|
February 2021 Newsletter
This Black History Month, the accomplishments of countless Black leaders and visionaries are honored across the country. In Kentucky, a special focus is on the Father of Black History, and former Kentucky resident, Carter G. Woodson. After graduating from Berea College in 1903, Carter G. Woodson laid the groundwork for the first academic studies of African-American history. Over 100 years later, Carter G. Woodson's vision for Black history is still a vehicle for change and transformation. Learn more here.
“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”
- Carter G. Woodson, "The Father of Black History"
 Whitney/Strong Presents - Save A Life Training on February 20
Save A Life was developed as an innovative way of reducing gun violence in communities that bear the brunt of gun violence disproportionately. Save A Life teaches basic firearm safety skills such as safe storage and gun handling techniques, as well as Question Persuade, Refer (QPR), an evidence-based suicide prevention course in a virtual setting. Practices shared within the training are proven to reduce the risk of gun violence by preventing accidental death and injury, suicide, and violent crime. Participation is free and culminates with a firearm safety kit which is available for drive-through pick-up and includes a gun lock and more.
Adult Registration: https://www.whitneystrong.org/save-a-life-registration-form
Youth Registration: https://www.whitneystrong.org/save-a-life-registration-form-youth
 One Love Louisville Violence Prevention Training
Turn your passion into action and learn the tools needed to make a difference in your community! Our next Ambassador Institute will be held on February 20, 2021. To adapt to the virtual platform, we have shortened the training.
Training will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants will be trained in Mental Health 101, Suicide Prevention, Community Organizing, Conflict Resolution, and the Public Health Approach to Violence. Trainings will be led by experts from Seven Counties, the Kent School of Social Work, the Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center, and more!
If you have ever wanted to join an institute, doing so is easier than ever! Register for the event below.
 Virtual Town Halls are back, and they have already featured several incredible guests! Starting January 28, OSHN Community Outreach coordinator Lavel White will feature weekly guests on the OSHN Instagram page for a live interview and opportunities for Q&A from the audience. Be sure to tune in Feb 25 at 6:00 PM when Nigel Blackburn, member of the Mayor's Youth Implementation Team, discusses Community Building. Come ready to learn and interact as Nigel will be taking questions from the audience!
Full Instagram Live Town Hall Events
February 25 at 6:00 PM - Community Building discussion featuring Mayor's Youth Implementation Team Member, Nigel Blackburn
March 5 at 12:30 PM - Education discussion featuring JCPS Chief of Communications and Community Relations, Renee Murphy
Online Learning
With limited trainings and in-person gatherings, here are some interesting learning opportunities to continue to grow and develop our collective understanding of violence.
 This month, Louisville Metro Government's Planning and Design Services released an in-depth story map articulating the role of racism in city planning and zoning in Louisville. This interactive exhibit begins with a basic introduction to zoning, and then dives deeper into the specific policies, regulations, and people that have shaped the City of Louisville. The story map covers Louisville's racial segregation ordinance of 1914, Harland Bartholomew's 1931 Comprehensive Plan, and Urban Renewal of the 1960's. It also highlights current health equity reports, fair-housing Assessments, and recommendations for revising the current Land Development Code. View the story map HERE.
Beyond Buzzwords with Robin DiAngelo
Beyond Buzzwords is a Metro United Way speaker series on diversity, equity and inclusion that is designed to provide thoughtful and meaningful discussions about important topics that promote thinking as well as personal and institutional application. Metro United Way's next installment of the series will feature Robin DiAngelo, the New-York Times best-selling author of "White Fragility"
The event will take place on February 23, 2021 from 12:00 - 1:15 PM. Register for the virtual event here.
|
|
 |
Race, Research, and Policy Portal
The Race, Research, and Policy Portal is a FREE online resource dedicated to summarizing and promoting research publications on diversity, racial equity and antiracist organizational change in private, public and non-profit firms and entities. Many of RRAPP’s resources highlight academic studies, which are often hidden behind subscription paywalls and are subsequently underutilized. Search articles by topic or "how to" guides such as "How to make your organization accountable" or "how to organize change with community stakeholders." RRAPP helps change-makers learn and find the tools they need.
Explore featured articles HERE.
|
|
 |
COPID: Suicide Prevention and Coping During COVID
Did you miss January's Networking Night? We recorded it! Sara Williams, faculty and doctoral candidate with the Kent School of Social Work, discusses how isolation and increased stress is affecting our mental health, as well as practical tips to improve wellness. Finally, Sara discusses suicide warning signs, how to talk to someone who may be considering suicide, and resources for help.
Check out a recording of the event here. Links to resources are included in the description.
For your own copy of handouts and resources from the event, please contact: joseph.newland@louisvilleky.gov
|
|
 |
Bold Responses to the Racial Wealth Gap
Recent Fed data suggest that Black households have about 12 cents for every $1 held by white households, a modest narrowing since 2016 but essentially unchanged over the last generation. This is despite educational, political, legal and other gains during that time. Further research by the St. Louis Fed shows that most of this wealth gap can be explained by historical and institutional barriers that good financial and educational choices alone are not likely to overcome—suggesting that narrowing the gap may require bolder responses.
Please join February 17 from 1–2:30 PM for an event sponsored by the Center for Household Financial Stability at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis to explore some of these responses. Register here.
Public Art Workshops
Art has the power to increase community pride, strengthen neighborhood identity, and beautify our city - all these are protective factors against violence! If you're an artist looking to get involved, or if you are looking to commission art, see below.
Making it Public is a five-week workshop designed to provide practical knowledge about the fundamental aspects of public art. The workshop hosts guest speakers, discusses the field, profession, history, and contemporary issues in public art, and presents tactical information about RFQ process, working with community, and finding funding.
|
|
 |
This workshop will have two tracks:
- Track 1: for artists of any discipline who are interested in public art
- Track 2: for those commissioning public art, including developers, commissioners, Metro Council members, planners, landscape architects, arts and culture administrators, neighborhood and/or business associations, etc.
For each track, the workshop will consist of recorded and live sessions [all virtual] over the course of five weeks, and will engage local and national public artists, public art admins, and funders in discussions. Workshop content will be presented through an equity lens with a particular emphasis on skills to increase the competitiveness of BIPOC artists. Groups will come together at various points throughout the workshop.
When: February 22 - March 22, 2021. Thirty minute session recordings will be emailed at the beginning of each week, and hour long live conversations will happen via Zoom on Thursday evening [track 1] and Friday morning [track 2]. A conference room at Metro Development Center will be available for participants to access the sessions. More information will be sent upon registration.
Registration will close on February 18, 2021 at 6pm EST. Register here.
Questions? Email JenK@ForecastPublicArt.org for more information and registration form.
Center for Social Justice Youth Development Research forming Steering Committee
The Center for Social Justice Youth Development Research (CSJYDR) at the University of Louisville will be leading the work of building out a certificate program for youth development professionals and workers centered on a social justice approach to youth development practice.
The University of Louisville’s Center for Social Justice Youth Development Research (CSJYDR) is establishing a steering committee to support the development and implementation of the new SJYD certificate program. Join CSJYDR for an informational session on Thursday, February 25th at 10:00am.
Register Here to attend!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Aishia Brown at aishia.brown@louisville.edu.
|
|
 |
The Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods is Hiring!
The Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods is looking to expand their outreach department, and they are looking for passionate community members to join them. Community Outreach Specialists serve an essential role in our goal to reduce violence in Louisville by connecting citizens to resources, facilitating positive alternatives to violence, and educating the public on violence prevention efforts. OSHN is currently hiring six Community Outreach Specialists as well as one Community Outreach Supervisor. See below for more info on job functions, duties, and requirements.
Community Outreach Specialist, Click HERE.
Community Outreach Supervisor, Click HERE.
Stay Connected!
There is great work happening here in the office, and most importantly, in our community. It is our goal to keep you engaged, involved and co-leading our important work. Our vision for Louisville is a city of safe neighborhoods where everyone is supported, free of violence, and prepared for lifelong success. We can only achieve this together, so stay connected with our monthly newsletters, social media, and visit our website for more information and additional calls to action.
Past OSHN Newsletters can be viewed here.
We would love your feedback. If you have questions or concerns regarding our newsletter, or have a related event that you would like to communicate with our networks, contact Joe Newland.
Take care of each other.
#BeThe1
OSHN Team
|
