Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.
– Thomas Jefferson
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We asked you to “Activate!” and you did!
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Fit Oshkosh Superheroes from all over the state made our second annual Color-Brave Community Dinner extraordinary!
“The dinner was a good change from normal fundraisers I have attended in the past,” attendee John Keller said. “The Fit Oshkosh dinner brought in real people, passionate and committed to the mission who are wanting to make a real change in our community. It wasn't the normal who's who that you see at other fundraisers.”
Here are just a few highlights:
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We surpassed the audacious superhero-size goal of raising a $10,000 matching donation!
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We raised over 33% more money than last year.
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Ticket sales revealed that we had 3 times more people in attendance this year than last.
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We had a marked increase in our profits from the raffle and silent auction.
A big part of the success was due to the help
of House of Heroes, 407 N. Main, Oshkosh, a great comic book store. Store owner Scott Derks searched through all his materials to find great images of Superheroes of color. He provided wonderful posters and a big cutout, with which many people posed for selfies. “The store is awesome and everyone should drop by,” according to Karen Bowen, who organized the dinner.
We also want to thank LaSure's banquet hall for service that was virtually flawless, for great food and especially for their kindness to our hard-working, frazzled organizers.
Clearly, this event was successful in showing that there are many people who believe that Oshkosh and our region can be more welcoming and more racially literate and there is a core group of people who are eager to try and make it happen.
So, mark next year’s calendar now. The next Color-Brave Dinner is Thursday,
August 9, 2018
to enjoy another great success.
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Book Signing event and
Color-Brave Library Open House
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The Guide for White Women Who Teach Black Boys
will be the topic of a discussion at Fit Oshkosh. One of the editors
Marguerite Penick-Parks, will lead a discussion and be available to sign books.
Many of the books recommended by Penick-Parks are in the Fit Oshkosh Color-Brave Lending Library and will be featured at the event. Attendees can tour the library and borrow from our collection of more than 500 books and resources.
Penick-Parks is a professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at UW Oshkosh,
Eddie Moore, Jr., and Ali Michael are also editors of the book.
Each chapter offers poignant personal stories and up-to-date research while weaving together voices of multiple authors. One featured author is Fit Oshkosh co-founder Dr. Jennifer Chandler.
“Approximately eight in ten teachers in the United States are white. Any White woman who aspires to responsibly and effectively demonstrate educational care for Black boys will find much that is useful in this text,” said Shaun Harper, a professor at the University of Southern California.
The event is free to attend, but an rsvp is required.
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Where:
Fit Oshkosh
36 Broad St., Oshkosh
When:
Wednesday, Oct. 18,
5:15 to 6:15 pm
Cost:
Free
Pre-register:
- click the link below to register or ask questions
- or call: 920-267-8687
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Color-Brave Community Conversation: Race, Gender, & Video Games
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Most Americans are not aware of the negative representations of racial minority groups and women in video games.
In this Color-Brave Community Conversation we will explore these negative representations as well as the encouraging trend toward positive representations of racial minority groups and women.
We will conclude with action steps to change the narrative.
This event is co-sponsored by the UW Oshkosh Women’s Center and Fit Oshkosh.
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Where:
UWO Oshkosh
Sage Hall, Room 1210
835 High Ave., Oshkosh
When:
Monday, Oct. 30,
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Cost:
Free
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Bailey named Fit Oshkosh Board President
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Morgan Bailey became interested in working with Fit Oshkosh after attending the Color-Brave Community Movie,
I Am Not a Racist, Am I?
at West High School. He has been participating ever since and recently became the new board president.
“People of Color in Oshkosh still face housing discrimination, institutional racism and racialized engagement,” Bailey said. “On a national level, witnessing recurring loss of life of young men of color and the fear and loss of trust between citizens and law enforcement is a retraction of progress. If there is a way for me to humbly lend a voice to needed conversation and engagement to collectively build value for all the human capital of this community, its time, at least for me.”
We will miss the leadership of Marijke van Roojen, who Bailey replaces as Board President. She has accepted a position with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services as the Out-of-Hospital Outreach Coordinator for the Wisconsin Newborn Screening Program, which will take a big share of her time. But she won’t be going far away. She will continue to co-train, develop curriculum and facilitate at Fit.
More about both Morgan Bailey and Marijke van Roojen on our website:
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TedXOshkosh features Robertson
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Tracey Robertson will be one of 14 speakers at a TEDxOshkosh event, on November 4 at the Grand Opera House. Her presentation will consider how we can come together as a community and create magic in the lives of Black girls.
Like much of the country, Northeast Wisconsin is “browning.” According to the census bureau, within 30 years there will be more People of Color in the US than white. But, Tracey asks, “Where are the opportunities for girls of color?”
Attendees can view all or some of the presentations or videos throughout the day. Lunch is provided at restaurants near the Grand for the first 325 people who register. Later registrations will include lunch as a carry-out. Snacks and beverages will be furnished during breaks. The cost of food is included in the ticket price.
TED Talks began at a conference on Technology, Entertainment and Design, but now speakers cover all topics and ideas worth spreading. “TEDx” includes locally organized events.
The Grand Opera House box office will
not
be handling ticket sales.
All
registrations are online through Eventbrite. Ticket sales end November 3.
If you have questions about registration or about the event, contact TEDxOshkosh directly with button at the right.
Ticket prices are: Main floor, $49; balcony, $69; Suite seating in the balcony, $89 (these seats are further from the stage, but offer twice as much leg room.)
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Where:
Grand Opera House
100 High Ave., Oshkosh
When:
Saturday, November 4,
8 am to 6 pm
Cost:
$49 to $89
includes lunch and snacks
Tickets: available only at Eventbrite
Ticket sales end Nov. 3
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You Can Volunteer for Fit Oshkosh
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You don’t have to be a rocket scientist or a retiree (but, yes, we would love to have you) to become a volunteer for Fit Oshkosh.
Our most recent group of volunteer trainees includes a graduate student, a business owner, a homemaker, a writer, an assistant professor in the UWO College of Business, a piano teacher, and a former special educator. Continuing volunteers include elementary teachers, former librarians, pastors, and program assistants.
Some hail from Oshkosh, and others have settled here from across the country. To learn more about some of our newest volunteers, visit our website.
The ways you can help range from greeting community members at Fit events, to facilitating at Color Brave Community Reads, to maintaining computer data in various formats. These are just a few examples. YOU get to choose: what, when and where you are comfortable volunteering.
To find out more about volunteer training, call Fit Oshkosh at 920-267-8687 or click the blue email button.
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Fit Oshkosh is glad you are our neighbor
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Good Neighbor yard signs are available at the Fit Oshkosh office, 36 Broad St., Suite 310, Oshkosh. Each sign is $8. Pick one up at the office or contact Fit at 920-267-8687 or use the email button below. Signs are also available at Fit events
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Fit Oshkosh, Inc.
920-267-8687
colorbraveconversations@gmail.com
fitoshkoshinc.org
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See what's happening on our social sites:
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