PinnedThe Many Generational Harms of the Family Policing System Written by Tanesha Grant Edited by Paulette WoodardFor as long as I can remember I've wanted my mother. I think being adopted makes you want your family more. I was born in 1976. My mother was 26 when she had me. She already had 3 boys and a little girl; I was her 5th child. When she…Adoption7 min readAdoption7 min read
May 28Kindness Goes A Long WayKindness Goes A Long Way Written and Edited by Paulette Woodard It’s Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start to Summer 2023. The next few days, for most, are laden with gatherings, visits to the beach, movies, and other fun things to do. I went to a birthday party last evening…3 min read3 min read
May 12Why did Jordan Neely die?By Suzie Baer Edited by Paulette Woodard I’m a white woman who rides the subway regularly and have since I moved here in 1985. I’ve had a few situations where I’ve been afraid while riding the train. As a New Yorker, I usually keep my head down. If a situation…4 min read4 min read
Mar 11Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus weekend seen through community eyes By Tanesha Grant and Suzie Baer Edited By Paulette Woodard March 9th, 2023 A few of our members attended the Caucus in Albany in February 2023. We wanted to report our experiences back to our community and thought there’s no better way than to write a blog and put it out to the public. The NYSABPRHAL Caucus is an event that community members save their money to go to every year. There are always workshops that weekend and many events are held Friday through Sunday. Most community members can not afford to attend for the whole weekend and go just for the day of workshops. It is important for all community members who want to participate to be able to do so, which very often isn’t the case. A lot of events during Caucus weekend are ticketed and people just simply don’t have the money for tickets, transportation, and lodging. The cost for just one ticket to attend ALL of the events was $650.Our 1st observation is that elected officials should make the Caucus more accessible to both community members and community-based organizations. It’s extremely important that as many constituents as possible are able to participate for the entire caucus weekend. It must be inclusive as opposed to exclusive. Currently, only those who…4 min read4 min read
Jan 31All Police Officers Become Blue while wearing the badge.Jan 30th 2023 By Tanesha Grant and Paulette Woodard This month we have seen heightened brutality by the police resulting in murders against Black people. The year 2023 began with the death of Keenan Anderson on January 3rd. He was a 31 year old teacher and father who was repeatedly tased by the LAPD following a traffic accident. Keenan subsequently went into cardiac arrest and died. This is nothing new. We’ve learned that police have killed more people in 2022 than any other year.Police Brutality3 min readPolice Brutality3 min read
Jun 2, 2022Abortion. It’s None of Your Business.By Elise-Ann Konstantin It is not science and reason, for they reject science and reason. It is not religion, for there are religious organizations that are pro-choice. It is not whether or not life begins at conception, for one can believe life begins at conception and remain pro-choice. …2 min read2 min read
Apr 3, 2022How White Liberals Contribute to the Killing of Black PeopleHow White Liberals Contribute to the Killing of Black People By Gina Rotundo and Suzie Baer Full Disclosure — I am white and liberal and I was raised in the white supremist culture that is America and I have implicit biases. I also believe in Black liberation. It’s our people…3 min read3 min read
Mar 17, 2022Black women leadership is weaponized by white peopleEvery time there is strong leadership by Black women it is constantly undermined by white privilege. We see examples of this behavior throughout history and in present times. Our executive director is a Black leader who tells it straight and in the last 2 years we have seen several examples of her lived experiences as a Black woman be used against her. We often hear white people and poc say they feel threatened or uncomfortable when she unapologetically speaks not only her truth but the truth from the Black community.2 min read2 min read
Feb 6, 2022What Defund The Police really MeansYesterday February 3rd 2022 was an eventful day in NYC around how policing Black and Brown communities shouldbe handled. We had Mayor Adams and President Biden holding a meeting with elected officials and the NYPD and on another you had Vigil and speakouts led by community organizations. We want to…5 min read5 min read
Jan 28, 2022Vicious attacks against Black City Council Woman Kristin Richardson JordanWe have worked in the community with Councilwoman Kristin Richardson Jordan. She is supporting Harlem as City Councilwoman partnering with grassroots organizations every day. She has never wished violence on anyone; in fact, she has denounced violence and focuses on real public safety. The Council Woman has come under vicious…2 min read2 min read
