Our Juneteenth Legacy Art and Action presentation shared the history and significance of Juneteenth, the role it plays in Galveston's identity and culture, and how this story is living on through our community in art, action, education, and advocacy. Sam Collins and Sue Johnson gave the history and origins of the Juneteenth Legacy Project, while Torrina Harris coordinated the event.

The team recommends you read

• Island of Color by Izola Ethel Fedford Collins

• The Story Behind Galveston’s New Juneteenth Mural

• Guest commentary: Join us in June to honor 'Four Galveston Women'

• Honoring Juneteenth Through Art in Galveston

Kindergarten Readiness and Black Youth in Galveston Island

The success of students in the education system is highly influenced by early childhood factors. The most prominent factor that plays a role in the success of students in the first few years of their life is kindergarten readiness. Kindergarten readiness refers to the knowledge that a child obtains both in the home and in early child hood centers that prepares them for success in kindergarten and furthermore in the education system. In 2019, only 13% of black students were determined to be kindergarten ready at GISD.

Check out our presentation to:

1. Identify the social determinants of health that contribute to low pre-k and kindergarten readiness rates in Black students

2. Evaluate the relationship between kindergarten readiness and student removal from the classroom

3. Discuss how kindergarten readiness is evaluated in GISD and what multi-faceted approaches can be utilized to improving kindergarten readiness rates in Black students

Relational Advocacy: Using Relationships to Dismantle the School to Prison Pipeline

"There can be no real change without deep, authentic relationships." How do you tear down oppressive systems, raise communities out of poverty, and solidify real, lifelong change? It starts with relationships. Sounds easy right? The reality is that relationships are complex, heartbreaking, messy, beautiful and most of all key to creating long lasting change. Come and hear from the students and coordinators on The Future Is Us Team on how we use relationships to empower students to build up their community and dismantle the school to prison pipeline. You'll hear real life stories from student leaders, learn practical skills on building lasting relationships, learn about the school to prison pipeline, and be encouraged and inspired in the fight for justice.

American Public Health Association 2021 Annual Meeting and Expo

Policy Task Force Lead, Bianca Obinyan and Co-Coordinator Shanice Blair, CMHC, presented, "Dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline in Galveston Independent School District" at APHA's conference October 25th for the Youth Roundtable: Youth-Driven and Youth-Centered Community-Based Participatory Research.

Check out the presentation here!