Image Credit: Daily Theology (dailytheology.org)
To join the collective, please contact Simone ([email protected] or 206-405-4600).
What is the Collective and why is it important?
In 2018, we are making a commitment to strengthen how we organize for racial justice across CAGJ – in our organizing committees, campaigns, leadership, and political education with our members and the community. To support this commitment, Organizing Director Simone Adler is participating in an intensive 4-month anti-racism training with the Catalyst Project. The goal of this new leadership collective is to work with Simone to integrate new perspectives into the anti-oppression principles that guide CAGJ’s work. With a mostly white base of members and supporters, the time is now to lift up racial justice in how we talk about, think about, and organize intersectionally in food movements.
GOALS:
- Accountability for Simone to bring back the knowledge, tools, skills, and processes of the Anne Braden Anti-Racism Training Program into CAGJ.
- Develop a mechanism for implementation and centering of anti-racism analysis and racial justice action in CAGJ’s programs. In particular, develop CAGJ Summer School program with racial justice at the core.
- Create a space for leadership development around anti-racism in our local Seattle food justice and food sovereignty movements.
- Strategize on the content and how we organize our community education efforts to center racial justice, including information on our website, workshops, and educational materials.
MEETINGS & EXPECTATIONS:
There are two groups within the Racial Justice Leadership Collective: 1) Core Leaders; 2) Food Justice Project Leaders. Both are a part of the RJLC with specific roles.
Core Leaders:
- Smaller group of (5-7) CAGJ members who have taken leadership roles and bring helpful historical knowledge of the organization.
- Give direct feedback about CAGJ’s previous and ongoing anti-oppression work, and how new perspectives can add to and change that process.
- Meet three times following the Catalyst Project Trainings, to be scheduled between members.
Food Justice Project Leaders:
- Larger group of activists that are in CAGJ community (both new and long-time members and volunteers) who have expressed interest.
- Participate in discussions and organizing around anti-racism at our monthly Food Justice Project meetings (3rd Tues 6:30-8:30pm at CAGJ’s office).
- Form working group to help develop CAGJ Summer School program with racial justice at the core; and other working groups as needed.
- If not already a CAGJ member, become one (no donation required but welcome).
All Racial Justice Leadership Collective Members:
- Read selected readings from Catalyst Project Training Program and discuss.
- Participate in CAGJ’s fundraising team for Got Green’s 10th Anniversary Green-A-Thon to fundraise for our solidarity campaign partner: a grassroots, POC-led food justice organization.
What is the Catalyst Project and the Anne Braden Anti-Racism Training?
This 4-month political education and leadership development program is designed to support the vision, strategy, and organizing skills of white activists in becoming accountable, principled anti-racist organizers building multiracial movements for justice. The program includes 3 intensive 4-day workshops in person, one-on-one mentorship, readings, research homework, small group support, and grassroots fundraising.
Read more about Catalyst Project here, and more about the program here!
