August 2020

BOLD NEWSLETTER

WHO KEEPS US SAFE?

On the first day of the BOLD National Gathering in February 2020, just three weeks before major cities across the United States shut down, Serena Sebring addressed the group of over 160 young Black leaders. She was flanked by 17 BOLD participants across a spectrum of gender, age, and ability in green shirts — a team named the Dora Milaje after the Wakanda army inspired by the all-female African military corps of Benin, West Africa.

Sebring, a BOLD alumni and the Executive Director of North Carolina Bluprint, had developed this operational framework and customized it for the National Gathering. After getting the participant’s verbal agreement to the ground rules, she led the room in an electric chant that reverberated through the walls

Who Keeps Us Safe?

We Keep Us Safe!

The Dora Milaje came together for the weekend to take responsibility for holding the gathering in a container of safety, security, and care to support self-governance. Tasked with supporting the boundaries of the space and de-escalating any conflict situations that might arise, the Dora Milaje also planned to minimize external threats, including any unnecessary encounters with law enforcement (such as in the case of a medical emergency).

(continue reading…)

Art for the Moment and the Movement: Perspectives from Three Photographers

The streets are ablaze with peaceful protest. And across the U.S., photographers have been capturing the fire. Black people and their oppression have perhaps never had such a visible platform.

Years from now, these images will stand as a record of a momentous shift in American consciousness. For those behind the camera lens and for those constantly within its gaze there are questions. What narrative will endure after the dust settles? What power dynamics come into play in who creates and curates the images and their context? What is the role of Black artists in the movement for Black lives?

The streets are ablaze with peaceful protest. And across the U.S., photographers have been capturing the fire. Black people and their oppression have perhaps never had such a visible platform.

Years from now, these images will stand as a record of a momentous shift in American consciousness. For those behind the camera lens and for those constantly within its gaze there are questions. What narrative will endure after the dust settles? What power dynamics come into play in who creates and curates the images and their context? What is the role of Black artists in the movement for Black lives?

Three Black photographers and movement leaders discuss their role in shaping the face of the Black Lives movement, and how this moment feels different. (continue reading…)

Photo by R. Ferrell, Photographer archiving resistance from within the Movement for Black Lives

You Can Still Sign up for Counseling Services

As you know, BOLD has partnered with BetterHelp to make professional counseling services available to our community. Since we opened up the call, we’ve seen an overwhelming response. Over 95 persons have signed up to receive the services. Bravo!

Hopefully, this is a testimony to the commitment to more wholeness of community care throughout our community – a mindfulness during a period when resilient responses to a toxic climate of injustice are needed more than ever.

What we have learned from our own personal experience and commitment to embodied leadership is that therapy is not just about emergencies. Depression, anxiety, stress, and grief are not just clinical problems; they are manifestations of chronic phenomena. They can do damage to our work and relationships on an ongoing basis and can ramp up to a crisis level in times like these. Support from the right counselor can serve as a tool for identifying triggers, blocks, and harms and shifting responses.

We hope that the services provided through BetterHelp can meet your needs. There is still time to sign up to receive counseling remotely – via your computer, tablet or smartphone. Please contact Cicily Daniels at cicily@boldorganizing.org.

FAQ's

BetterHelp is the largest online counseling platform worldwide, changing the way people get help with facing life’s challenges by providing convenient, discreet and affordable access to a licensed therapist. BetterHelp makes professional counseling available anytime, anywhere, through a computer, tablet or smartphone.

Counselors on BetterHelp are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists (PhD / PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW), or licensed professional counselors (LPC). All of them have a Masters Degree or a Doctorate Degree in their field. They have been qualified and certified by their state’s professional board after successfully completing the necessary education, exams, training and practice. While their experience, expertise and background vary, they all possess at least 3 years and 2,000 hours of hands-on experience. Click here to learn more about the counselors.

BOLDers will be able to have counseling, free of charge, until the grant is expended. Cicily Daniels, from BOLD, will notify all participants (notifications may be sent anonymously, through the dashboard) when we have reached a point when there is only 1 month left of grant money available for each participant, so they have time to make the choice for their therapy which is best for them. She is also willing to try to help find additional resources in order for folx to continue their counseling. For your information, the BetterHelp subscription is $45 per week which includes unlimited messaging and up to 4 live sessions per month.

No. BOLD will not know who is receiving counseling and will not have any access to your counseling or other personal data. You can also select an anonymous username and use your personal email when you sign up.

Additional questions? Contact BetterHelp at: contact@betterhelp.com

We Have Updated Our Website!

BOLD has enhanced its website to include new tools for you to keep in touch and learn about updates from other BOLDers. You can now interact in the following ways through the portals on the home page:

Message Board

We’d LOVE for you to come on board and join the conversation. Share updates from your organization, achievements and wins, and shout-outs to other alumni.

Job Board

Here is where you can find and share new career opportunities

Upcoming BOLD Events

Check out upcoming events at BOLD in the Bulletin Board and the event feed on the bottom left of the website.

Org Updates

Share what’s happening at your organization

Funding Opportunities

Find ways to raise money for your organization

Resource Library

Articles & Videos recommended by BOLD’s Teaching Team

The registration link will be sent out soon!

Suggestions? Drop a line to cicily@boldorganizing.org