This quarter, WiLS spotlights the important collective work of Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development, based in Madison, Wisconsin. In particular, we spotlight the Black History for a New Day course that is both a learning opportunity and an active community within Nehemiah’s Justified Anger initiative. For several years, Justified Anger, in collaboration with the History department at UW-Madison, has facilitated a course on U.S. History through an African-American lens:
“Our purpose is to understand how the African-American experience has shaped the world we all live in, and how allies can find roles supporting racial justice today. We will lead this process without the use of guilt, finger-pointing, or propaganda, and lead from a place of compassion, community, and understanding. Rooting ourselves in our history, and understanding how we got here, will help us move forward together to make a better world and a stronger local community.” (From the Black History for a New Day course webpage)
The pandemic meant that the course needed to shift to a virtual setting, opening up the opportunity to learn with and work toward effective allyship in community with people around Wisconsin and around the country. The spring session for Black History for a New Day, open to individuals and groups, runs February – April 2022 and is now open for registration.
How can you get involved?
- If you are interested in learning more about US History through an African-American lens, and in developing and growing as an ally, consider participating in the course as an individual.
- If you are interested in coordinating a group learning opportunity through your library or another entity or organization, consider the group registration option and reach out to Justified Anger directly with any questions.
Thanks to Nehemiah staff Dr. Karen Reece and Eli Steenlage for their help in producing this spotlight.
WiLS Social Justice Spotlight is one way that we live our organizational values and support our 2021 Strategic Initiatives by “identifying or creating tangible opportunities to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion.” The Social Justice Spotlight series seeks to use our platform to amplify community-based organizations, initiatives, and projects in and around Wisconsin that do bold, on-the-ground work in racial equity and social justice. Some spotlighted initiatives are nominated by WiLS members while others may be designated by the WiLS team.
To suggest a community-based organization, initiative, or project for the Social Justice Spotlight series, please fill out this short form.