FORJ (Families Organizing for Racial Justice) is a coalition of school-aged families in Newton coming together to teach our children — and ourselves — how to stand up for racial equality. Our Lincoln-Eliot FORJ contact is parent Lanni Isenberg: lanni_harris@yahoo.com.
If you’d like to get involved in FORJ, please join the meeting this week:
FORJ Welcome Back and “Meet and Greet” with Kathy Lopes, NPS Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Wednesday, September 23rd, 7:30pm-9pm
RSVP HERE
And see below for upcoming events and ways to support the work!
Engine 6 Organizational Meeting
Tuesday, September 29th, 7pm
Engine 6 is a voluntary association of residents of Newton, MA, who advocate for fair, affordable, and diverse housing in abundance.
Sign up here to receive information about upcoming meetings.
Zoning Redesign virtual office hours — These sessions are a great way to learn more about the effort and get answers to specific questions, straight from Planning staff.
• The next session is Wednesday, Sept. 30, 12:30–2pm. Go here to sign up.
• If there are no slots left, you can still listen in, and often there is leftover time for unscheduled speakers.
• Email Kathleen if you’re interested but have questions or need reassurance
Baramor in Newton Center officially announced its newest Pull for Charity partner, Newton’s Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ). During September, Baramor will donate $3 for every pint of their Pull for Charity draught line purchased to FORJ.
FORJ Fitness Fundraiser with Newton Talks Race
Saturday, October 3rd 3pm
Newton Center Playground, 81 Tyler Terrace
$10 suggested minimum donation (all proceeds go to FORJ)
About Newton Talks Race: Coordinator Armando Machado initially began the concept to share ideas and views on how to combat racism. Now, Newton Talks Race is becoming a coalition of any group or individuals who want to promote race. The goal is to have a monthly platform for changemakers to update each other on individual events and to collaborate on future events.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Armando at newtontalksrace@gmail.com
If you use Instagram, you can follow @newtontalksrace
Facebook page coming soon!
Raising Antiracist Kids
Thursday October 27th 7-8pm
Hosted by the Newton Public Library
Cosponsored by FORJ, The Harmony Foundation, & the Newton Human Rights Commission
Join us for the first in a multi-part educational series on being an anti-racist. This program is part of Overdue: Confronting Race and Racism in Newton, a city-wide read and series of events and conversations on race and racism.
FYI (FORJ Your Information):
One Horace Mann Elementary School teacher, Mike Feldstein, leads a group of his faculty colleagues in “Constructive Conversations on Race.” Primarily designed for and by white people, Constructive Conversations on Race aims to provide a space for authenticity and vulnerability in discussing race. While faculty of all backgrounds are welcome, it recognizes the emotional toll that educating white people on racism can put on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), and instead encourages white people to take an active role in their own personal growth.
For more information on “Constructive Conversations on Race” or if you would like to learn how to start your own group, email FORJnewton@gmail.com.
In the News:
For anyone who participated in the Indigenous People’s Day action, here is a news story regarding the School Committee response to date: https://newton.wickedlocal.com/news/20200917/newton-councilors-to-weigh-changing-columbus-day-to-indigenous-peoples-day