Excuse the punny Thor reference. I'm not about to hurl Maggie at you. But since we have your attention, let's get serious for a moment.
We do need your help. All the organizations doing equity building work do. As you know, Inclusive Communities is part of a national coalition called the National Federation for Just Communities (NFJC). Since we are currently the operational coordinators for the coalition, we've been meeting with our partner organizations across the country to talk about the different ways we approach our singular mission.
What we've come away with is that our organizations are at a critical moment. There is a burgeoning movement against equity at a national level. Our organizations are facing battles on multiple fronts as we collectively seem to be seeing a stringent opposition to creating a just society for all people. We need your support.
Our driving force is to build equity for all - to confront prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination despite the attacks and misinformation surrounding racial equity, gender identity, and sexuality. This work is hard, our organizations are not guaranteed longevity and the brave individuals doing this work are vulnerable. Thus, we are asking for the support of the communities across the country to help aid in our resilience. Please hold us up and support our mission, with your time, your donation, or your own direct action.
This work is relational and communal. It takes all of us working together. Even as we serve as a support system to elevate folks who experience marginalization, we too ask for the support to persevere in our mission.
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SHARE Omaha's Do Good Days start tomorrow! Join the Inclusive Communities mission to confront prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination by supporting us on Giving Tuesday, Wishlist Wednesday, and Volun-Thursday.
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Join us for Omaha Table Talk! |
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Join us on May 24th at 6 pm on Zoom for our Omaha Table Talk on the Intersection of Mental Health, Trauma, and Resilience.
Our panelists are Abra Pointdexter, Dr. Charmayne Adams, Dr. Michael Greene, and Megan Smith-Sallans. The conversation will be moderated by Nikki Smith, a recent Nebraska Wesleyan University grad who completed her practicum hours with Inclusive Communities.
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July is In-Person (and online)
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On July 12 at 11:30 am, our Omaha Table Talk ties directly into this theme with a discussion on the experiences of undocumented workers and the path to citizenship. This will be a hybrid event with an in-person attendance option at KANEKO, and an online option via Zoom. We are excited to see you in person again soon!
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We're excited to announce the completion of LeadDIVERSITY Cohort Three! Celebrate 29 wonderful Advocates who are being impactful in their fields, organizations, and communities.
Applications are now open for Cohort 4. Are you ready to begin your Advocate journey?
Apply before June 17 for your opportunity to become a LeadDIVERSITY Advocate!
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Cohort Three began their legacy project right away. They have established the LeadDIVERSITY Advocate Fund. Donations made through this fund present a scholarship opportunity for an upcoming applicant to the LeadDIVERSITY Program. |
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Job Opportunities
Coming Soon: Communications Manager
Programs Manager
Kandace and Krysty are moving on to new adventures in the coming months. We're super stoked for them, and also sad to see them go. To ensure a smooth transition, we'll be posting their positions on Wednesday May 16 so incoming team members can have a great onboarding experience.
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Ugh…Not Another Boundaries Blog
by Colin McGrew
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I find it hard to start this conversation without sounding entirely cliché, but I find the springtime to always be a time of growth for me. With longer days and a sprouting environment around me, it is hard to not be inspired. However, with this development of renewed energy and investment in my wellbeing, there comes a dark realization. Which is – why do I not give myself the same attention and investment year-round? Why do I rely on half of the year to get all the joy I can? The obvious answers that I point to are “well the school year is a busy time for us!” or “with shorter days, you just don’t have the time necessary to dedicate to yourself.” When I present these arguments to the folks in my circle, they often fall flat. Mostly because they are excuses, somewhat valid I would argue, but nonetheless they are excuses.
A word that I cannot seem to escape these days is boundaries and I know that this word means all sorts of things to different people. Some folks love it, some folks find this sort of thing trivial, and to be quite honest, I cycle between the two. I am always wary of holding up one thing and saying, “this is the answer!” because as we say here at IC, we have to be able to acknowledge the complexity and nuance of all experiences and contexts. I have been having a lot of these conversations though, about boundaries, personal sustainability, pace, flow, etc. and have found it challenging in all the right ways.
In a recent session of LeadDIVERSITY Tena Hahn Rodriguez and Portia Burch facilitated a Replenish session where much of the conversation centered on the idea of boundaries. Portia mentioned that “boundaries are not walls, they are doors.” Meaning they are ways for us to control the traffic of things that demand our time and attention. I have known for some time that I am not much of a boundary keeper, but here it was again, another reminder that my haphazard patch work of boundaries is far more reactive than it needs to be. The worst thing is, I am often the person that violates my boundaries the most. I set the precedent for myself and others that it is okay to bend this boundary once, well then that once becomes another, and another, and then all of a sudden you have a revolving door spinning away with no way of slowing it down. Not to be too dramatic, but you catch my drift.
Now, this blog is not meant to solve anything necessarily, nor is it revolutionary by any means, but I hope it serves as a reminder that in our ways of doing things in this world, we need to stay vigilant and consistent. I need to stay vigilant and consistent. I have much to unlearn about my approach towards work, “the grind,” and self-worth which I often tie to the concept of productivity, but that is for another time altogether. As I wrap this ramble up, I want to extend an invitation to everyone reading this to be kind to yourself and the others around you. Hold yourself and those same people accountable. In engaging this practice of grace and accountability, I personally hope to move towards a better understanding of how I want to show up in different areas of my life and draw distinctions between them. Ugh…thanks again Portia and Tena!
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