February Musings
We made it! Welcome to February 2021 COVID-19 is still being COVID-19 (that doesn't mean that you should stop taking care), we have a new government, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs (what a name ) to win the Superbowl
We are excited to see another Black History Month. For us at ABL, every day is Black history as we are living that very history and are a part of it Still, we think that it is important to amplify fellow Black voices and show you the excellence that is Black History and those who've made it.
So, how are we celebrating this month? We are taking it EASY Black history month is certainly a time of celebration. However,
this won't be an occasion where we do so on cue The lives we as Black folx lead are a continuous celebration of that history that continuously tries to be edited, distorted and omitted (erased really)
If you really want to celebrate Black history, tell your Black educators that you appreciate them Honor and uphold the contributions of your Black classmates in class Encourage your Black staff and help nurture their greatness
There is a true celebration of Black History. Your support of those very same lives adds to the celebration of our history and the history makers with whom you are interacting
Melanated T H E C O L U M B I A U N I V E R S I T Y A C T I O N F O R B L A C K L I V E S I N I T I A T I V E N E W S L E T T E R F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1
Spotlight: Teonna Cooksey (she/her)
BY SEYI SEGUN
Teonna Cooksey is a first-year Master of Urban Planning and Master of Architecture dual degree student Teonna is passionate about community and economic development and merges those things with previous Africology studies to add a new perspective into the urban planning and intentional design space
Why Columbia? So, I applied to many different programs But, what stood out about Columbia was the policy, interventions, and conversations being had around race, class, and equitable solutions concerning design.
When did you know you wanted to study Urban Planning and Architecture? Growing up, there was a house that constantly caught my eye because it was blighted I would look at it often and resketch it to make it more appealing My dad noticed that I kept drawing the same house, so he started buying me
Architectural Digest. I would then go on to learn more about Urban Planning and saw that one could not exist without the other. So, I married those passions
Can you speak more to being Black in Architecture and Urban Planning? This is 2021 and only 0 03% of licensed architects are Black women. Something about that number stood out to me and I saw the power in being able to be a leading figure in this space Certainly, it can be hard as it is a very competitive space. But, I have made some of the most meaningful connections through this work and I can see myself growing each day
Where do you see yourself Post Columbia? Currently, I am pursuing a 4year degree. Once I finish, I plan on opening an architecture firm that focuses on urban development and launching a non-profit that focuses on housing and resources for single mothers.
FUN FACTS
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Favorite Food: Salmon
Favorite Vacation Spot: Cuba
Favorite Movie: I don't have one
Favorite Artist: Mali Music
Favorite Author: Toni Morrison
Currently Reading: Succeeding Against the Odds
Currently Watching: Criminal Minds
Show Recommendation: I May Destroy You
Self-care During the Pandemic: Doing my hair
2021 Focus: My mental health
PHOTO CREDIT: TEONNA N COOKSEY
Artistic Highlight: Musician Joy Oladokun
What We're Currently Reading: Englightenment by Natasha Tretheway
So, we saw Joy Oladokun in passing as she came into one of our YouTube feeds. While it was her look that intrigued us, it was ultimately her lyrics and sound that held our attention.
Her latest album, In Defense of my Own Happiness, is Joy Oladokun in her rawest form She performs her art while not being performative about her craft and what a singer-songwriter should write about
Joy speaks of her experience with anxiety in her song Breathe and about her LGBTQ+ identity in the song Bad Blood. There is no "bad track" on this album as someone's truth and pain can never be bad
Her tone is rich and earthy Her vibe is relaxed and thoughtful What a blessing to be able to be comfortable in one's skin. Skin that one has been taught to hate and hide. But, to then use those very things to live out your dream I hope you all will be as blessed by Joy Oladokun's music as we have been.
These highlights seem to be one of intrigue this issue As we read Enlightenment by Natasha Tretheway, we smiled and winced simultaneously Natasha's poem, Enlightenment, brings us to the sick story of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings, this time from the perspective of a biracial woman with a White father
Tretheway shows us the irony around the story of Thomas Jefferson and the dueling realities people see when they talk about Jefferson and Hemmings' relationship
Tretheway is a former U S Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner. We picked Natosha Tretheway as our monthly read as the poem about her mother's murder caught our eye ad lead us to Enlightenment.
We won't spoil that poem and its other eulogies for you But, you can read more about this story in her Pulitzer Prize-winning Memorial Drive.
Photo credit: www neoenergia com
PHOTO CREDIT: CREATIVE LOAF
PHOTO CREDIT: MEDIUM MAGAZINE
Job Opportunities
World Health Organization: Technical Officer, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (Suriname Based)
(Deadline: 18 February 2021; 7 years experience; Very good knowledge of English and Spanish required with a working knowledge of another language) Still, shoot your shot. You will be responsible for providing technical expertise with regard to neurological, neuropsychiatric, and substance abuse disorders. As well, theoretical and practical expertise in all aspects related to surveillance of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of health, as well as a thorough knowledge of epidemiology, prevention, and control methods Click here to apply
Investment Officer (France Fund for Innovation in Development) (France based)
(Asking for Master’s in development economics, management of innovation or relevant fields (public health, social science, public policy or administration, international development, regional studies, or business administration.
Fluency in French and English required)
Still, shoot your shot Experience in international development, including development economics, grant-making, project management, monitoring and evaluation, development finance, public policy, or program implementation, and/or operational activities of development
institutions Experience in experimental approach in development economics and evidence-based innovation. Professional experience in at least one low- or middleincome country Click here for more details
Director of Human Resources | U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) (Arlington, Virginia, USA)
(Posted: 10 February 2021; Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) and a minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressive human resources leadership experience are required; Master's degree in HR preferred;) Still, shoot your shot Looking for a senior-level professional to help design, implement, and execute HR strategy in support of USCRI's mission and strategic plan Will function as a strategic business partner and talent management advisor to the executive leadership team; Develop comprehensive strategic talent acquisition, management, and retention plans to meet human capital needs and deliver organizational results Click here for more information and to apply for the position.
Assistant Director - Social Work(NYC Based) (Must apply through Indeed.com or call the recruiter number below)
(Posted 9 Feb 21; Masters in Social Work Preferred) Still, shoot your shot. Candidate will develop care plans and rearrange them as necessary when difficulties arise Will visit clients, check on the care they’ ve received and document it accordingly Will work with the care team to evaluate interventions and identify where and when further ones will be required You can directly reach out to the recruiters at 914-293-5001 Ext. 402, No direct link to opportunity. But, you can find it here on Indeed com Click here for more details Look to the right after opening the link
Come Join Us
The Action for Black Lives Initiative is Looking for Committed Team Members for the 2021-2022 School Year
The Action for Black Lives Initiative invites you to our open house on Friday, February 19th, 2021 at 5 PM EST to learn more about this initiative This meeting will be part of a larger recruitment effort for new Community Members for the 2021-2022 academic year
As a part of the Action for Black Lives Initiative, you will get to work on the frontline of social advocacy and justice through a myriad of platforms and to shape the direction of the initiative Want us to be more specific? Those three extra self-care days you got this semester is thanks to one of the initiative's student leaders. Advocating for the university to stop posting images of "suspects" in those Clery Alerts is through ABL, and the establishment of this initiative is due to the leaders
We welcome work-study students and volunteers to join the initiative The time commitment is 10+ hours/week with many opportunities to grow, see what happens behind the scenes, and have a seat at the table concerning many key conversations in the School of Social Work and beyond
For more information, please contact us at swactionforblacklives@columbia.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!
