January 2022 - Brownicity

Curated for Joyful Learning: Meet the bKids Toolbox, A Holiday Gift Guide for Sparking Curiosity and Engagement

December 5, 2023

Lucretia Berry • December 5, 2023 Curated by Brownicity moms, educators, and artists to support natural curiosity, spark exploration, and inspire engagement, the bKids Toolbox is a great holiday gift for the whole family. Its content supports hours of engaging learning through read alongs, books, coloring pages, activities, and life-giving conversations. The bKids toolbox includes: A 5-lesson b.kids course* designed

What Competing Narratives Taught me about Native Nations

November 30, 2023

Laura Marti – November 30, 2023 During a recent appointment with my long-time hair stylist Amy, our casual conversation steered toward a trip I took to Washington DC with my husband. While he was tied up in work meetings, I had the opportunity to explore several museums along the National Mall. They were all very eye-opening in some way. Intrigued, my

Why Giving Tuesday?

November 26, 2023

Shifting the focus from consumerism to the joy of giving! Brownicity • November 26, 2023 Giving Tuesday is a compelling initiative that turned into a sort of tradition to shift the holiday season’s focus from consumerism to the joy of giving. Since its inception, this annual event has evolved into a global movement, inspiring millions to contribute, volunteer their time, and

Creating Thanksgiving Memories: Family-Friendly Lessons for the Holiday Season!

November 20, 2023

Tiffany Robinson • November 14, 2023 As the Thanksgiving season approaches, families everywhere are gearing up for warmth, gratitude, and togetherness. I’m Tiffany Robinson, and I’m thrilled to share some delightful Thanksgiving lessons that you and your kids can enjoy right in the comfort of your home. Lesson 1: Thanksgiving and Family Traditions Kickstart your Thanksgiving journey by exploring the

Implicit Bias: The Invisible Influence on our Decision-Making

November 14, 2023

Tracey McKee • November 14, 2023 Biases are part of human nature, a way our brain works to sort and navigate the world. On a very basic level, they are our preference for a person or thing over another person or thing, like preferring pop music to country music or city life to rural life. Biases develop early in our

Getting White Supremacy Out into the Light

November 7, 2023

Dan Berry • November 7, 2023 Have you ever had someone tell you something and your first thought was, “That’s not true!” It’s probably because you didn’t like what you heard, so you just chose to not believe it. We also have this issue with terminology. We are living in a time where, if we don’t like the true meaning of

The Impact of “The Nerve!”

November 6, 2023

Brownicity • November 06, 2023 In 2020, Brownicity first launched our webinar course THE NERVE! – CONNECTING THE BRAIN & RACISM. This was in the depth of the pandemic and not long after the murder of George Floyd, when there was a global uprising against racism. It’s been a minute, but the webinar is just as important today, if not

The Joy of Anti-Race/ism

October 31, 2023

Lucretia Berry • October 31, 2023 “You should say what you are for, not what you are against!” he said, forcing his unsolicited advice regarding my use of the word, ‘anti-racism.’ I respected his desire to help, but thought to myself, ‘I am FOR anti-racism.’ But I get it. Over the last few years, the word ‘anti-racism,’ like ‘woke’ has

Exploring Ethnicity and Family Heritage

October 26, 2023

Laura Marti – October 26, 2023 This past summer, I traveled to Akron, Ohio, my hometown, for a family wedding. During our time there, my aunt brought out several boxes of old family photos. We were all excited to look through and reminisce, seeing old friends of my parents while they were teenagers, my grandparents when they were first married, and

Celebrating one year of “Teaching for Justice & Belonging”

October 20, 2023

Lucretia Berry • October 20, 2023 One year ago, “Teaching for Justice & Belonging: A Journey for Educators & Parents” was released, and audiobooks.com is helping us celebrate by offering you huge savings on your audiobook! They’ve created a 75% discount just for you! The promotion starts today and will be available until 11/10/23. Read Washington state National Board Certified

Raising Our Youth as Leaders for Today

October 17, 2023

Autumn Swain • October 17, 2023 Take your glasses off for a minute. No, not your actual glasses. I mean those “insular lobe” glasses. This part of the brain is responsible for your perception of your environment. These “lenses” are how you specifically view the world, how you experience your neighborhood, your beliefs, and how you choose to raise your

Diversity: Why It Matters

October 10, 2023

Tracey McKee • October 10, 2023 The concept of diversity, or appreciating the things that make us different and unique, emerged from the Civil Rights Movement. Our country is a nation of both indigenous people and immigrants from all over the world. According to the last Census, it is estimated that more than 45 million people, or 13% of our total

Answering Your Questions about Anti-Racism Education

October 6, 2023

Troublemaker Training Special Event Followup Lucretia Berry • October 6, 2023 Did you participate in the Red, Wine & Blue Troublemaker Training? Didn’t the students do a great job sharing about how the Anti-Racism 101 high school elective impacted them? If you missed it, watch the recording: I wish I had more time to answer everyone’s questions! I sincerely appreciate your

Let Freedom Read – A Resource for Banned Books Week!

October 5, 2023

Brownicity • October 5, 2023 Did you know that October 1-7, 2023 is Banned Books Week? This annual event serves as a powerful reminder of the vital importance of free expression and the right to access diverse perspectives. In a time when our country grapples with numerous efforts to ban books, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the significance

The Unseen Harm of Microaggressions

October 3, 2023

Committing to Awareness, Change, and Inclusivity Dan Berry • October 3, 2023 Have you ever had a conversation with someone that frustrated you because you didn’t feel like you were on the same page? Those conversations produce nothing but angst. They never lead to any kind of understanding or resolution. They never strengthen a relationship. Most conversations about race fall into

Be part of the change at the 2023 Color of Education Summit!

October 2, 2023

Lucretia Berry • October 2, 2023 Get ready for an inspiring event that’s all about shaping the future of education in North Carolina! The 2023 Color of Education Summit is just around the corner, and it’s brought to you by an incredible partnership including the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity & Opportunity, the Public School Forum of North Carolina,

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Activism: Channeling Feelings for a Powerful Mission

September 29, 2023

Lucretia Berry • September 2023 Be honest. You’ve been doing the work, and it’s hard, right? The emotional, spiritual, and physical labor takes a toll on you. Well, we see you and Dr. Zinobia Bennefield has created a course specifically for you! The Mindful Anti-Racist is designed to center the feelings of those engaged in anti-racism work, acknowledge that those feelings are important (no

Anti-Racist Education: Why Extremists Fear It and We All Need It

September 28, 2023

Troublemaker Training Special Event Lucretia Berry • September 28 2023 I have been invited by the organization, Red, Wine & Blue to be a speaker for their Troublemaker Training series. I will share on what anti-racist education and my anti-racism high school elective actually entail. Students who have taken Anti-Racism 101, the course I designed and have taught since 2018, will participate

How to put an end to ‘reverse racism’ and other common misconceptions

September 26, 2023

Lucretia Berry • September 26, 2023 “I enrolled in this course because its title, ‘What is Race/ism?’ made me question my understanding of racism,” explained the high school student. “I walked into the class confident that I knew what racism was. But as the class unfolded throughout the school year, I realized that I knew so little, actually close to

My Day in Court

September 19, 2023

A Window into the Criminal Justice System Laura Marti – September 19, 2023 “Justice is never actually experienced directly. By contrast, we do experience injustice, and it is only through this that we form an idea of justice.” — Nancy Fraser, Professor of Philosophy & Politics at the New School for Social Research I recently had the opportunity to gain insight

Embracing Our Shared Histories – The Relevance of Your Past and Mine

September 12, 2023

by Sara Chinakwe • September 12, 2023 In elementary school, the only thing I learned about Black history was condensed into a chapter of our history book which highlighted the enslavement of my ancestors. I didn’t know how to verbalize my feelings when it came to learning about slavery, but I knew I felt…shame, sadness, misunderstood, and singled out.

36 Children’s Books That Build Racial Literacy Without the Overwhelm

September 9, 2023

Lucretia Carter Berry, PhD • June, 2023 Do you find it challenging to discuss the important topic of race/ism with kids? Do you wish there was a comprehensive and impactful way to approach this subject without overwhelming children or ourselves? Addressing race/ism and other social schisms with children from an early age is crucial for promoting a more inclusive and equitable

Healing Requires More Than a Band-aid

August 29, 2023

Afrika Afeni Mills • August 29, 2023 What comes to mind for you when you think of healing? For me, I immediately think of wounds, and when I think of wounds, I think about the many I experienced as a child while playing outside. One incident comes to mind in particular. When I was around five years old, I was playing

When I Hear ‘White Privilege’

August 22, 2023

Tracey McKee • August 22, 2023 The first time I heard the term white privilege, I remember thinking that it didn’t apply to me. My reaction was not unique; as you have probably seen, the media has covered a lot of stories about the backlash to terms like white privilege and oppression. Almost as if a default setting had kicked in, when

Get Out of Judgment and Into Curiosity

August 15, 2023

Dan Berry • August 15, 2023 Having a productive conversation with anyone about any subject will only happen if you have a basic understanding of the terminology that is included in said subject. Here at Brownicity we have identified 43 different terms and their definitions that will help us all get on the same page when it comes to race related

Navigating the Illusion of Race

August 8, 2023

How a comprehensive understanding deflates its power Lucretia Berry • August 8, 2023 “We didn’t know if you’d be a boy or girl, but we knew you’d be Black!” As a child, I heard this phrase a number of times. It speaks to the significance of racial identity – to the certainty and weight of race in our society. It’s

Empowering Anti-racism: Essential Elements for Effective Learning and Growth

June 26, 2023

Tracey McKee • June 26, 2023 I was admittedly nervous and unsure when I stepped into my first anti-racism course over five years ago. I had no idea what to expect and worried that there were many ways such an endeavor could go wrong. After all, the fact that we need anti-racism education in our country isn’t because we are good

Why is it so difficult to learn about race/ism?

June 20, 2023

Dan Berry • June 20, 2023 My wife Anne and I will be married for 48 years this August. Over the years, we have had a boatload of disagreements. Whenever a disagreement would arise, I would feel personally attacked, become defensive, and we became two rocks in a blender. Because my go-to was to become insecure, I would get angry, frustrated

Protected: Hues of You Summer Camp 2023

June 17, 2023

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Dr. Janet Helms’ White Racial Identity

June 13, 2023

Why talking about race is especially hard for White people Laura Marti – June 13, 2023 Feature Image: Boston College Talking about race is challenging for many people, but it can be particularly difficult for White people. Why is that? Discussions about race often evoke strong emotions and opinions, which can make it difficult to have a productive and respectful conversation.

Celebrate Loving Day: Honoring Love, Human Rights, and Diversity

June 6, 2023

Lucretia Berry • June 6, 2023 Monday, June 12th is Loving Day — a day that holds special significance as it honors the love and resilience of Richard and Mildred Loving, whose courageous fight against anti-miscegenation laws changed the course of history. Before I share four ways to celebrate, let’s understand the history that demanded their fight. A Brief History

‘Hues of You’ Summer Camp

May 30, 2023

A Transformative Antiracism Journey for Kids! Lucretia Berry • May 30, 2023 Are you a parent or educator who finds it challenging to discuss the important topic of race/ism with kids? Do you wish there was a comprehensive and impactful way to approach this subject without overwhelming children or ourselves? Look no further! Hues of You Summer Camp is here

Early Language Matters

May 23, 2023

FREE 2023 Speech, Language and Communication Early Years Summit Lucretia Carter Berry • May 23, 2023 Join Dr. Tehia Starker Glass and me, and 27 other amazing speakers at the upcoming 2023 Speech, Language and Communication Early Years Summit. The Summit is free to watch all week from May 29th to June 4th. Each speaker is an expert in their

Why Teaching Adults About Race/ism is Challenging

May 16, 2023

But Teaching Kids is Fun! Lucretia Berry • May 16, 2023 “They can educate themselves!” I often hear this proposed as a viable strategy for transformation. My thought is that if people have enough comprehension, competency, and efficacy to design their own education – one that builds their capacity to confidently engage in dismantling harmful practices and cultivating justice and

Why Teaching About Race/ism is Hard

May 9, 2023

and how we can get better Afrika Afeni Mills • May 9, 2023 When I think back on the hard things I learned how to do when I was a child, lots of examples come to mind. In sixth grade, I experienced learning a new language in school for the first time. I had some familiarity with the Spanish language from

The Difficulties of Teaching About Race/ism

May 2, 2023

Reflections of a Certified Instructor Dan Berry – May 2, 2023 How many times in our lives have we learned a truth about something and ran with it like we had all the understanding we needed to change the world – maybe to our spouse, our partner, or our kids? Every time that happened in my life, I found out there

School leaders perspecive on antiracism PD and Curriculum

A School Leader’s Perspective on Anti Race/ism PD and Curriculum

April 25, 2023

Tracey McKee – April 25, 2023 A couple of weeks ago, I met with Joy Warner, the recently retired director of Community School of Davidson (CSD) in Davidson, NC. I wanted to talk with her about her journey to find an anti race/ism curriculum for CSD. Community School of Davidson is a K-12 public charter school that has been wildly

Why Diversity Programs Have Failed

April 4, 2023

Brownicity • April 4, 2023 feature image source: https://musaalgharbi.com/2020/09/16/diversity-important-related-training-terrible/ Diversity programs have been implemented in many organizations with the goal of creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace. However, despite good intentions, many of these programs have failed to achieve their intended outcomes. Let’s explore some of the reasons why diversity programs may fail and what organizations can do to

How Fear Silences Us

March 28, 2023

Dan Berry – March 28, 2023 Have you ever sat with a person as they tried to explain to you how your new computer, phone, or some electronic device worked and you nodded in agreement, left the impression you understood everything they just explained to you, but were actually clueless? Okay, maybe that’s just my story, but why? Why did I

It was Hard to Talk about Racism Until I got an Education

March 21, 2023

Tracey McKee – March 21, 2023 Race and racism are hard to talk about. Having open, honest, and productive dialogue with others always helps us arrive at more thoughtful and creative ways to solve our issues. But when we consider talking about race/ism, most of us tend to shy away. If you are a person of color, you may be

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