IC What's Up!

AUGUST 2021

SPECIAL YOUTH EDITION
THIS MONTH

We celebrated Precious Brady-Davis' Book Tour + IncluCity Reunion
...
LeadDIVERSITY Advocates for Cohort 3 Advocates had their meet and greet
UPCOMING

August 23 - Visit our table at UNO's Durango Days
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. under the Bell Tower
...
August 24 - Visit our table at Iowa Western Community College for their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Club Fair
10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m at the Student Center, Reiver Room
...
September 1 - UNO Dialogue Project - we're talking about cannabis culture and legislation
3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Milo Bail Ballroom
AWARENESS

August is Black Business Month
...
The redistricting process has started
A NOTE FROM COLIN MCGREW
Following the wisdom of our youth
This month we're using our newsletter to center our youth - it's the "Youthsletter," if you will. I've been trying to make that name happen all week. As the youngest member of the Inclusive Communities staff, I'm sharing some thoughts in this space on behalf of our team.

I often equate wisdom and the ability to be a role model as a capacity earned by age. I thought it was simple math, the more years you've had on earth means that you've had more time to make mistakes, learn from them, and thus pass down those lessons to a younger audience. However, in the last few years I've had this simple model of how to be a good role model or leader, challenged over and over. Now don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of folks in my orbit that mentor me and provide inspiration who are in fact, older, but the more I open my mind to finding role models and inspiration in all ages, the more I find myself tapping into the raw emotions of hope and joy.

Many of the inspiring figures that have entered my life have come through our IncluCity program. This 4-day camp inherently attracts young people who have an innate passion for creating communities of equity, fairness, and love. It is through their affinity for challenging systems and asking the questions of “why?” that I am motivated to continue this work of challenging myself and the systems I navigate with a sense of curiosity and desire to combat social and institutional inequities that rage on in our society.

We often look at these young people as having “wisdom beyond their years”. The privilege of working with them has really challenged this notion for me. Wisdom, for me, can no longer be coupled with age or years on this earth. Instead, wisdom and the knowledge to do and be better seems to be rooted in something that we as people gain at a much earlier age. Wisdom instead, is the ability to live out the values that unite us in community and do so in a way that is authentic and unapologetic.

I say all of this in hopes of challenging the notion that wisdom, leadership, and power is something that should be earmarked for people of a certain age. The problems that we face as a society that we face today including, but certainly not limited to systemic racism rooted in anti-blackness, climate change and a global pandemic, seem to bring with them an “unprecedented time” nearly every day.

I do not want to minimize the amazing work that is being done to address the problems we see as a society, not at all, instead what I suggest is the further investment in our young people. Not minimizing them to the expectations or roles that have been placed on them by the generations before. Allowing young people to have a stake and voice in decision making that will ultimately impact them. Let us tap into their wisdom and passion. This is not a new thought, but as a person who works closely with young folks, I think it's important to write this message as a reminder. To the young people in my life and to those that are not, thank you for your leadership and dedication to making this work better.
It's All About Youth!
Mekhi Wells – IncluCity Alum and Volunteer

I attended IncluCity in 2019. It had a big impact at North High School for me because I felt different about expressing myself and showing everyone who I was no matter what. IncluCity has made me feel more accepting of myself and everyone else. I have felt like it really made me stronger and that I am able to do things more comfortably and be myself a lot more often. It was a really good experience because I was able to be around so many other people who also were in my shoes. Such a good time I had, I’m never going to forget what it's done for me and I’m forever grateful to have gone.

For anyone else going to the camp, it's a great time and you will not regret it. Everyone is so nice, and they'll help you with anything you need. A great and safe space for anyone. IncluCity is important because it shows people how safe and sound they can be and how to truly be themselves and overcome hardships they may come across. My favorite thing about camp was being together and knowing that we're here for each other and got each other's backs. I want to come back to camp to feel that feeling of having fun and learning at the same time, and I’ll continue to support the program because it’s a good group that really needs all the support because of how great it is for everyone.
Craig Wiles – 5th Grade Teacher at Crestridge School of International Studies and Dual Language Elementary School

For the past two years, my 5th grade students at Crestridge International and Dual Language School, have been engaged in learning about redlining with the Teachers Scholars Academy under the direction of Dr. Gerry Huber, and Inclusive Communities. Our students engage in studying seven major categories and lead table talks with adults from Minnesota to Omaha. Students cover education, economics, housing and transportation, health, segregation, current practices, and employment.  

Inclusive Communities helps prepare our students with learning diversity, helping our students understand and lead table talk discussions, and most importantly helping our students engage in deep dives into equity and how it affects our community. To broaden the understanding of history and how we have gotten to where we are now. The biggest piece is the Call to Action for our students, and community to keep moving forward as a society and not backwards. 
Reunited and it feels so good!
On August 1 we got together to celebrate AnyTown (now IncluCity) alumna Precious Brady-Davis and the release of her new memoir, "I Have Always Been Me." We also took the opportunity to bring together our past camp delegates, our awesome volunteers and so many wonderful folks who make up the Inclusive Communities family.

It was great to hear Precious' story and how Inclusive Communities played a role in her path. And we got to hear what IncluCity means to them from some of our past camp delegates who have returned as volunteers.
Cornelius, Tena, and Jenny catching up!
Precious' friends show off their books at the photo booth!
Ugo telling Robbie the funniest story ever!
IncluCity Alumni Share About Camp!
YOUTH IN ACTION
Recently many young people in our community showed up at the Board of Education meeting in Lincoln to advocate for updated Health Education Standards - something that will directly affect them. The day before we heard from them at Stinson Park where the message was overwhelmingly the same. We need health education that is medically accurate and supportive of all identities.

Their testimony showed us that they want health education that is complete and reflective of the experiences that they are navigating everyday. We heard our youth talk about their desire to have equal representation in their Health Education Standards - like including intersectional identities across gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, sex assigned at birth, and race.

Many of them expressed that they have come to rely solely on the internet and social media for information regarding their health and would instead like to have these discussions in school with trusted adults, educators, and role models.

They assert that comprehensive health education literally has the power to save their lives.

Our youth are telling us in no uncertain terms, what they need from the Nebraska education system. At Inclusive Communities, we are in solidarity with them and we think it's time to listen.

These young advocates for inclusive health education have asked for support in the following ways:

  • Providing testimony and written support for Nebraska Health Education Standards that are honest, inclusive and equitable.

  • Reaching out to the young people in your life to see how you can offer your support to them in their advocacy efforts.

  • Authentically listening to the young people in our community that are voicing their desire to have comprehensive and inclusive Health Education Standards in the state of Nebraska.
Inclusive Communities | 6400 University Drive N, CEC 122, Omaha, Nebraska 68182-0868 | www.inclusive-communities.org