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Counter Culture Educators for Community


We are two Black queer femme educators and interdisciplinary artists, based out of Massachusetts, committed to uplifting our community. 


Since 2011 we have worked as partners teaching Hip Hop theater. We have produced award-winning artistic, mentorship, and culture and climate program designs serving the greater Chicago and New England areas. 

In our combined 37 years of teaching, mentoring, and program development, we have noticed reoccurring patterns within the institutionalized spaces we've worked.

✏️We have noticed cultures lacking in empathy and understanding. 
✏️We have noticed educators and community leaders consistently draining themselves and sacrificing their health. 
✏️We have observed a lack of trust between teachers, students, parents, administration, community organizers, and other leaders serving these communities. 
✏️We have observed how the dangers of complicit behaviors leave many to suffer in silence. 

Within the current culture of education, the benefit of understanding cultural differences is not recognized. We are not learning how knowledge of self and wellness is the first step to creating greater connections and being the best leader you can be. 


Alternatively, We learned through our own teaching experiences how the practice of recognizing humanity solves many of these challenges. We became an example of how authentic connection, radical honesty, and love can improve learning and community work. 

⭐️We collaborate with creative leaders to re-imagine a world without walls and provide them with tools to positively enhance intergenerational connections through community engagement practices, artistic expression, self-care, and play. 
⭐️We teach young people to become leaders in their community and amplify their voices and stories.
⭐️We collaborate with other like-minded leaders in our community to add to our collective practices. 
⭐️We provide tools for educators to enhance their practices in cultural sensitivity, show them how to recognize the humanity in themselves and see the humanity in others as well.
⭐️We help creative leaders turn the culture of their community around one authentic relationship at a time. 


We are passionate about working with creative leaders including but not limited to teachers, educators, coaches, mentors, and youth leaders who:

⭐️Feel burnt out, and lack self-confidence, but are dedicated to youth work.
⭐️Are inspired to do work for change and are interested in improving the culture and environment around them. 
⭐️Are prepared to address cultural disparities.
⭐️Are in touch with their creativity and are open-minded.
⭐️Value education and human connection.

We, as creative leaders, know our work deeply impacts those we lead. The lives of the youth and communities we work with depend on us to do better every day. Yet, we cannot show up for our community when we do not show up for ourselves. Therefore it ultimately becomes a disservice to the communities we are working hard to serve if we do not learn healthier approaches to education. 


We envision Counter Culture Educator as a hub for creative leaders, engaging in leadership practices, focused on self-healing while growing positive intergenerational relationships and authentic connections as a way of being.

We need YOUR help!


We have estimated we will need at least the following amount as soon as possible  to cover the startup costs:

Legal & administrative startup fees $2600
Marketing, website and branding package $2020


How did we estimate these figures?

✏️We researched local legal fees and support services
✏️We researched pro services on Fiverr
✏️We reached out to our business contacts and networking groups


Our goal is to raise these funds by July 30th 2020.
We greatly appreciate your support in any form and/or amount you can offer! ❤️

Organizer

Kinga Walker-McCraven
Organizer
Amherst, MA

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