June 29, 2020 to July 3, 2020
This past week, the youth leaders in our BOBA (Becoming Organizers, Becoming Advocates) program stood in solidarity with others to ask that the Saint Paul School Board end its contract with the police department. I saw how they thoughtfully navigated the different points of views and came to conclusion that this demand was not just about Black lives, but their own.
For years now, Asian American students and their parents in SPPS had brought forth solutions that they believed would work better to address the alarming achievement gaps for Asian students who are classified as English Language Learners. For context, Asian students in SPPS are 1/3 of the student population and they make up the district’s largest student group regardless of race, and about 70% of SPPS Asian students are classified ELL. So, though many may have generalized that Asian students were universally academically successful; the truth is more complicated. Since 70% of Asian students are classified as ELL, it would be better to look at the academic outcomes of ELL students to better understand how Asian students are faring. It then becomes understandable why parents, students and advocates have been so concerned.
Asian student and parent solutions have included asking the district to: hire and retain staff who are culturally responsive and reflect the student body; invest in heritage language development; embed ethnic studies into core curriculum for all students; incorporate culturally sensitive and trauma informed social and emotional support and learning; and, invest in college and career readiness. Progress has been slow and frustrating for many, but in this moment of reimagination, our BOBA youth were able to understand that if they did not stand in solidarity and if they did not raise their voice to inform elected leaders in this decision of divesting in police, they may never see any of their ideas come to fruition.
In this moment, we stand united to demand that systems stop perpetuating violence against Black and Native bodies. As I watched our youth, they are also showing that this is also a historic movement moment where we must also stand together to shape a shared future where Black and Brown youth’s brilliance is collectively invested in, rather than feared. They are also asking that we don’t just train them to lead tomorrow, we can make room for their leadership today.
In community,
Bo Thao-Urabe
Executive & Network Director
Collected Resources on Addressing Anti-Black Racism
We’ve put together a list of resources on addressing anti-Black racism for non-Black individuals and organizations. There are how-to’s, art, curriculum, collected readings/articles, resources on police alternatives, general anti-racist & black liberation resources for non-black people.
Small Business Relief Grant Application Due July 2, 2020
The Minnesota Small Business Relief Grant Program will make available $10,000 grants to Minnesotan owned and operated businesses that can demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of $60.3 million is available for grant awards which will be selected through a computer-generated, randomized selection process.
Grant funds received by individual businesses shall be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, and other similar expenses that occur or have occurred since March 1, 2020, in the regular course of business. These are grants and no repayment will be required.
Submit your application HERE. Applications are due on Thursday, July 2.
Families, please share your experience with distance learning
The Minnesota Department of Education wants to hear from families about their experience with distance learning this spring. This feedback is extremely valuable to help MDE understand how help families as they balance the responsibilities of work and family, while also supporting student learning. The survey will close on June 30, 2020.
The survey is available here in English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish.
Spark Leadership Fund
BIPOC leaders throughout Minnesota can apply for micro-funds of $500, $750, or $1,000 to carry out projects that address an community urgent need at this time. Applications are reviewed weekly. To apply, please visit our website here.
2020 Facing Race Awards
Nominations are open for the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation’s 2020 Facing Race Awards!
Nominations are open until July 2 at 3 p.m. Up to six individuals will be selected and recognized on October 1 at our virtual Facing Race Awards ceremony.
The Facing Race Awards, established in 2007, offer a way to honor those in our community who challenge absent and harmful narratives on race; build solutions that unite, instead of divide; and push for justice and equity. Through these Awards, we celebrate and learn from those leading the way forward.
Report Discrimination and Bias
If you experience or witness discrimination based on race, where you come from, your immigration status, or anything else, call Minnesota’s Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148 or submit this online form. The helpline is staffed by investigators from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Translation/interpretation services are available.