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Welcome to our KEPTA REJ Connections Page! Each month our REJ committee will provide our Kenmore Cub community with family read alouds, activities, short videos and resources to assist our community growth in racial literacy, cultural competency and equitable education. We hope these monthly resources will inspire courageous conversations about racial injustice, equity and youth activism in our homes. We are KENMORE–nurturing brave, inclusive, and empathetic children alongside one another!
Definition
The focus on healing and liberating educational futures is centering engagement that is active, fluid, and an ongoing process that is determined in self and community. The themes call on all of us to consider healing that fosters well-being, includes culture, and changes climate through praxis and community-based epistemologies and ontologies. When one practices self and community care, that is a form of healing, as well as a practice in self-determination.
At the same time, it is also important to recognize that systems changes have to materialize healing and should not rely on minoritized communities alone to create their own healing. This is where solidarity and mutual aid plays a role because anyone in an accomplice role can disrupt, interrogate, reimagine and work to create an anti-racist and anti-oppressive present and future.
-Melissa Riley, Assistant Director of Equity Pedagogy, Northshore School District
-Ayva Thomas, Assistant Director of Racial and Educational Justice
-Ranna Harb, Racial and Educational Justice Specialist
Family Resources
Suggested Children’s Activity Book
What We Believe: A Black Lives Matter Principles Activity Book, written by Laleña Garcia and illustrated by Caryn Davidson. Created by two teachers with more than thirty-five years of educational experience between them, the book presents the underlying ideas of Black Lives Matter in down-to-earth, child-friendly language, with writing prompts and artistic activities accompanying each principle. Supporting materials guide adults in talking about the movement with children and encourage kids to dream big and take action within their communities.
Adult Resources
Watch
YouTube (5 min)
The remarks of Donovan Livingston, Ed.M.’16, student speaker at HGSE’s 2016 Convocation exercises
Remarkable speech relating to the power of education and empowerment for students of color.
Listen
Podcast (34 min)
How Do I Talk to My Child About Racism? With Special Guest: Emmanuel Acho
Lisa and Reena are joined by guest Emmanuel Acho, former NFL linebacker, current FoxSports analyst, host of the YouTube hit “Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man,” and author of a book by the same name. Most recently, Emmanuel wrote the instant #1 New York Times Bestseller “Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Boy.” In a discussion both wide-ranging and deep, Emmanuel tackles how to talk with our kids about the n-word, what we can do to address systemic racism and prejudice, and what it really means for parents and their children to act as allies.
Read
Speaking Up Without Tearing Down | Learning for Justice
A veteran human rights educator explains the value of teaching students to call each other in rather than out. These techniques discussed in this article can be used inside the classroom as well as in social situations with children.
Community Resource
Community Pantry & Library at Mary’s Place
The KEPTA Community Free Little Pantry and Library has officially opened to the public. The colorful structures are at Mary’s Place across from Fire Station 51 in Kenmore. 18118 73rd Ave NE in Kenmore.
It is important to note that the KEPTA Community Read in Color Shared Library is an official ‘Read in Color’ library, which is an initiative to increase access to diverse books. We would love donations, but prefer to stock our library with books that provide perspectives on racism and social justice; celebrate BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized voices; and incorporate experiences from all identities for all readers. We also include Spanish books in our sharing library since many of our local residents speak Spanish at home.
Your voice matters! Join Us