On Friday, October 11, 2019, the young people from Mobilizing Youth to Nix Tobacco (MYNT)* of Fresno County, in partnership with Amplify!** ( African American Statewide Coordinating Center), presented the āBuilding Our Futureā Open Mic Night.
The effects of environmental and climate catastrophe are devastating communities on a global scale. Right here in the Central Valley we can feel our summers getting hotter, we taste our water becoming unsafe or scarce altogether, and we see our politicians continuing to collect major dollars from the fossil fuel industry.
My mother named me AlhelĆ. On google images, an AlhelĆ ranges from a small four-petaled flower, similar to Hawaiiās plumeria, to a bunch of small flowers growing up a stem, similar to lavender but fuller. I donāt think I have ever seen one in real life and because of that, I find myself stopping at almost every flower I see, wondering, āCould you be an AlhelĆ?ā
As you probably know, February is Black History Month, a month where famous and influential black members of society are recognized and celebrated. Back in January, Kody, our Program Manager with The kNOw, asked me if I would be interested in doing illustrations that celebrate famous and less well-known leaders in the African American community for Black History Month. I gladly accepted, and Iām glad I did.
On February 11th it was announced that Central Valley Senior Director of Programs Yammilette Ā Rodriguez was awarded the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award. These awards, ārecognize and support individuals who are advancing innovative and effective solutions to significant state issuesā and provide a $250,000Ā investment in the work.
The YLI Fresno Boys and Men of Color (BMoC) is no stranger to leading. From making parks a city-wide conversation, to bringing restorative justiceĀ to Fresno Unified, to getting a Fresno … Continued
Ever ride the bus? When you take the Fresno Area Express (FAX), a would-be 20-minute car ride can easily turn into a 2 Ā½ journey depending on the bus route … Continued
When a critical new law is passed, we celebrate. Thereās that flood of relief, that flush of jubilation, punctuated by cheers, tears, and hugs all around. Those of us who … Continued
