Day: June 7, 2023

Posted in On the Desk..., On The Radar, Resources

For All My Richmond, VA Folks!! Banned Book Swap-Virginia Teach Truth Day of Action

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Teach Truth Day of Action is co-coordinated by representatives of Black Lives Matter at School, the Virginia Education Association, and the National Education Association. It is one of many Teach Truth Day of Action events being held across the United States at historic sites. 

As states like Virginia are seeing an increase in book bans it is essential to counter those outside voices!! This is an outdoor event where teachers, young scholars, community members, and educational leaders can come together to learn, teach the truth, and support the freedom to read!

All are invited to come with a book and leave with a (different) book!!

See more information below:

Saturday, June 10, 2023
2:30pm – 4:00pm 

Sacred African Burial Ground in Shockoe Bottom 1554 E Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219

Banned Book Links

Top 11 Most Banned Books of the 2022-2023 School Year, Pen America
Top 10 Most Banned Books of the 2021-2022 School Year, Pen America
​Banned Books, ACLU
Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2010-2019, American Library Association
Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2000-2009, American Library Association
Banned Books Week: Defend the Right to Study People’s History, Zinn Education Project

Additional Information

  • How to Book Swap: Bring a book in good condition to trade. It can be used or new (there have been banned books at just about every used book store or thrift store we have visited). You will come with one book and leave with another. 
  • Altar/Ancestor Table Offering: There will be an opportunity to make an offering to the sacred ground. You can bring an item to leave such as flowers, fruit, bread, etc. or bring a personal item that you want to put on the altar during the gathering, but take with you after such as jewelry, photos, trinkets, etc.
Posted in Celebration, Resources

#30DaysofBlackJoy…Day 7-“Joyful Black Spaces”…Black Spaces That Bring Me Joy!! – HBCUs

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Wednesdays will be dedicated to “Joyful Black Spaces” and will be highlighted by guest blogger Lauren N. Jackson. Lauren serves as the Director of First and Second Year Experiences at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and is the founder of three initiatives to support Black women and girls; “Black Girls Study,” “Leadership Development for Women of Color,” and the “LeadHERs Mentoring Program.” Lauren is also currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Justice from VCU. 

What are Black spaces? Black spaces are intentional spaces and environments designed to uplift and empower the Black community. These spaces bring JOY because they allow Blacks to rid themselves of the daily microaggressions, racism, and prejudices often experienced in society, and allows them to fully embrace their Blackness; their uniqueness, dialect, identity, and culture. Black spaces include spaces like: higher education institutions, restaurants, churches, museums and the like.

Today’s #BlackJoy moment we will focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, also known as, HBCUs. In 1838, the first HBCU, Cheyney University was established. At a time where Black education was limited at predominantly white institutions and when racial segregation and discrimination were prevalent in American society, Cheyney, like other HBCUs were founded to address this inequality and provide educational opportunities for Black students.

Since then, HBCUs have played a vital role in shaping the educational landscape for African Americans in the United States. They continue to produce scholars who make significant contributions around the world in various fields like STEM, literature, politics, sports, and arts. Prominent figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Morehouse College), Booker T. Washington (Hampton University), Thurgood Marshall (Howard University), Toni Morrison (Howard University), Oprah Winfrey (Tennessee State University), Terrance J (NC A&T), and Kamala Harris (Howard University) are among the distinguished graduates of HBCUs. HBCUs serve as beacons of hope where students feel a sense of pride, identity, belonging, community, and most importantly, JOY!  

If you are interested in learning more about the 107 HBCUs, check out the following links: BlackPast, History of HBCUs-Thurgood Marshall College Fund , and HBCU First Timeline .

For all my RVA peeps a special shout-out to two of our local HBCUs – Virginia State University (Etrrick/Petersburg, VA) and Virginia Union University (Richmond, VA). I would also like to shout-out the visionary of #BlackFutureFeminist and the #30DaysofBlackJoy series, Dr. Grace D. Gipson who is a proud alumna of Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA)!

Want to get more insight about HBCUs through the lens of the media? Grab some friends, a few Black-owned snacks, and watch these movies, TV shows, and documentaries. 

  • A Different World (1987)
  • School Daze (1988)
  • Drumline (2002) 
  • BET’s College Hill (2004)
  • Stomp the Yard (2007) 
  • The Great Debaters (2007)
  • Tell Them We Are Rising (2018)

See you all tomorrow!!