REAL (Racial Equity & Learning) Story Project
Donation protected
“Hearing a story is an opportunity for you, the listener, to show up more fully in your humanity because what you do with it makes you an agent of change.”
–Piper Anderson, Mass Story Labs
In 2019, REAL (Racial Equity and Learning) began gathering community members’ stories about their experiences of race, racism, and anti-racism in Northampton Public Schools (NPS). Sharing our stories can help us better understand the landscape that is shaped by us all – students, educators, administration, and parents/caregivers of our district.
We’re thrilled that a physical exhibit inspired by our community’s stories will launch in spring 2023! Will you take a minute today to donate to help us finalize our action-inspiring story exhibit in time for a spring debut?
Specifically, your donation will support:
- Stipends for teachers who are on a multi-racial advisory board, lending their time and expertise in developing discussion prompts and facilitation of the exhibit
- Stipends for teachers and students who will facilitate student visits to and engagement with the exhibit
- Materials for building the physical elements of the exhibit
Your support of the story exhibit will bring us closer to the anti-racist school district we all deserve, where:
- Educators and administrators are racially diverse
- School curriculum, policies, and practices emphasize the voices and contributions of people of color
- Perspectives and recommendations of students of color are solicited, heard, and acted upon by leadership
- Conflict resolution is about repairing and improving relationships among people, not punishing individuals
- Conversations about race and race equity are integral to school culture
- People value their interconnectedness, and all people feel they belong
With the incredible support of JFK interim Principal Lauren Marien (and previous support of former JFK Principal Desmond Caldwell) and the JFK SOCA (Students of Color Association) group, JFK Middle School will be the first in our district to host the exhibit. We hope to move the exhibit to the Northampton High School as well as eventually to public spaces in our community.
There is so much potential and HOPE when we join together in pursuit of an anti-racist NPS. Big thanks in advance for supporting this work toward a more welcoming and inclusive district!
(Please note, there is a 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fee for each donation - if you can round up to cover this, we would so appreciate it!)
Organizer
REAL (Racial Equity And Learning)
Organizer
Northampton, MA