FORJ CITY-WIDE EVENT hosted by Newton South High School FORJ
FORJ Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Solidarity Night
Wednesday, April 14th 7-8:30pm, with open discussion until 9pm

RSVP HERE to receive the Zoom Link

Come join parents, students, teachers, and community members to support our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community through an evening of learning and connection!  Sponsored by FORJ NSHS (Families Organizing for Racial Justice @ Newton South)

You will learn about:

• the historical and systemic roots of violence and discrimination against AAPI communities
• how AAPI communities are suffering in terms of mental health and how to help
• ways to support our young people, family members and friends during this difficult time

Special Guest Facilitators: Michele Leong and Charlene Beh from Newton North High School
Will offer breakout rooms for participants to connect with each other in small groups.

FORJ SCHOOL CHAPTER MEETING
Thursday, April 29th 7:30pm- 9pm
RSVP HERE to receive the Zoom Link

School-based FORJ groups will come together (over Zoom) after a long while since they last met to learn about the work happening at the different chapters.  Please join us on April 29th to discuss the new FORJ Chapter “Playbook”, which provides additional details on how to run a successful FORJ Chapter.  The group will also meet with grade level cohorts (elementary/middle/high schools) to discuss ideas and connect.  This meeting is open to anyone interested in running a FORJ Chapter, all welcome and definitely bring a friend 😉

The Monologue Project: Common Threads
Saturday, April 10th at 8 PM
Directed by Edie Pike and Valerie Goldstein
Click here to reserve your pay-what-you-can ticket

Log on at 7:45 to enjoy live music by Lasya before the show.

Our next virtual production celebrates the voices of Asian American girls and women in the Newton community.  Directed by Edie Pike and Valerie Goldstein, the show brings together a group of Asian American girls and women to share their stories and experiences.  The stories, from a population that has been continuously silenced throughout history, explore both hardships and celebrations of how Asian American women have been able to navigate their identity and break through stereotypes.  The show will include original monologues written by cast members as well as performances by local artists.

Mark your calendars for upcoming FORJ City-Wide Meetings:

Thursday, April 15, 6PM – Boston School Desegregation through the Rearview Mirror, Mass. Historical Society
Monday, April 22, 12pm – The Impact of Increased Exposure to Diversity on Suburban Students’ Outcomes: An Analysis of the METCO Voluntary Desegregation Program
Tuesday May 25th 7:30pm-9pm – Looking at the how and why of advocacy and how to avoid common pitfalls. More information to follow.
Wednesday June 16th 7:30-9pm – End of the year celebration
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

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