Rest is Resistance: Reflections From Our Org Break
Greetings SNS community, Earlier this year, I read Tricia Hersey’s revolutionary book, Rest Is Resistance, a manifesto that charges us to reclaim our power and humanity by prioritizing rest. I found myself personally validated by her assertions of the particular labor that is required and demanded of Black women, and inspired by visions of […]
Honoring the Memory of a SNS Champion
Charles C. Brown was one of SNS earliest and strongest supporters. As Whitney’s mentor and vocal coach, under whose leadership she sang for close to a decade, he consistently volunteered his musical talents, performing at several home and church seed fundraisers to get SNS off the ground. Most notably, in 2018 Charles founded and co-led with Mimi Bornstein the […]
Answer the Call: Dismantle Anti-Blackness
We are hurting. As a Black-led organization, our team is reeling from the racist mass shooting in Buffalo this weekend that took 10 lives and injured three people. We are holding multiple angles of pain as we mourn the senseless loss, feel deep empathy for the victims’ loved ones, and seethe at the constant attack […]
Get Uncomfortable: Black Lives Depend On It
It is time to get uncomfortable. It is time that people recognize difficult truths about systemic racism, and actively pursue justice.
In Solidarity with our Asian-American Siblings
Soon Chung Park Hyun Jung Grant Suncha Kim Yong Ae Yue Delaina Ashley Yaun Paul Andre Michels Xiaojie Tan Daoyou Feng These are the names of the eight people who were senselessly killed at three Atlanta-area spas on Tuesday night. My heart aches for these lives cut short so brutally. My deepest condolences extend to […]
Response to this week’s attacks: what side we will be on.
On August 12, 2017, I was in Charlottesville as a counter protester with a deep conviction that vitriol must always be confronted, that communities must be supported when facing harm, and that fear could never be used to intimidate and stop justice. I watched in horror and fear as white supremacists violently took over Charlottesville […]
Post-Election Message: Hope and Measure During These Times
Four years ago, I reflected deeply about the implications of the 2016 elections. The months of rhetoric that had been pervasive during the election season, and throughout my life, had led me to conclude that it was not my responsibility to address racism and sexism as a Black woman. I had finally developed clarity that […]
This is Personal
I am writing this message as a Black woman. I came off a solemn but restful Memorial Day weekend to news of the blatant and brutal reminders of anti-Blackness racism—a reality that has, in many ways, shaped my entire life in this Black body. I watched with aggravation, the video of a white woman weaponizing […]
Shared Humanity During Global Pandemic
I hope that this message finds you well and healthy. As the world responds to COVID-19, I am struck by how much this pandemic has impacted my life in so little time. Navigating business implications, managing social distancing, and concern for loved ones seems to be all-consuming—all while monitoring 24-hour updates from news outlets. While […]
Introducing SNS’ New Chief Operating Officer!
I am thrilled to announce our new Chief Operating Officer, Samson Girma! I first had the honor of working with Samson when we served on the same team during our Americorps year with City Year, DC over eight years ago. I was inspired by his work ethic, visionary ideas, team player attitude, and commitment to […]