SEA Racial & Social Justice Newsletter – April 2025 – Honoring Women in our union
April is a time when we start to think about the possibilities of what is to come. After missing last month’s edition that was planned to highlight fellow union sibling for Women’s History Month March! I have decided to share these stories as it will allow us as members to reflect on the past, present and what we can look forward to. As a new leader, who believes in hope that we are better than in our past and we can make things better for our future if we can be open to learning from and with one another.
I want to thank Toni O’Neal for interviewing Joyce McDonald and DaZanne Porter, three exceptional female leaders who have been with our union for many years.
This month’s issue has resources about:
● A Call Out to Help Uplifting Educators Voice with the 9:29
● SEA CRSJ Len Hill Educator Grants
● Resources for Educators
● Professional Development
● Local Community & Labor Engagements
● Upcoming calendar events
CRSJ Team: Director Elizabeth Ward-Robertson, Nisha Daniel, Matt Legacki, Toni O’Neal, Davina Diaz, Jennifer Matter, Charjit Dhoot, and Uni-Serve Director Uti Hawkins
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April Stress Awareness Month – 9:29 minutes:
By Adrienne Maree Brown
“Part of how power is removed from people is convincing us we do not have it, and part of stepping into our collective power is recognizing that you have power, you have agency in our SEA movements.
We can default to a place of feeling like others should be held accountable for every feeling that we have, forgetting that we can each learn how to shift our internal state, name our needs…and be intentional about how we bring our feeling into a shared space. “
We are calling all who represent as BIPOC to come to the mic, introduce yourself, worksite and share
What are some places you have stepped into to show your collective power & agency in union work or SEA union movement?
OR
Please share some spaces you have been in where you have had to shift your internal state to name your need to move a conversation or situation forward.
SEA CRSJ Len Hill Leader & Advocacy Grants
Len Hill Leader and Advocacy Grant Program. Do you know your Racial Equity Team can apply for $500, $750, or $1500 to fund your site’s racial equity work on a Green Day. Please reach out to the director of CRSJ for more information and support.
Resources:
Story about Seattle: https://reason.com/volokh/2025/02/10/race-discrimination-harassment-lawsuit-against-seattle-related-to-its-race-and-social-justice-initiative-thrown-out/
Moment in History: Watch CBS Mornings: Selma marks 60 years since “Bloody Sunday” – Full show on CBS
CBS Stories that represent courage:
Watch CBS Mornings: Gayle King to join Blue Origin’s space flight – Full show on CBS
Watch CBS Mornings: Amanda Nguyen on memoir, historic flight – Full show on CBS
Watch CBS Mornings: Dylan Mulvaney on fame, Bud Light backlash – Full show on CBS
Watch CBS Mornings: “Rule Breakers” cast on film’s impact – Full show on CBS
Books:
“Until I Am Free” by Fannie Lou Hamer’s Enduring Message to America
ACRE Action Center on Race & the Economy
Vision
The Action Center on Race & the Economy seeks to create a more racially and economically just society that values people over profits, and supports the full inclusion and leadership of Black, brown, and poor people in our democracy and economy.
About – Action Center on Race and the Economy
The National Education Association is happy to announce that we are accepting applications starting March 21, 2025 until May 11, 2025, from NEA local and state association teams for the ESPs: Supporting Our Own Through Peer Mentoring, 2025 NEA BLENDED LEARNING COHORT.
Through online and in-person, group and individual learning opportunities, state and local association teams will come together to learn with others, share resources, build knowledge, and support one another as they build and develop their own unique education support professional (ESP) peer mentoring program.
Interested local or state associations should form their teams and apply starting March 21, 2025, and no later than May 12, 2025, 5:00 p.m. ET. Selected teams will be notified on June 16, 2025. Participating teams who successfully complete the online learning can attend the in-person workshop in Washington, D.C., on October 25-26, 2025. NEA will fully fund four individuals from each participating team to attend the in-person workshop.
For complete details on the blended learning cohort and to apply, visit www.nea.org/espmentoringworkshop<http://www.nea.org/espmentoringworkshop>.
For more information reach out to CRSJ Director Elizabeth Ward-Robertson NCESP member.
Local Community & Labor Engagements:
(RARE) Roosevelt Alumni for Racial Equity community event
Read Seattle About | Read Seattle is building a community-driven literacy movement by connecting volunteers with local nonprofits that are making a real difference.
We are asking for your support in helping us to promote this community driven initiative.
AAPI – Asian American Pacific Islander community
Date: Monday, April 21, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM PT
RSVP: apia.vote/april25
Join APIAVote, AAPI Data, NCAPA, and AAJA for the Voices of AAPI Communities monthly briefing. This month, they’ll share findings from the latest AAPI Data/AP-NORC survey on how AAPI communities are reacting to President Trump’s first 100 days in office.
APALA 18TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION – Home
Letter carriers fight for contract, against privatization — The STAND
Upcoming Events:
April – National Minority Health Month
April 11 -17 – Black Maternal Health Week
April 14 -18 – SPS Spring Break
April 15 – Jackie Robinson Day
April 16 – Emancipation Day
April 22 – International Mother Earth Day
April 23 – Administrative Professional Day
April 27- 30 – Pan-African Week
April 28 – Workers Memorial Day
April 29 – International Dance Day
April 30 – International Jazz Day
May 1 – International Worker’s Day
Become a Member
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