Welcome to the I Am Why blog!
Here I Am Why’s consultants, staff and partners write about what’s happening at I Am Why, our values and our take on the issues that matter to us most.
The State of Blackness and Our Relation to Change
For many people, February 2023 was a time to learn about Black history by uplifting important figures of the past and present-day times. At I Am Why our Justice Initiatives team decided to give reverence to Black culture by taking time to acknowledge the past while...
Mentorship + Emergent Strategies = Emergent Leaders
In I Am Why’s book circle, we focus on more than reading. We also grow our community through team building, which is part of I Am Why’s model of mentorship. The book circle reached a milestone in the month of January: We completed Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree...
She Writes: A Response to The Little Book of Race and Restorative Justice
She Writes A Response to The Little Book of Race and Restorative Justice, by Fania E. Davis Ani Bere A Enso Gya Asase Ye Duru Dear Ms. Davis, Our book circle has read your book, small but packed with so much power. We completed this read before the break of...
Tradition
In honor of Indigenous Heritage Month Trusting one another, Respecting what is being shared, A teaching moment, Direct from ancestors that were forced Into institutions, That created friction and diminished our cultures. Initiating our heritage and being Open to...
Part 2: Modern Day Genocide, They Are Doing this All Over Again to Us
Part 2: Modern day genocide, they are doing this all over again to us. The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) was passed in 1978 because Indigenous children and youth were being removed from their homes at far higher rates than other children and youth. Research from the...
Part 1: Modern day genocide, they are doing this all over again to us
Part 1: Modern day genocide, they are doing this all over again to us. ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) helps us fight to preserve the connection between a child and his or her tribe. If it is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, the children stand to lose so much...
There’s Nothing Like I Am Why’s First Annual Report!
After five years of convening, growing and learning, I Am Why (IAW) officially incorporated as a charitable organization in 2021—and we are thrilled to announce we’ve published our first annual report detailing our vision and accomplishments in IAW’s signature style....
Colorism in Women of Society
While preparing for a webinar on colorism, I Am Why’s Racial Justice Team commissioned me to create a painting on colorism and women of all cultures. They asked me to do this after seeing my “I Am Woman” painting that I created while at Artistic Noise, one of I Am...
At a Glance
A path begun and ended A journey of a life wondering what is the truth to forgiveness She watched through the glass of her eyes To sprinkle glitter and wear pretty bows Or Throw a ball and wear the marks Without a fight or war but left with scars Dreams of being a...
A Day in the Life: 4 Days Old
I start getting ready It’s the baby’s first doctor's appointment today I hadn’t slept at all You are sound asleep I take a picture of the two males in my life that I “love” more than anything He flips over in his sleep and almost hits the baby I get in between I’m so...
Morning Thoughts
Morning Thoughts Movement building through my lens got me stressing I am stressed because my youthfulness won't last forever I was told my voice is power, My leadership will lead others to empowerment My passion wishes and dreams will come true just be consistent...
Vivid Overturning
Vivid Overturning, Samantha Cortez Although this wasn’t a positive inspiration, the first 24 hours of a post-Roe world is what gave me the spark to paint. When creating this piece, I couldn’t help but think of my son. I love my son and would do anything in my power to...
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