7.1: You Are Not Meant to Do This Alone: The Power of Anti-Racist Community

First Name Basis Podcast

Anti-racism is meant to be done in community.

It makes sense, right? This work is SO important and we need to be sharing it with others in order for change to actually happen. But we also need support in it — especially during the times when it feel like that change is coming at a snail’s pace.

In this episode, we’re talking more about why community is important and how we can go about creating a community in our anti-racist work. You’ll learn more about:

• Why anti-racist community should really just be community and why there shouldn’t be a need to separate it out.
• How community affects both your mental and physical health.
• The two main reasons why communities form.
• 6 of the characteristics of positive community.

Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.

We are opening the doors to both Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr. on Sept. 20!

Parents have been asking for a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that I lay out in the First Name Basis Podcast, so I created Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr.

Ally Elementary is geared toward third-eighth graders, while Ally Elementary Jr. is for the smaller allies in our lives who are in preschool-second grade.

During these programs, parents will work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home. We will use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives to how they can learn more about their individual identity and culture. I am so excited to watch the families in our community make a meaningful transformation and improve their communities through anti-racist action.

Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary (for third-eighth graders)

Click here to join the waitlist for Ally Elementary Jr. (for preschool-second graders)

Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 4: “Black Lives Matter: How Will You Respond?” with Veronica Chambers

First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 16: “Age Appropriate Anti-Racism”

First Name Basis Podcast, Season 4, Episode 10: “The Memory That I Can’t Shake: The Why Behind Ally Elementary”

“10 Traits That Make a Positive Community,” by Dr. Nicole Celestine

Act Belong Commit

“The Roseto Effect: The Amazing Power of Relationships for Heart Health” by Joel Kahn

“Strong communities, wellbeing and resilience,” The King’s Fund

Live Free Free Creative Grown Up Summer Camp

Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN