National Disability Institute’s Post

As we celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth this February, we at CCH know that it's essential to reflect not only on the achievements and resilience of Black Americans throughout history, but also on the persistent challenges they face today. We know that due to structures of systemic racism, homelessness disproportionately affects Black Americans. In our city, Black Chicagoans make up more than half (53%) of the total population experiencing homelessness. Nationwide, Black Americans make up roughly 13% of the general population, but they account for 39% of people experiencing homelessness and more than 50% of families with children experiencing homelessness. To CCH, honoring Black communities means working towards a future where everyone has access to secure and stable housing, because housing is a human right. Learn more about homelessness in Chicago here: https://bit.ly/3NvfPg7 #HousingIsAHumanRight #EndHomelessness #advocacy

Celebrating 50 years of services, Children's Services of Roxbury, Inc. (CSR) is one of Massachusetts' largest Black-run nonprofit organizations. Its leadership, staff, and board members are predominantly Black, which is an important representation of black excellence and empowerment in the Greater Boston community. By providing essential services and support to children and families, particularly those from underserved communities, CSR is actively addressing the systemic disparities and challenges. This month, CSR will host the ROXTalks series of community conversations on "Forging One Boston" to transform the social and economic health of communities of color across the Commonwealth and break the cycle of systemic racism for future generations. During this episode, CSR's President & CEO, Sandra McCroom, will lead the conversation with Michael Curry, Esq. and Kevin M. Simon, MD, MPH in a discussion on equitable access to behavioral health care and workforce opportunities for communities of color; breaking through racial stigmas of mental health diagnosis and its generational impact; and current state legislation to advance health equity (Health Equity Compact).  Learn more at www.csrox.org. #CSR50Years #ChildrenServicesofRoxbury #RoxburyPride #CommunityEngagement #ChildAdvocacy #equitablehealthcare #healthequity #healthequitynow #mentalwellnessforall #accessiblehealthcare #mentalhealthmatters #familyhealthcare #childrenandfamilyservices #familymatters #blacklivesmatter #racialequity #racialstigmas

Check out this article from the Joint Center for Housing Studies and learn about how the mission, values and strategies of community-based organizations in historically Black communities were shaped in response to redlining and other institutional discrimination in housing. https://lnkd.in/gsna7GCM

It was great to connect with such passionate professionals at the Broward Children's Strategic Plan Committee Chairs' Retreat! Our team enjoyed learning more about the organization and the monumental work being done in Broward County, FL, to enhance the lives of children and their families. Thank you to the Children's Services Council of Broward County for hosting such an inspiring and motivational event. Pictured: Shantigra Williams, LMHC, IMH-E®️, Silvia Gil, and other amazing professionals! Alternative Text: The heading of the image can be found within a light green rectangle toward the bottom right-hand section of the image. This section of black text reads, "Broward Children's Strategic Plan (BCSP) Committee Chairs' Retreat". It is underlined by a thin black line which is followed by the black NCS logo. Lastly, the remaining sections of the image show four pictures from the event. . . . . #NeuroConsultingSolutions #NCS #neurodiverse #neurodivergent #neurodiversity #neurodiversidad #neurodivergence #ally #supporter #advocate #awareness #raiseawareness #acceptance #promoteacceptance #neurodiversityawareness #neurodiversityacceptance #inclusive #inclusion #inclisivity #diverse #accessible #accessibility #neuroinclusive #workingtogether #inclusivecommunity #CSC #ChildrensServicesCouncil

Throughout our 42-year history, Penn-Mar has been committed to the inclusion and equity for anyone with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD). In a recent exclusive Q&A with the The Baltimore Banner, Penn-Mar CEO Gregory Miller discusses how our mission continues today, the strides that have been made, and the challenges still being encountered. Click below to read the in-depth interview and see how we're creating new ways to Live Courageously! #humanservices #disabilitysupport #nonprofitCEO #disabilitypride #disabilityemployment #disabilityadvocate #nonprofitleadership

"The plutocrats have always known that #solidarity is the answer, that the sum of us can accomplish far more than just some of us." This quote summarizes Heather C. McGhee's book The Sum of Us, in which she makes the case that #racism has benefited “some of us”, while costing us the benefits of solutions that help all of us. She suggests that “the sum of us” could be far greater if we united in solidarity to work together for what all of us need: safety, belonging, education, and a living wage. Instead, corporations and capitalists have used racism to turn us against each other so that we don’t notice how they continue to enrich themselves by exploiting us. She uses the rise and fall of American public swimming pools as a concrete story to make this pattern visible. They were built by the government in the early 20th century as delights for (white) families of all ages, with elaborate slides and diving boards. But when the Supreme Court ruled that segregation was no longer allowed in government-supported facilities, many towns closed the pools entirely and filled them in, rather than let Black families join. So everybody in the community suffered because of racism – the town’s families who had enjoyed the benefits of the pool no longer had them, and the Black families never got access. She then traces out how this pattern has played out in situation after situation in America, where the government offered a program to support citizens, but that benefit was removed after the Civil Rights movement meant that Black people could potentially use the benefit. I had known bits and pieces of this history, but McGhee’s book brings it all together in a powerful and educational narrative to show the cost that racism has on all of us. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Rather than take a zero-sum mindset where more for you means less for me, we could unite and work together in solidarity to grow new possibilities and create more for everyone. McGhee writes: “Nothing about our situation is inevitable or immutable, but you can’t solve a problem with the consciousness that created it.” When we stop treating people as resources to be exploited, but as people like ourselves, we become more whole ourselves, and that wholeness translates into different thinking and different results. If you want to learn more, you can read my longer summary at https://lnkd.in/gn63YR-H but I highly recommend reading the whole book.

The H3AL Network is a Black Advocacy group that takes an intersectional approach to collective healing. H3AL (Highlighting Equality & Equity through Education, Advocacy & Love) is a grassroots organization based in northwest New Jersey. Our mission is to empower the Black community and provide resources to foster positive community outcomes and growth. We are committed to not being frozen into inaction by the daunting task of addressing systematic oppression, but to facilitate active healing. Firstly, by acknowledging racism and the damage it does to people and communities. Second, by educating ourselves through the works and words of those whose shoulders we stand on. Fourth, we will create a map where there isn’t one, to guide us toward community healing. For more info and to join the network check us out on Instagram and Facebook H3AL #CommunitySupport #CommunityStrong #NeighborsMatter #MakingADifference #CommunityAction #onenorwescap #norwescap #H3ALnetwork

Whether you are a public servant or not, this is a great month to celebrate, learn, and be an ally. What allyship looks like: -apologizing for not using someone's pronouns, and commiting to do better next time -sharing resources and events un support of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community -speaking up to correct homophobic and transphobic rhetoric, not matter who it comes from -creating safe spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ -take initiative to learn -unlearn unconscious biases Other ideas? Share below!

The L.A. County Anti-Racism Diversity and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative released the annual State of Black L.A . Report in September. Our longtime partner (of 100 years!) Los Angeles Urban League hosted a panel series that brought together businesses, philanthropic, social justice, and other civic leaders. Part 1: HEALTH Let’s talk about health. Factors like segregation, environmental toxins, and lack of access to adequate housing, education, nutritious foods, and health care contribute to racial disparities in health outcomes and, ultimately, life expectancy rates. These factors can only be effectively addressed through supportive infrastructure, which is exactly why we’re working with partners to help bring more resources and services to neighborhoods across the County. Make sure to follow along for our 5-part breakdown of the report and read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/guAKPk5e

NEW from Voices! 💬 💬 "Reclaiming MLK Day of Service: From Perpetuating Harm to Honoring the Legacy" "We do it because we are supposed to." "We get the most volunteers this day, but they never come back." "I get anxious about navigating this day." "It's clear the legacy doesn't matter anymore." These are real sentiments about MLK Day of Service and the feelings provoked by corporate group leaders, volunteer engagers and community members. Over time, the legacy is reduced to quick-fix volunteer offerings, t-shirts and awards, white savior practices, and high-fives of temporary accomplishments without sustainability and community voice. How can we shift this day of service to honor and not harm? In this Voices, Breauna Dorelus, MPA shares her thoughts on the day, what it means for the day's legacy to spark co-dreaming, and her partnership with United Way of King County as they reimagined their MLK Day approach. https://lnkd.in/gSvsp8Rk * this article is for Engage members, low cost monthly memberships are available.