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The Future is US exists to fight for Galveston youth through community voice so future generations can meet their full potential.
TFIU NEWS!
Public Comment Workshop
Our Policy Task Force Lead, Torrina Harris hosted our first workshop to empower us in being involved in advocacy through public comment! Torrina taught us what public comments are, their purpose, how to make one, where to make one, and how to stay informed about your local government meetings and agendas!
If you missed out on our 4/17/23 workshop, don't worry, you can watch it here at our TFIU Youtube AND we'll be hosting another workshop May 29th as we discuss upcoming Galveston policy issues.
La Izquierda Festival
We had a BLAST at La Izquierda Festival! We shared about who we are and introduced Marching Thunder!
COMMUNITY SHOUT OUTS!
Our partners are doing amazing things in the community, we had to share what they got into this month!
The Rosenberg Library not only provides free books to library holders, but also computers, mobile Wi-Fi devices, and beach toys! The Library too cares about African American history in working with Nia Cultural Center and Sam Collins III, president of the Juneteenth Legacy Project, to bring the Blank Slate Monument to Galveston until July 5th. Be sure to check out this powerful and interactive monument at Mary Moody-Northern Plaza near Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy Ave.
Galveston Independent School District's Family & Community Engagement (FACE) were awarded a grant to put in a campus school pantry! Access to nutritious food is a challenge for many of our young scholars in Galveston and this pantry is a positive and much needed solution.
Galveston's Own Farmer's Market's Young Gardeners Program sold their vegetables at the Sunday Market! Students were able to see how their hard work paid off (literally) making around $400 in sales their 1st Sunday! About 100lbs of vegetables are harvested each week on the Young Gardeners Program campuses with the focus of the program being to bring fresh produce and gardening skills to students.
Thanks to a partnership between the City of Galveston's Families Children, and Youth Board, Nia Cultural Center, Better Parks for Galveston, and United Way of Galveston, Galveston will be a city where every infant born is born learning. These powerhouses worked together to install Galveston's 1st Born Learning Trail at Adoue Park, 710 12th street in Galveston. Send a selfie on the Born Learning Trail to lwhite@uwgalv.org before May 15th to be eligible to win a gift card for $100 and other prizes! Find out if your Baby Smart and take United Way's Baby Smart Quiz. This quick and anonomyous quiz is for anyone who has babies, plans to have babies, cares for other peoples' babies, is an aunt or uncle to babies, basically anyone who knows or may know someone who is aged 0-6
We know flooding is a problem in Galveston, but how bad is it? Design Team Member and Fanfare! Lutheran Music Academy Executive Director June Collins, was interviewed by NPR for their Consider This episode about the impact rising sea levels from melting ice in Antarctica are having on Galveston. June's great aunt, Annie Smizer McCullough, shares her story experiencing the 1900 Storm as well from a past recording. According to the report, in the last 100 years, the sea level has risen more than 2 feet in Galveston. Check out the report here, NPR Consider This.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
The Educational History Timeline, Pt. 1!
Policy Task Force May 29 Public Comment Workshop
The Future is US (TFIU) Policy Task Force (PTF) is hosting its monthly Public Comment Workshop -- free, online, and open to the public. This event was created to inform our community about what public comment is, how it works, how to sign up to make public comment, tips for making an impactful public comment, and a Q&A.
To submit questions and receive workshop materials, RSVP for this event at https://tinyurl.com/TFIUworkshopMay29
Why is Reading Important?
Support Marching Thunder
Support Marching Thunder
The organizers of La Izquierda Fest saw the extremely talented 1st place winners, Marching Thunder at our February Black History Talent Show and they are now going to be performing May 7th at the festival!
Cheer on Marching Thunder and check out the other talented artists May 5-7th for this fun beachfront concert! Use TFIU for 20% off at check out as a The Future is US supporter!
Give US a Follow!
Burnet Elementary Needs Your Help
Burnet Elementary Needs Your Help
Burnet Elementary students need us! Mr. Ronald Caraway wiht Communities in Schools is collecting toiletries for Burnet students. Mr. Caraway has shared that Burnet students are in need of:
Loofahs
Shower caps
Toothbrushes
Mouth wash
Deodorant
Lotions
Wet wipes
Donations can be dropped off/sent to Burnet Elementary addressed to Ronald Caraway at Communities in Schools.
88th Texas Legislative Session
88th Texas Legislative Session
Staying informed about what is happening in the Legislature is a key step to advocacy.
Check out what bills related to educational equity are being moved through the legislative process now.
Track the 88th Texas Legislature Education Bills
Track the 88th Texas Legislature Education Bills
What We're Reading & Listening To...
What We're Reading & Listening To...
Check out what members of The Future is US are reading and listening to!
Join US!
Join Our Parent Advisory Council
Join Our Parent Advisory Council
Led by parent Clara Miller, our Parent Advisory Council meets Monday nights
Join Our Policy Task Force
Join Our Policy Task Force
Who is the Policy Task Force?
The Policy Task Force (PTF) is an arm of The Future is US initiative based in Galveston, TX comprised of students, parents, and other community stakeholders and advocates
What is it designed to do?
The PTF is designed to facilitate policy change within the areas of social determinants of health pertaining to Arts & Cultural Expression, Social Networks & Trust, and Norms & Culture through community voices and the redistribution of decision-making to the communities most affected by the decisions being made.
How?
Educating, organizing, and mobilizing students, parents, and community members to advocate for policy change and increase public awareness of current policies pertaining to school discipline, Arts & Cultural Expression, Social Networks & Trust, and Norms & Culture.
Provide free, accessible educational content and opportunities on what policy is; how policy affects us; the relationship between data and policy; policy analysis; stages of policy making; how to advocate for policy change; advocacy through art; stages of policy change; rhetoric and composition; writing for justice; and civil discourse.
Educating about and facilitating access to existing policies connected to school discipline; Arts & Cultural Expression; Social Networks & Trust; and Norms & Culture
Facilitating opportunities for advocacy and actionable, measurable works to achieve institutional and structural policy changes that promote positive health outcomes for all youth and families in Galveston.
Creating public documents including policy briefs, policy recommendations, and policy reviews.
Education and capacity building around methods of policy advocacy and raising public awareness
Supporting financial and structural sustainability of TFIU
Become a TFIU Advocate
Become a TFIU Advocate
We are community led and driven and need YOU to make community change in Galveston!
There are multiple ways you can get involved and work directly with US in making Galveston a community for ALL.
How did America Invent Race?
How did America Invent Race?
The white “race” was invented by rich Virginians in 1676 in the aftermath of a populous rebellion of impoverished, indentured, and enslaved Africans and Europeans now known as Bacon’s Rebellion.
LAST Grub n Grab at Central Middle School this school year!
LAST Grub n Grab at Central Middle School this school year!
The Future is US, Central PTO, and Galveston's Own Farmer's Market's Real Food Project have had a blast this semester providing healthy and free snacks to Central Middle School students the 2nd Thursday of every month!
Thursday, May 11th will be our last Grub n Grab of the school year, so come out and support as we wish the scholars farewell for the summer!
Want to get in on the fun? Join US and sign up here to volunteer in baking goods, purchasing snacks, or helping us distribute them to the hungry students!
FROM OUR PARTNERS!
Freedom School with Nia Cultural Center
FREE Sunrise and Sunset Beach Yoga!
FREE sunrise and sunset yoga classes in Galveston on East Beach throughout the month of May from the Galveston County Community Coalition!
NO registration required!
Paid Internship with the Young Gardeners Program
Big Brothers, Big Sisters Needs Mentors!
From BBBS:
We offer a variety of mentor opportunities. Click below for additional information.
School-based mentorship: Click here for more information.
Community-based mentorship: Click here for more information.
Each match is supported by a dedicated Match Support Specialist who is always there to provide resources and support specific to the Little’s age. With a Big in their life, Littles in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program are empowered to ignite their potential as they grow in their self-esteem, earn better grades, and develop a lifelong friendship with their Big.
Juneteenth Is Just Around the Corner
Hooked On Reading
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!
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
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
AFRICOM Watch Bulletin #45
AFRICOM Watch Bulletin #45
From: Black Alliance for Peace, Haiti/Americas Team
NO MORE FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN HAITI:
The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the Core Group Do Not Represent Haitian People!
APRIL 26, 2023—Today, the United Nations Security Council is holding consultations on the future of Haiti. No Haitian individuals or organizations will be present at the meeting. Instead, Haiti will be represented by its occupying entities: The Core Group and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), the mandate of which is set to expire on July 23.
The Haiti/Americas Team of the Black Alliance for Peace (BAP) and BAP member organization in Haiti, MOLEGHAF (Mouvement National pour la Liberté et L’égalité des Haïtiens pour la Fraternité or National Movement for Liberty and Equality of Haitians for Fraternity), denounce the Core Group’s and BINUH’s continued occupation of Haiti as well as their ongoing actions to undermine Haiti’s democracy and sovereignty.
Over the past year, we have witnessed massive popular protests that have been part of a broader struggle for a Haiti free from suffocating foreign interference. That includes manufactured “gang violence” and the illegitimate government installed by the United States and the Core Group. Yet, those speaking on behalf of Haiti refuse to recognize the core demands of the people for democracy, sovereignty and a just life.
BINUH and the Core Group do not represent Haitian people. Haitian people consider these entities occupation forces. BAP and MOLEGHAF have consistently demanded the Core Group and the so-called “International Community” acknowledge and atone for their role in the continuing deterioration of the situation in Haiti today.
As we have continually stated, the “crisis” in Haiti is a crisis of imperialism, a crisis initiated in 2004 by the United States, France and Canada, and consecrated by the United Nations. No decision about Haiti should be made by those who not only do not represent the people, but have also consistently harmed them.
Once again, we demand the disbanding of the Core Group, the removal of the BINUH office from Haiti, respect for the sovereign rights of the Haitian people, and NO MORE FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN HAITI!
Photo: Mass protest on February 28, 2021, demanding now-assassinated President Jovenel Moïse’s departure. (Reginald Louissaint Jr./AFP/Getty Images)
INSIDE TFIU!
Black to the Future! (Black History Lessons)
Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome
The above is a snippet of Dr. Degruy discussing the origin of gynecology from a doctor named James Marion Sims. A gut-wrenching eye opener on how gynecology first came to be. Dr. Degruy is the author of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome.
TFIU School Board Watch Doc!
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!
TFIU Co-coordinators' Research Announcement!
Blair-Warren Research Project
Research and Study Announcement
Title: Engaging in advocacy and activism to positively increase mental health
The goal of this research is to increase the awareness and research into the efficacy of promoting actions and/or counter-actions against an oppressive state or oppressive state institutions in order to positively increase the mental health of actor/counter-actor. In order for this to happen, we analyze historical and contemporary first-hand accounts, third-party accounts, as well as contemporary research and interviews. The results of this research will provide an effective prescriptive, and ultimately, a pathway to alleviating many pathologies that affect BIPOC populations.
The literature review and results of this research will show that based on unique and situational context, counter-actors can find a way to counter the pathologies of living under oppressive conditions. Colonialism and its mental health effects, through its oppressive tactics and practices vary in every situation. Oppressed peoples in each of those situations determine their ideal method(s) to rid themselves of colonialism. Building off the Cycle of Liberation, we flattened it into two levels: intrapersonal and interpersonal. Subsequently, we want to add two additional levels to address higher intensity actions/counter-actions: insurgency and revolution.
Suggested uses for this research include mental health professionals, especially those whose work involves or focuses on BIPOC populations, mental health researchers, and advocates and activists. This research will lead to better mental health interventions and practices to address the mental health needs of the most vulnerable populations
Shanice Blair L.P.C.A.
Jonathan Warren, J.D.
In Memoriam
Julenne Andrisee Faith Brown
October 25, 1985 - August 29, 2021
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