Thank you for your interest in AMPLIFY, a campaign of The CT Forum with support from Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, that highlights the work and priorities of Connecticut organizations working to create sustainable change in advancing racial justice.
Take a look at these resources for learning, action items to explore, and opportunities for connection between organizations and the community.
Students for Educational Justice
A youth-led, intergenerational organizing body that drives efforts for racial and educational justice.
SEJ works on transforming our education system and wider society through strengthening student leadership and training them to organize; and instilling a positive racial identity in BIPOC students, encouraging them to embody their power.
CALL to ACTION How you can get involved with SEJ
> Connect SEJ with students and teachers to join the fight.
> For educators: schedule SEJ for a classroom visit or a political education workshop for your students.
SEJ IN THE NEWS
> Hamden Student Group Receives Funds On MLK Day
> $600,000 grant supports anti-racist teaching in New Haven Public Schools
> Why These Teachers and Students Want Juneteenth in the Curriculum
> Dismantling the Culture of Policing in Schools
READ. WATCH. LISTEN.
Recommendations from SEJ students / Highlighting Black & Brown Joy!
> Michaela Coel's Chewing Gum (on HBO Max)
> Akeelah & the Bee (2006 film & book)
> Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (streaming on Hulu & more)
The Center for Leadership and Justice
The Center for Leadership and Justice works to develop leaders who act collectively for social justice in Greater Hartford. CLJ builds power for justice by organizing 50 faith based institutions to work together on issues of justice.
CALL to ACTION How you can get involved with CLJ
> Contact CLJ for training on how to engage your congregation or community organization in specific actions for justice.
> Seek out information on what it means to be anti-racist. (Resources below)
CLJ IN THE NEWS
> Faith leaders organize to expand anti-racism training in Greater-Hartford schools
> Activities Council takes down one Hartford landlord but continues helping aggrieved tenants
> CLJ Organizational Thank you Video
READ. WATCH. LISTEN.
"Talking About Race & Being Antiracist" - a resource from the National Museum of African American History & Culture
RE-Center activates youth and adults to drive transformative change towards racially just schools and communities. They envision an equitable and just world where all youth have what they need to grow and thrive and empowered students supported by conscious, critically thinking adults, and supportive and safe schools and communities. They work towards a world in which equity is institutionalized in all school systems.
CALL to ACTION How you can get involved with RE-Center:
> Read and share articles by RE-Center like this one, about the danger of siloing equity work with one person.
> Grow conversations about re-centering race and equity using RE-Center's tools.
Roca is an organization with a proven track record in disrupting incarceration, poverty, and racism who recently extended their work into Hartford. Roca’s mission is to be a relentless force in disrupting incarceration, poverty, and racism by engaging the young adults, police, and systems at the center of urban violence in relationships to address trauma, find hope, and drive change.
READ. WATCH. LISTEN.
Roca recommends a deep-dive into the work of Thomas Abt -- a Harvard scholar, crime researcher, and former Obama-administration official specializing in evidence-informed approaches to reducing crime in urban areas:
> Bleeding Out: The Devastating Consequences of Urban Violence and a Bold New Plan for Peace in the Streets
The Center for Latino Progress
The Center for Latino Progress (previously known as the CT Puerto Rican Forum) works to advance the socio-economic conditions of the community at large, with an emphasis on Hispanics, through education, training, supportive services, leadership development and advocacy.
The Center includes the BiCi Co. and Transport Hartford Academy Programs, both working on sustainable, affordable, and healthy transportation.
CALL to ACTION How you can get involved with CLP:
> Volunteer with the Center's BiCi Co. community bike shop and youth programs.
READ. WATCH. LISTEN.
> CLP recommends the 2021 remake of West Side Story (in theaters now, or available to stream on Disney+ or rent elsewhere)
Katal Center for Equity, Health & Justice is a community organization that works in CT and NY to strengthen the people, policies, institutions, and movements that advance equity, health, and justice for everyone.
CALL to ACTION How you can get involved with Katal Center:
> Sign up for email updates on their website.
> Participate in their #freethemnow campaign.
A catalyst to inspire Hartford to be vibrant with civically engaged residents and leaders, strong schools, and thriving economies.
CALL to ACTION How you can get involved with Blue Hills Civic Association
> Seek out volunteering and advocacy work.
> Attend BHCA upcoming events.
READ. WATCH. LISTEN.
Recommendation from BHCA:
> Videos and publications by Chike Akua, including ParentPower!: The keys to your child’s academic & social success.
The Prosperity Foundation (TPF) is a participatory philanthropic vehicle focused on improving the lives of Connecticut’s African-American communities. Their mission is to create a unique impact in CT's Black communities in the areas of education, economics, and health.
READ. WATCH. LISTEN.
>Learn more about The Prosperity Foundation by reading their blog here.
ActUp Theater mobilizes the power of the arts to promote social justice activism within our communities.
CALL to ACTION How you can get involved with ActUp Theater
> Stay in-the-know by signing up for their email newsletter.
> Join their Spring Masterclass series as they prepare for their upcoming production, “Our Sis, Cinderella.”
READ. WATCH. LISTEN.
Plays recommended by ActUp Theater:
• Fences
• The Color Purple
• A Raisin in the Sun
