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Programs

Just Another Mile

Saturday, February 18, 2023 – 2 PM All Souls UU Church of Greenfield, 399 Church Street, Greenfield MA This documentary film by Gloria Matlock about two historically Black neighborhoods in the small city of Ravenna, Ohio, offers a lens on race in 20th and 21st century America. Program is free… Read More »Just Another Mile

Reparations Teach-In

Reparations Teach-In

Monday, February 21st, 2022, 7:00-8:30pm, via Zoom—An introduction to the five
components of reparations, as defined by the United
Nations. Utilizing this framework, participants will
have the opportunity to learn about and discuss
reparative actions for African Americans in the nation
and our region.
“Reparations is a process of repairing, healing and restoring a
people injured because of their group identity and in violation
of their fundamental human rights by governments,
corporations, institutions and families.”
N’COBRA: National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America

Stop Asian Hate: China Is Not Our Enemy

Saturday, February 5 at 1:00 p.m. EST, via Zoom, with Allison Lau—Anti-Asian sentiment and hate crimes against Asians in the U.S. have been increasing since the beginning of the pandemic. This violence is directly linked with the U.S’s current engagement in multidomain “hybrid warfare” with China. The only way to stop violence against Asians domestically is to stop the U.S’s aggression and hybrid war on China. China is not our enemy!

Know Your Rights

Know Your Rights

Monday, October 4, 2021 at 7 p.m. with Rebecca Kozak of the National Lawyers Guild—Learn about your rights and effective tactics if you have an encounter with the police!

TBR Workplan

Is Policing With HEART Possible?

Monday, July 26 at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., via Zoom—The Black and Brown community has been calling for change for many years, especially with the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade. That is what prompted the creation of The Cambridge Holistic Emergency Alternative Response Team (HEART).

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Creating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, with Varinda Robinson and Letha King Brooks

Two career educators engage in dialogue about moving diversity, equity, and inclusion from words to actions, benefiting the experiences and outcomes of both students and staff. This thought-provoking session will likely ask more questions than it answers as participants consider the experiences that have shaped their lives. Those present will gain greater cultural awareness while addressing implicit bias, resulting in greater understanding, productivity, and inclusiveness. 

Jennifer Packer

Upsetting Expectations: Looking At Black Contemporary Art with Whitney Robbins

“Upsetting Expectations: Looking at Black Contemporary Art,” will be held Saturday at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Whitney Robbins, a social justice advocate, will create a discussion surrounding a selection of artwork by Black artists and how art can serve as a visual language of the oppressed.

“I’m hoping that looking at Black contemporary artists can allow us to think symbolically and metaphorically about race and racism,” Robbins said. Her goal is to get the community thinking about the past and present, challenging stereotypes and being honest about what they see the moment they view this art.

Culture of Reparations

Building a Culture of Reparations, with Dr. David Ragland

Building a Culture of Reparations examines the history, spiritual, conceptual (ethical and moral), and practical dimensions of reparations as a global movement.

Dr. Ragland will speak about the various ways ordinary people can build a spiritual and practical culture of reparative justice work. There will be time for questions, and the sponsors will send you off with several immediate, accessible, joyful actions you can take towards healing and reparation work.

Food Forests

Food Forests

Saturday, February 20 2021 via zoom Eliza Caldwell and Adam Matlock joined us to talk about Food Forests, a strategy for sustainable gardening that can serve as a model of future resilience and mitigate food desert conditions in predominantly Black and Latino communities. View the video

The Harvest/La Cosecha

September 10-15, 2020 This free online screening of the award winning documentary The Harvest/La Cosecha, presented by Racial Justice Rising and Greening Greenfield, was RJR’s first venture into online educational programming. 64 people attended. The documentary was available for viewing via a special link over the course of 5 days. On the evening… Read More »The Harvest/La Cosecha

Palestine Solidarity

Palestine Solidarity

March 7, 2020 Palestinians are classified as refugees by the United Nations. Topics will include a historical overview, Palestinian resistance, Israeli and U.S solidarity, and a look toward the future. This program is supported in part by grants from the Amherst, Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont-Hawley, Conway, Gill, Greenfield, Heath, Montague, New… Read More »Palestine Solidarity

homeless advocates

Homelessness: A Discussion with Arise For Social Justice

January 4, 2020 A discussion about homelessness with members of Arise for Social Justice of Springfield, including Executive Director Tanisha Arena, homelessness organizer Johnie Sanders, and Arise member Levi Taylor. In the News… Greenfield Recorder 1/6/2020: Advocates For the Homeless Dispute Myths At Greenfield Forum, Editorial in Greenfield Recorder 1/22/2020:Many… Read More »Homelessness: A Discussion with Arise For Social Justice

Food Justice, HipHop, and Race

Saturday, February 2, 2019 A conversation with Gardening the Community Co-Executive Director Ibrahim Ali Ibrahim will speak about his understanding of food justice, the important link between hiphop and food, and how race and racism play out in his role at Gardening The Community. Learn more about Gardening the Community

10th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, January 5, 2019 Racial Justice Rising’s 10th anniversary. Enjoy a feat of delicious cultural dishes! 10:15 a.m.— 12:15 p.m. Doors open at 9:45 a.m.First Congregational Church, 43 Silver Street, Greenfield MA Thank you Greenfield Recorder for your article about the event. View the video! REPARATIONS RESOURCES shared during the… Read More »10th Anniversary Celebration

Just Another Mile

Saturday, December 1, 2018 This documentary film by Gloria Matlock about two historically Black neighborhoods in the small city of Ravenna, Ohio, offers a lens on race in 20th and 21st century America. Greenfield Recorder article about Just Another Mile  

Wisdom from the Indigenous Elders

Saturday, November 3, 2018 with Lessert Moore, enrolled member of the Ogalala Lakota Sioux, and Grandmother Nancy Ardry, a traditional native healer and storyteller of Algonquin and French heritage.

Voices of Dissent, Music of Activism

Saturday, September 1, 2018 with Licia Sky, Irene I-SHEA Shailkly, Adam Matlock, & Gloria Matlock and Michael Nix More about the performers: Sana and I-Shea’s band, Jam Atan Abina Gloria Matlock and Michael Nix Licia Sky Adam Matlock– An Historic– Dr. Caterwaul’s Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps– Adam’s YouTube Channel 

Organizing for Education Justice

August 28, 2017 with Marianna Islam Learn about what is possible when educators, students, parents and community members join forces to improve public education. Learn about the challenges and opportunities for education justice organizing in Massachusetts. Links Schott Foundation – http://schottfoundation.org/       – resources: http://schottfoundation.org/resources       – webinars:… Read More »Organizing for Education Justice

50 People, 40 Questions

May 6, 2018 Discover the similarities and the differences that bind us and separate us. How important are the differences? How real are they? Everyone present will be included in an active exploration of the things we have in common and those we don’t. Inspired by 40 Strangers, 50 Questions… Read More »50 People, 40 Questions

Youth Speak Out

Saturday, April 7, 2018 A panel of area teens will speak about their hopes and concerns, in their lives, in their schools, & in our society. Topics may include school shootings, our education system, difficulties faced by marginalized groups, environmental issues…. Adults and youth are invited to attend. Story about… Read More »Youth Speak Out

Step Up! Bystander Training

March 3, 2018 with Strong Oak This interactive workshop has an intersectional, antiracist approach to oppression. In it, we will: Article about workshop in Greenfield Recorder 

13TH, Film Screening & Discussion

January 6, 2018 An in-depth look at the United States’ prison system and how it reveals the nation’s history of racism. After viewing part of the film, we brainstormed actions we can take, including: Developing skills and resources: Working for system change: Offering personal support:

Race and Religion

December 2, 2017 with Tim Bullock, Abrah Dresdale, Gloria Matlock, Asima Silva, and Ted Todd Links: Greenfield Recorder, 11/30/17: Greenfield Discussion To Explore Religion, Race Greenfield Recorder, 12/2/17: Panelists Explore Religion’s Role in Racial Divide Asima’s website Abrah’s website Peace Pagoda website

Grandmother Teachings

November 4 and 5, 2017 with Grandmother Jeorgina Larocqueman) Join Sagaligesw (Plant Woman) A Mi’kmaq, Grandmother from New Brunswick. Saturday, 10:15 a.m.— 12:15 p.m.First Congregational Church, 43 Silver Street, Greenfield MA Saturday starting at 2 & Sunday 10 a.m. -4 p.m.Deerfield Business Center, 110 N. Hillside Rd., S. Deerfield MA… Read More »Grandmother Teachings

Organizing for Education Justice

August 26,2017 with Marianna Islam Learn about what is possible when educators, students, parents and community members join forces to improve public education. Learn about the challenges and opportunities for education justice organizing in Massachusetts. Presenter Marianna Islam, Director of Programs and Advocacy at the Schott Foundation for Public Education,… Read More »Organizing for Education Justice

Racial Justice In The Courts

May 27, 2017 with Buz Eisenberg Racial Justice Rising invites you to join Ashfield Attorney Buz Eisenberg for a presentation on the racial inequities of our criminal legal system. Attorney Eisenberg has practiced law in the region for over 3 decades and has handled a variety of criminal, civil and… Read More »Racial Justice In The Courts

Have You Seen My Childhood?

May 6, 2017 with Karmen Smith Understanding Grief in Adopted Children, with a focus on transracial adoptions Adoptees and foster children struggle with grief and loss throughout their lives . In this workshop, family , friends, and helping professionals will increase their understanding of the intersectionality of adoption, human development, and… Read More »Have You Seen My Childhood?

Building Relationships between Our Community and the Police, A Community Forum with Greenfield Police Chief Robert Haigh

October 1, 2016 Facilitated by Keyedrya Jacobs & Robert Tobin According to RJR organizers Gloria Matlock and Sherrill Hogen, “In light of recent events locally and nationally, the intention of the program is to assure Black and Brown people in the community that they can expect fair treatment and that they… Read More »Building Relationships between Our Community and the Police, A Community Forum with Greenfield Police Chief Robert Haigh

Local Speakout on Racism and Violence

September 10, 2016 with Gloria Matlock and Keyedrya Jacobs Recent escalating violence on Black people and Black organizations, local hate-based occurrances, and how do we deal with the distress of these times? What allies can do to help. Thanks to Nur Tiven for the design of this compelling poster!

Our Stories of White Privilege, Then & Now

January 9, 2016 With Sister Clare Carter, Natan Cohen, Bob Cooley, Ya-Ping Douglass, Alex Fischer, Teegrey Iannuzzi, Brenda Ross. Moderated by Gloria Matlock Links  Crossing the Waters Institute for Cultural Exchange Lost River Racial Justice New England Peace Pagoda Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage

One People, One Earth

June 6, 2015 with Brother NorthStar View a video of the program Links Brother NorthStar’s website Link to part 2 Link to part 3 Selected comments Brother NorthStar’s style is captivating, empowering the level of information. Goes to the core of life. Appreciated his generosity of spirit & open-heated sharing.… Read More »One People, One Earth

Black Lives/Black History

April 11, 2015 with Gloria De,Layne Matlock and Adam Matlock Through conversation and performance, Adam and Gloria will share stories about their lives—as Black boy and man, as Black mother raising a Black son, and as performers, and about how historic happenings like the 1921 Black Wall Street massacre in… Read More »Black Lives/Black History

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