Art from Ashes Inc

Ibram X. Kendi is offering a free virtual event on "How to Be an Antiracist". The virtual event is taking place on Monday, July 20th, at 5pm Mountain Time. As all of you know, AfA stands with Black Lives Matter and encourage all of our volunteers to attend (all of our staff will be attending). Aligning with our core values of respect, inclusivity, integrity, and advocacy we believe in continuing to increase our knowledge so we can better serve our community in a compassionate, caring, and supportive way.

You can register for a free spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ibram-x-kendi-on-how-to-be-an-antiracist-ti...

If you have not read AfA's official statement on BLM please read the following:

For generations, Black communities have endured systemic violence, restrictive financial practices, inequity in health and environmental conditions and treatment, and a political system that is unresponsive to—if not blatantly dismissive of—fervent calls for change. Art from Ashes stands in solidarity with all those fighting against oppression, and we urge our stakeholders, friends, and those interested in justice, accountability, and democracy to do the same.

When it comes to social justice issues, Art from Ashes has always made a stand alongside the youth and the issues they face on a daily basis—issues that in some instances have resulted in their imprisonment and even in death.

How could we be silent when our mission is to empower and uplift the voices of those who have no safe space, of those who suffer due to racism and abuse, of those who deserve to be offered support and encouragement?

In addition to providing a safe space for young people to discover the power of their creativity, we have complete faith that their transformation will change the world. And it’s fairly obvious, never more so than now, that the world needs to change. Some of us at AfA are intimately familiar with the devastating effects of racism, and some of us will never know or fully understand. But none of us will stand by and refuse to speak up against evil—particularly evil that has and can destroy a child’s sense of possibility and self-worth.

Art from Ashes stands with the youth we serve and the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as with all other movements designed to free the voices of those oppressed by tyrannical and racist systems.

We hope you will stand with us as we continue to provide a non-judgmental forum for youth expression, a space for marginalized youth to connect with others and with their communities, and a way for young people to realize the power of their creativity to advance change both in their own lives and in the world.

With blessings and in peace,
Catherine O’Neill Thorn, Executive Director/CEO of Art from Ashes