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Southern Marin Scoop - February 22, 2024 |
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Dear Friends and Neighbors in Southern Marin,
February marks Black History Month, a time to celebrate the profound contributions of Black Americans and serves as a reminder of the ongoing work we must undertake to ensure equity and justice for all.
In this edition of our newsletter, I am excited to share updates and opportunities that highlight our commitment to inclusivity, community engagement, and preparedness.
Throughout February, we have been commemorating the remarkable achievements and resilience of Black Americans who have shaped our history and continue to inspire us today. Let us take this moment to reflect, honor, and amplify the voices and stories of the Black community within our county.
Building stronger connections starts with understanding the unique needs and strengths of every neighborhood. I have been fortunate to attend several incredible events and locations this month which are noted below.
Finally, I hope you will join me at an upcoming preparedness event designed to equip our community with the knowledge and resources needed to effectively respond to emergencies and build a more resilient future together.
Thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to our community. Together, we can achieve meaningful progress and create a brighter future for all.
Warm regards,
Stephanie
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 In This Edition
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 At the Marin County Board of Supervisors meeting, Feb. 6, the County of Marin African American Employees Association made a presentation to the board honoring Black History Month. Following the presentation, the board passed a resolution proclaiming the month of February 2024 as "Black History Month" and joins in observing and celebrating this month of national significance The Board of Supervisors calls on Marin
County elected officials, administrators and community members to observe
Black History Month with educational events, ceremonies and activities each
year hereafter. READ RESOLUTION
The Legacy of Marin City, A California Black History Exhibit
The Legacy of Marin City, A California Black History (1942-1960) Exhibit is now on display at the Marin County Office of Education in San Rafael. The interactive guided tour includes a California Black History story of American patriotism and Black migration to Marin City, photography, artifacts, and primary sources depicting the history of Marin City and the significant contributions from Marin City that enrich the culture of Marin County. Secure a guided tour, which are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays with select Saturdays available February 1 - May 31, 2024. MORE INFO
VIDEO: Marin City woman teaching students about community's Black history (CBS News Bay Area)
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The Legacy of Marin City, A California Black History Exhibit Opening with (from left) Curator Felecia Gaston and Assemblymember Damon Connolly.
Libraries Celebrate Black History and Culture
The Marin County Free Library (MCFL) is collaborating with the County of Marin African American Employees Association (COMAEA) in a joint effort to celebrate and commemorate Black History Month throughout February. The "Strength in Striving" theme encompasses a series of in-person special events scheduled across multiple locations in Marin County, including Marin City, San Rafael, Corte Madera, Stinson Beach, Novato, Fairfax, and Point Reyes throughout the month of February. Find a detailed list of events HERE.
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 I was fortunate to attend the Marin Women's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony hosted by the YWCA, Feb. 8. One of the honorees of the evening was Marin City's Kellye Eboni Mckinley, founder of Our Sisters’ Keeper (OSK), a peer-led, mutual support group for marginalized women in Marin City and beyond. Eboni has the relationships, connections, and deep community knowledge about the hardships women face, especially in Marin City. She also has the expertise and facilitation skills to bring women together and create an environment of trust and sharing that can lead to personal growth. Pictured (from left) Shemika Green, Ida Green, Mckinley, Kristen Wolslegel and District Aide Doreen Gounard.
 I attended a moving presentation at the Manzanita Recreation Center in Marin City by Bay Area rapper and community activist Stanley Cox (aka: Mistah F.A.B.) called "T.H.U.G. Therapy," a workshop to help men open up about mental health struggles, especially those in the Black community where caring for one's mental health can take a backseat. “Thug” is an acronym for teaching, helping, uniting and guiding. Pictured (left to right) Curtis Thomas of Believe Radio, County of Marin Chief Probation Officer Marlon Washington and Mistah F.A.B. MORE INFO
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County to Allocate Participatory Budgeting Funds
The County of Marin Office of Equity launched Marin County’s first-ever participatory budgeting initiative to invest resources in community-driven solutions to address local needs. Participatory budgeting is a form of direct democracy in which community members decide how to spend a portion of the public budget. Funding recipients in District 3 include Marin City Youth Leadership, The School to Life Project, Black and Brown Youth Theater, Building Parent Power in Marin City, MC Arts Gallery - A Place to Be, and Ancestral Healing for Women.
Through an innovative pilot program, 24 projects that advance racial equity and make meaningful change in Marin County neighborhoods were eligible to receive grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000. Community members across Marin County voted for their favorite projects and helped determine which grant applicants would receive a portion of the $2.5 million in federal money. LEARN MORE
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 Spent a fun evening at the Sausalito Marin City School District Rise Up! 94965 Foundation Gala, Feb. 2. Pictured here with SMCSD Community School Director Phil Logan.
Visiting the Climate Solutions Lab at NatureBridge in the Marin Headlands with (left to right) Alan Krepack, NatureBridge Board of Directors Chair, Aides Jen Imbimbo and Doreen Gournard, and PaHoua Lee, Golden Gate Campus Director.
 Touring the Manzanita Children's Center with (left to right) Community Action Marin's Vice President of Early Education Shana Hewett and CEO Chandra Alexandre.
 Meeting with volunteers and CEO Anne Grey at Vivalon's new Healthy Aging Campus.
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Burbank Housing and Marin Housing Authority Partner to Preserve, Rehabilitate and Revitalize Historic Golden Gate Village
 Marin Housing Authority’s (MHA) Board of Commissioners voted to approve the recommendation to enter into negotiations with Santa Rosa-based Burbank Housing as the development partner for the Golden Gate Village Revitalization Project. Adopted by MHA’s Board in November of 2022, the project plan prioritizes preserving Golden Gate Village’s (GGV) historic buildings and affordability for its residents through rehabilitation and recapitalization, as well as a $2,000,000 empowerment fund to bolster support services for GGV residents. The Marin Community Foundation contributed an additional $1,000,000.
MORE INFO
Goals Clear on Next Steps toward Race Equity in Marin
All over America, indicators of community well-being have shown troubling disparities by race, including in Marin County. In recent years, the County of Marin created an Office of Equity and a Race Equity Action Plan to advance policies that make Marin more welcoming to all. That plan, first created in 2017, has been updated and was discussed and approved January 23[PDF] during the Marin County Board of Supervisors meeting, which included a presentation on the implementation strategy.
Now it’s all about rolling up sleeves and making things happen with the $1.7 million allocated by the Supervisors. Looking ahead, implementation will focus on three top priorities: Economic opportunity, mental health, and housing. MORE INFO
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Caltrans Manzanita Sea-Level Rise Project Online Community Meeting, Feb. 29
 Online Community Meeting Info
Thursday, Feb. 29
6-7:30 p.m.
Link to join: https://bit.ly/3ud2ovl
Questions/Comments: Email the Caltrans project team at ManzanitaProject@dot.ca.gov
Marin Countywide Electrification Roadmap
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In concert with community stakeholders, Marin Climate and Energy Partnership and County of Marin have drafted recommended key actions to equitably transition Marin’s buildings to an all-electric and energy efficient future. They are requesting your feedback on actions proposed. Please take the following SURVEY, which should take 5 - 10 minutes to complete. In addition, please download this supplementary document for more details on the key actions proposed. Survey Closes March 5, 2024. |
Save the Date - READY 94941
 Join us for an afternoon of fun! The Southern Marin Fire Protection District and ReadyMarin are hosting an emergency preparedness fair on March 10th, 2024.
Learn what you can do to prepare your family and pets for disasters, win prizes, practice with fire extinguishers, and much more! All ages welcome.
When:
Sunday, March 10, 2024
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where:
Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley
Questions:
Contact Leah Curtis, SMFD Preparedness and Education Coordinator, at lcurtis@smfd.org
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 TheCivil Grand Jury is Marin County’s only independent watchdog of government agencies and services. Composed of 19 citizen volunteers, it investigates and monitors the performance of county, city, and local governing entities, including special districts. It also has the power to make recommendations to improve local government. Empowered by the judicial system, the Civil Grand Jury is independent of administrators, politicians, and legislators. Learn more by watching this video.
Applications are accepted from all qualified citizens. Superior Court judges review the candidate applications and, through the interview process, select 30 potential jurors. A drawing is held to pick 19 jurors; those remaining are alternates.
The Civil Grand Jury accepts printable applications[PDF] or online applications at any time during the year. However, the Grand Jury works on a fiscal year basis and the deadline for submitting an application for the next year’s Civil Grand Jury is April 21. For more information, please see the Grand Jury Brochure[PDF].
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