BE NOLA Newsletter | July 2023 Edition
Be Nola - Black Education for New Orleans
BENOLA builds the capacity of Black-led efforts to advance educational progress in New Orleans.
Dear BE NOLA Friends & Supporters,
Hi fam, Stevie here! I hope that this newsletter finds you in perfect peace as we settle into what’s been a sweet summer. Usually Drin’s salutations open our newsletter but she’s allowing her rambunctious other half to tiptoe in to shoutout my favorite time of year! This month has been full of movement as we get ready for our 4th annual Black Is Brilliant Summit. I created this summit alongside visionary leaders locally and nationally to highlight a strength-based narrative about Black education and also to celebrate the unyielding work of the backbone of our communities, Black educators.?
Summit is a joy-filled, light, loving space where we learn and play! This year it’s fully open to the public so roll through with your family and friends Saturday, August 19th to our very own “Black Wall Street” A.K.A. Bayou Road from 11-4 p.m. We’ll have lively Black-centered programming, good food and drink, a fire block party curated by DJ ANTWIGADEE, Black-owned shopping and vendors galore!
One of the BE NOLA mantras is, “Black education is a lifestyle.” This means we deeply understand the difference between schooling and education. This summit is a chance to expand the four walls of the classroom and immerse ourselves into how we educate ourselves and children through our daily lived experiences as Black people. Enjoy this month's newsletter which highlights a few of our distinguished guests who'll be enriching our minds, bodies and spirits this year.?
We are so grateful for your love, support, and partnership on this journey. Some of you have been rocking with us from Day 1 and we don’t take it for granted! The Black Is Brilliant Summit's virtual and in-person events are managed and produced by a local, Black, woman-owned business,?Saint Josephine. Shoutout to Gabrielle Deculus for pushing us to think big since 2020!
Register to join us in person on Bayou Road Saturday, August 19th, worldwide virtually, or streaming at Black-owned businesses throughout New Orleans. It’s going down, y’all!?
?Peace & Light,?
Stevona "Stevie" Elem-Rogers
Chief of Community Programs & Partnerships
July Spotlight: Broad Community Connections
This month, the BE NOLA Spotlight shines brightly on Broad Community Connections (BCC), an organization that emerged from a collective vision of neighborhood unity and socio-economic growth following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The founders of BCC imagined a future where Broad Street could be a space of communal harmony and progress, aiming to close the racial life expectancy disparity, fuel economic development, and maintain a vibrant, healthy corridor that honors its rich cultural heritage.
Guiding the charge is Dasjon “DJ” Jordan, a city planner and architect with a talent for breathing new life into commercial districts. His conviction in the potential of relationships and bold imagination has steered BCC toward a philosophy centered on equity, trust, and intentional community development.
With the upcoming Black Is Brilliant Summit in sight, we are incredibly grateful to BCC and Dasjon “DJ” Jordan. DJ played a crucial role in our planning of this amazing event on Bayou Road and this further highlights their unwavering dedication to empowering our community.?
What We're Reading
This month we are revisiting the official book of the Black Is Brilliant Summit,The Movement Made Us: A Father, a Son, and the Legacy of a Freedom Ride, by David Dennis Jr. and David Dennis Sr. Weaving together the voices of a charismatic father-son tandem, the book brings to life the stories of revered civil rights icon and beloved BE NOLA friend, David Dennis Sr., and his son, David Jr., a staunch journalist lending his voice to today’s modern movements.
Through vivid snapshots of David Sr.’s involvement in the Movement to his quest to transcend it, we are reminded of the importance of cherishing our history and understanding the sacrifices made to shape our present and future. This is more than a book; it’s a testament to our enduring spirit, a love letter to our struggles, and a roadmap to the progress we continue to strive for. And don't forget, y'all, we've got the honor of hearing from the man himself at the upcoming Black Is Brilliant Summit.?
Let’s keep dollars circulating in Black pockets! Remember to purchase from your favorite Black-owned bookstore when possible.
领英推荐
Partner Spotlight: Mary Moran & Nuestra Voz
In this month’s BE NOLA Partner Spotlight, we?are thrilled to highlight the phenomenal Mary Moran, a long-time BE NOLA friend and revered luminary in the realm of organizing and coalition building for Black and Brown communities. As co-founder and visionary leader of Our Voice Nuestra Voz (OVNV), Mary has been at the forefront of mobilizing parents to advocate for increased educational equity and access. Over the years, OVNV has?evolved into a beacon of transformation for Black and Brown communities, fiercely challenging the systemic inequities prevalent in New Orleans.
Mary’s strategic acumen is exemplified in her successful campaigns such as Louisiana's groundbreaking 2018 living wage campaign, and her tireless efforts to secure protections for undocumented students. She embeds the core values of identity, culture, and collaboration in every aspect of her work.
We are beyond excited that Mary Moran will be sharing her invaluable wisdom as a featured speaker at the upcoming Black Is Brilliant Summit. We can all glean insights from Mary's journey and her strategies for making substantial change within our communities.
2023 Black Is Brilliant Summit: Registration is Open!
Registration for the 4th annual Black Is Brilliant Summit is officially open! It’s going down Saturday, August 19th!?Last year was everything?and this year, we’re coming back better than ever.
Black Is Brilliant Summit is both a virtual and in-person space! Summit is streamed worldwide and throughout local Black-owned businesses in New Orleans, too. However, nothing is more hype than our in-person experience! This year, we'll be gathering to celebrate Black education and educators on New Orleans's Black Wall Street, Bayou Road. There will be joyous music, dancing, food, art, and learning installations!?
Register now and tell a friend to tell a friend we're back and THE BLOCK IS HOT!?
BE NOLA Out & About
This month’s Out & About section is a personal celebration. Stevie and her family have been doing the Essence Festival of Culture which is a New Orleans staple for 22 years and this year was no different. They ran around the city in the sweltering heat, enjoyed nightly musical acts, important conversations about the state of Black America, and ate tons of delicious food! This tradition is a special one for the Elem-Rogers-Germany clan!?
Black Is Brilliant Summit Playlist
The BE NOLA: Black Is Brilliant Summit playlist will put you in the mood for the celebration that is just around the corner. Enjoy!?
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