Kindness eases change.
Love quiets fear.
And a sweet and powerful
Positive obsession
Blunts pain,
Diverts rage,
And engages each of us
In the greatest,
The most intense
Of our chosen struggles.
– Octavia Butler, Parable of the Talents
At the National Equity Project, we bring people together to design and create resilient, thriving and liberated communities. We believe change happens when leaders connect and collaborate to create thriving places of belonging and value for every child and family.
In light of the rapid and emerging developments around the COVID-19 pandemic, we are reimagining what it means to gather people and groups to do their best thinking, designing, and healing while maintaining physical distance. We have made the decision to shift all of our upcoming open-registration events to virtual convenings. We have also cancelled all work-related travel for our client engagements and continue to support our staff to work virtually while balancing care for their children and families. While we will not be physically gathering, we hope to provide meaningful and impactful virtual experiences that will support people to learn and build relationships and community in these complex times.
We’re only as strong as our most vulnerable. This is the time to focus our equity lens on all our decisions and conversations. Who is most impacted by our current systems and structures? In this moment our “vulnerable populations” aren’t othered but belong to all of us – our aging parents, our favorite restaurants and small business owners, our nurses and doctors providing care without adequate protections.
This is a moment of great disruption. We encourage you to find comfort in leading for equity as “our chosen struggle.” Use this time of physical distance to learn, heal, observe, question, imagine, design, and continue to take courageous action toward creating the just and equitable systems and communities we need and deserve.
“Physical distancing – NOT social distancing.”
– Jayeesha Dutta, Another Gulf Is Possible
Resources & Readings
Coronavirus Resources
- Coronavirus: Wisdom from a Social Justice Lens
- Coronavirus and Racial + Social Equity: Centering Justice During Times of Uncertainty and Four Things You Can do Right Now
- We Need Social Solidarity, Not Just Social Distancing
- A few things for nonprofits and foundations to consider in light of the Coronavirus
- When Xenophobia Spreads Like A Virus
- Self-care Tips if you become sick with COVID-19 from an activist nurse
- COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources
- Ricardo Levins Morales Free Digital Downloads – What to Do in a Pandemic
- People Quarantined in Italy Join Together In Song From Balconies During Coronavirus Lockdown
- Coronavirus Anxiety – Helpful Expert Tips and Resources
- How canceled events and self-quarantines save lives, in one chart
- The CDC says to wash your hands for 20 seconds. 9 Atlanta songs to help you keep time.
- Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund
- COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented Californians
- Oakland At-Risk Match
Resources for Kids at Home
- Anti-oppressive, anti-racist homeschool curriculum ideas and resources
- Parents Share Their Favorite At-Home Activities To Help Bored Kids
- Exploration of the day
- Download Free Coloring Books from 113 Museums
- Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions Due to School Closings
- Drag Queen Story Hour Live Streams
- Parable of the Sower Graphic Novel Available Online
More Equity News & Resources
- Healdsburg (NEP Client Partner) to fully merge primary schools after confronting racial, academic divide
- Hugh Vasquez in Equity: Roadwork Ahead animated video
- Na’ilah Suad Nasir (NEP Board President) Voted AERA President-Elect
- Brian Stanley (NEP Board Treasurer): Structural Racism: What is it? What Does it Look Like
- Crip Camp on Netflix – March 25 – there is so much to be learned from our disability justice activists in these times. Look to their leadership as we all explore new modes of access to community and resources.
