~~ March 2021 Newsletter ~~
A Message From Our Co-CEO's
How Long 'Til…? “How long?!?” expresses frustration we have all known. “I could have had it all done if these people would just listen!” “What is the big deal about this? Why did they get so mad?”

We know the feelings. We get tired of pussyfooting. We want to see changes!

And we know that not doing the process work ends up with fractures in fragile relationships and even abandonment of good collaborative efforts. We have seen the hurt and disappointment of not doing our prep work. We know about the need for learning, hearing, trusting, planning, trying – and then going back and trying again when it isn’t quite right the first time. The African proverb says it well: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I want fast and far. It’s kind of the American way, right? I’ll do it my way – the only way – or the highway…
 
Amanda Gorman’s poem for Inauguration Day helps us: “a country that isn’t broken, just unfinished”...“not to forge a perfect union, but ...a country with purpose”...“victory in the bridges we build” - not the battles or arguments or power we win.
 
When we learn to talk without dominating, to listen without preconceived ideas, to plan from the perspective of the one most affected by outcomes, we have a chance of stepping into and back out of the past, with purpose. We learn to really see - to understand. We have a chance of actually repairing and finishing what’s not yet working.
 
We can learn to do the process work better. We want to be ready for the long haul of changing our own hurried and thoughtless habits of conversation.

LET'S GET THERE TOGETHER!

Marsha Summers & Danita Rountree Green, Co-CEO's

March CTTT - RVA Family Gathering

Celebrating Women's History
~ Black Feminism & Intersectionality ~
(3rd Tuesday Gathering)

Tuesday, March 16th 6:30 - 8:30 pm EST
Not Yo Mammy Anymore:
Implicit Bias, Intersectionality
& the Impact of Black Women in the New Millennium

During national Women's History Month, join us for a time of celebrating phenomenal average Black women while exploring stereotypes and other implicit biases, power differentials and more at the intersections, particularly of race and gender.

We're very excited to welcome our guests, Charlene Sinclair and Bonita Kirk, who describe themselves as "average Black women, phenomenal are we!"

This promises to be a challenging and edgy event in the best sense, and we look forward to co-creating safe and brave space for learning and allowing ourselves to step outside our comfort zones!

For some background learning about "intersectional feminism", here's an interview with law professor Kimberlé Crenshaw, who originally coined the term and developed the concept of "intersectionality."


Education For Action Book Circle
(2nd Thursday of the Month)
Thursday, March 11th
Via Zoom
6:30 - 8:00 pm EST
Throughout 2021, the Education For Action Book Circle will be taking a deep dive into:

Black Reconstruction in America, 1860 - 1880
by W.E.B. Du Bois

In preparation for our March circle, we are reading chapter 5, The Coming of the Lord.

Du Bois’ game-changing reading of the vital role of the enslaved liberating themselves and taking up arms in the ending of the Civil War should be required reading especially for anyone living in the South. Join us as we continue to mine Du Bois’ analysis of the first reconstruction period for indispensable insight about how we understand and act in this Third Reconstruction moment.

Contact Darren for more information.
Movie Circle
(4th Monday of the month)

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of
Madam C.J. Walker

Monday, March 22nd
Conversation via Zoom
6:30 - 7:30 pm EST
In honor of the 2021 National Women's History Month, we have selected Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker. Starring Octavia Spencer, this film chronicles the incredible story of Madam C.J. Walker, who was the first female African American self-made millionaire. Her life's mission was to appreciate and care for the array of beauty portrayed by Black women and their hair. Movie critics warned there was some "artistic license" to heighten the drama and some complained of "colorism."

We will discuss all this and more at our Zoom meeting. Please watch the movie prior to our gathering and come prepared to participate in a facilitated small group breakout session. Registration is limited and the registration deadline is March 20th.

Self-Made... is available on Netflix in 4 episodes, 50 min each.
RAW Truth Session #3
with Thad Williamson, PhD

Wednesday, April 28th
Via Zoom
7:00 – 8:30 pm EST
Racism At Work in Economics and Community Wealth Building

~~~~~~~~~~~

SCHEDULING UPDATE
 
  • There will be no March RAW Truth Session.

  • Dr. Williamson’s presentation is being moved forward a month and a registration link will be included in the early April newsletter and in a separate event invitation email, as well as on our website.
 
Suggested Readings:

Thad Williamson, (Cheats Movement RVA Blog / July 19. 2020)
 
Thad Williamson, (Boston Review / February 22, 2018)
 
Summary of RAW Truth Session #2 with Rev Ben Campbell on Richmond’s Unhealed History.
 
What Is RAW?
Racism At Work (RAW) Truth Sessions allow participants the opportunity to explore how the social constructs of race and racism have been intentionally and systematically woven into the very fabric of American society in general, and Richmond in particular. 
 
Upcoming RAW Truth Sessions
May 26: Racism At Work in Housing and Personal Wealth Building - Martin Wegbreit, Director of Litigation, Central Virginia Legal Aid Society 
 
Future RAW Truth sessions explore: Racism At Work in: / Education / Healthcare/ Social Justice / Politics / Media and Entertainment / Employment / Sports and more.

For more information email our working group!
Reading For Change Book Circle
(4th Thursday of the month)
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
 by Isabel Wilkerson
Thursday, March 25th
Via Zoom
6:30 – 8:30 pm EST
Come discuss the Wilkerson's book which examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. As described in GoodReads...

“As we go about our daily lives, caste is the wordless usher in a darkened theater, flashlight cast down in the aisles, guiding us to our assigned seats for a performance. The hierarchy of caste is not about feelings or morality. It is about power—which groups have it and which do not.

Linking the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson explores eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations, including divine will, bloodlines, stigma, and more.

Beautifully written, original, and revealing, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents is an eye-opening story of people and history, and a reexamination of what lies under the surface of ordinary lives and of America life today."

Email our co-conveners team to be added to our Book Circle mailing list to receive an invitation and Zoom details.

Reparations Circle

Advocating For Just Laws

Monday March 29th
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm EST

Although VA has seen some movement over the past couple of years as it pertains to the law, it still has a long way to go. Come join us as we collectively discuss how CTTT - RVA can dismantle racism using the law.
Healing and Mending:
Our Relationships, Our Institutions, Our History & Our Theology

Wednesdays in March at 7:30 pm EST

First Presbyterian Church will be offering 4 unique presentations by scholar-leaders to learn more about how to heal the woulds of oppression and the sin of racism. Each lecture will feature time for Questions and answers. All lectures are free and no sign up necessary. 

In This Issue...

1.Message from Co-CEO's

2.Celebrating Women's History: Black Feminism & Intersectionality

3.Education For Action Book Circle

4.Movie Circle

5.Racism At Work (RAW)

6.Reading For Change Book Circle

7.Reparations Circle
HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS
(RVA): CTTT - RVA Event
(NAT): CTTT - National Event

Thursday, March 11th
6:30 - 8:00 pm EST
Education For Action Book Circle via ZOOM.
Contact Darren to be added to mailing list.
(RVA)

CTTT Guided Meditation via ZOOM
Contact Hayat w/questions after checking out above link
(NAT)

Monthly CTTT - RVA 3rd Tuesday Family Gathering via ZOOM . Contact Hayat for more info. (RVA)

Movie Circle Conversation via ZOOM (RVA)

Reading For Change Book Circle via ZOOM Contact Book Circle Co-Conveners to be added to mailing list. (RVA)

Advocating for just laws via ZOOM Reparations Circle (RVA)
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
-Harriet Tubman
CTTT - RVA 3rd Tuesday Family Gathering
Theme Calendar
MARCH
Women’s History ~
Black Feminism & Intersectionality
APRIL
Taking Care of Each Other & the Earth

MAY
People Over Prisons ~ Freedom Fighters

JUNE
Making Room at the Table ~ Celebrating Inclusivity

JULY
Local Heroes ~ Celebrate Richmond

AUGUST
Sacred Ground ~ Preserve the Past

SEPTEMBER
Family Reunion ~ Art & Culture

OCTOBER
Monuments & Movements

NOVEMBER
Truth & Reconciliation ~ Remembering our Ancestors

DECEMBER
Giving Back ~ Reparations
Interested in making a difference in the life of local Richmond young woman?
~~~
Fighting for Forgotten Women
A local nonprofit youth development organization aimed at empowering Black girls and other girls of color in Central Virginia to visualize their bright futures and potential through discovery, development, innovation, and social change in their communities.
“Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.”
-Coretta Scott King
“You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.”
-Shirley Chisolm

CTTT - RVA Family Reunion!

CTTT - RVA has designated September as Family Reunion month. It's an opportunity for us to gather, share and connect with others within and across racial lines to develop and deepen relationships. We would like to explore the possibility of providing an outside, in person, COVID-19 conscious event that will enable our collective family to gather, celebrate, laugh, heal, organize and re-energize.
Would you like to help plan this event? (If so, we'll be in touch!)
Yes
No
House Judiciary Committee
Holds HR 40 Hearing

On Wednesday, Feb 17th, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on HR 40.


Click here to see a list of the articles that discuss the hearing
If you would like to join the Reparations Circle to learn more about opportunities with which you can help, please join us.

THE COSMONAUTS:
21 Black Women Who Were Ahead of Their Time

This Women’s History Month take flight with GirlTrek as they set out on a 21-day journey to walk and talk about the Black women who dared to dream a new world for us.

9am PT | 10am MT | 11am CT | 12pm ET
Weekdays, March 1 - 29, 2020

Dial-in: 1 (646) 876-9923 CODE: 734464325

If you would like to join the GirlTrek viral walking podcast journey, 


 Sign Up to become a Coming To The Table national member
We encourage all CTTT - RVA members to also become members of Coming To The Table at the national level. Our local chapter is part of a big family all across our nation, under a collective umbrella.

As a member of Coming To The Table, you become part of a nationwide community committed to truth-telling, transformation and liberation. 

There's no membership fee to join Coming To The Table, but the ability for CTTT to meet ever-growing needs, including providing support to our local chapter, depends on the generous financial support of our members. So we hope you will contribute financially, as you are able.
Available Now!

Protect yourself and others! Proudly display your commitment to racial healing and justice during the Covid-19 pandemic with this Coming To The Table logo Face Mask. All profits will go to support the work of Coming To The Table. More information can be found here.
Take the next step!
Become a CTTT - RVA volunteer!
Leslie Crabbs, Newsletter Layout Editor
Hayat Bain, Coordinator of Communications & Partnerships
Coming To The Table - RVA