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Yesterday, a New York Times article reported on the blow that working women (especially single mothers) have suffered during the COVID-19 recession, between job losses and the sporadic closings of childcare centers. At the intersection of single parenthood, gender, and race, Black single mothers are hit even harder.
This is the context that my dear friend and social justice mentor Dru is navigating. She was laid off from her job because of COVID. Although she has used her time to build her independent consulting business, providing sorely needed teaching and guidance for people grappling with the spiritual and ethical demands of waking up to the reality of systemic racism and racist violence, the recent cancellations of diversity trainings in the federal workplace has meant the loss of government contracts, and with that, the loss of significant income. Meanwhile, at the very moment that Dru lost health insurance, she started receiving bills for a surgery that she needs to correct a mistake that the surgeon made during the last surgery. Meanwhile, her rent hasn’t stopped coming due, and her kids still need to be fed.
Dru is showing up for our community: in her training and consultation, she creates a safe space, where people can speak with radical honesty; where she challenges people without shaming; where people can be comfortable being uncomfortable; and where people leave feeling inspired to and capable of taking clear action. But establishing yourself as a business person- no matter how urgent the needs are that you are trying to meet - takes time. And that’s time that debt - and interest on the debt - accumulates.
Dru needs her community to show up for her now. That's why I’m asking for contributions towards a goal of $2000, or one month’s rent & utilities. If we can cover more than one month’s rent, even better. So if you know Dru, or care about the work she is doing as an antiracist teacher, please donate. For those of you who like investments, I can think of no better investment than in the human, social, cultural capital of my dear friend Dru. Thank you.
This is the context that my dear friend and social justice mentor Dru is navigating. She was laid off from her job because of COVID. Although she has used her time to build her independent consulting business, providing sorely needed teaching and guidance for people grappling with the spiritual and ethical demands of waking up to the reality of systemic racism and racist violence, the recent cancellations of diversity trainings in the federal workplace has meant the loss of government contracts, and with that, the loss of significant income. Meanwhile, at the very moment that Dru lost health insurance, she started receiving bills for a surgery that she needs to correct a mistake that the surgeon made during the last surgery. Meanwhile, her rent hasn’t stopped coming due, and her kids still need to be fed.
Dru is showing up for our community: in her training and consultation, she creates a safe space, where people can speak with radical honesty; where she challenges people without shaming; where people can be comfortable being uncomfortable; and where people leave feeling inspired to and capable of taking clear action. But establishing yourself as a business person- no matter how urgent the needs are that you are trying to meet - takes time. And that’s time that debt - and interest on the debt - accumulates.
Dru needs her community to show up for her now. That's why I’m asking for contributions towards a goal of $2000, or one month’s rent & utilities. If we can cover more than one month’s rent, even better. So if you know Dru, or care about the work she is doing as an antiracist teacher, please donate. For those of you who like investments, I can think of no better investment than in the human, social, cultural capital of my dear friend Dru. Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jenna Teves
Organizer
Charleston, SC
Drisana McDaniel
Beneficiary
