January Musings
Now that we ’ ve finished this first month of 2022, reflect back upon the goals you made entering the new year What was the motivation behind them? Are they really achievable? Where are you with them? Do they feel right?
As we charter an intentional path for 2022, let us set goals we can achieve. Setting attainable goals helps us reach larger goals with greater ease This allows us to be honest with ourselves about what we can and cannot do at the moment. We tend to be so enmeshed in plans for the future and
work so hard to achieve them that we never get a chance to sit back and realize where we are right now And how far we’ve come.
As we prepare for February, enjoy all that you have accomplished so far. Sit in the new realities made by the winds of change brought forth by January
And enjoy peace Enjoy where you are now By only doing, doing, doing, we forget to say “Wow, I did it!” Focus on the now Live in these moments and embrace them wholeheartedly.
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 J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 2
Sending you love and light ✨
Spotlight: Phil Turenne (He/Him)
BY SEYI SEGUN (SHE/HER)
How has balancing parenthood and your MSW been? It can be a lot I just kept in mind that this is for a limited amount of time I will say though, having my kids see me go to school as an adult learner has been incredible. I am glad that I am able to show them that it's never too late to pursue an education.
What are you looking forward to this semester? Keeping it one hundred, graduation Not even going to sugarcoat it
Phil Turenne is in his final year of the MSW program A Reduced Residency student, Phil continues to leverage his experiences at the Administration for Children Services (ACS) in his social work practice. Phil is a proud father of three children
Why Columbia? My brother and wife are Columbia alumni I felt it was only right to continue the legacy.
When did you know you wanted to be a social worker? My brother was a social worker and he provided me with an opportunity to work at ACS. What started out as just a job to me opened my eyes to the hell people experience at ACS. I started to see that I could really be there for someone instead of viewing my work as a case to close Once you see the impact of your work on others and the connection you form with them, you start to see that you can make a difference
Any advice for a Black incoming student? As great as PROP is, I am not always sure about the authenticity of some of my white classmates. When white students talk about white privilege, they talk as if they are discussing another group of people and not themselves; as if it doesn't apply to them They talk about wanting to be allies and how they want to advocate for Black lives, but are these statements authentic, or are they saying it because more melanin is in the room?
Final Thoughts? That my impact on this Earth shall be felt through my work
FUN FACTS
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
One Goal for 2022: Graduating!
Show Recommendation: Unorthodox
Favorite Food: Haitian and Vegan
Favorite Vacation Spot: Paris
Favorite Pasttimes: Being with my family
Favorite Movie: Belly
Favorite Artist: Pusha T
Favorite Song: What You Won't Do for Love by Bobby Caldwell
Next Vacation Spot: Mexico
PHOTO CREDIT: FHCTEES
What's Happening in the Lab
Reproductive Justice Panel Discussion
Go ahead and mark your calendars for this Wednesday, February 2nd at 8 pm EST as the Reproductive Justice Initiative hosts their first panel discussion Join the conversation focusing on recent Texas legislation regarding abortion access, Senate Bill 8, and the broader implications on reproductive health and justice Access tickets for the event here.
Black Culture Trivia with the Association of Black Social Workers
Yes, you read that right! On Wednesday, February 9th, the Association for Black Social Workers-Columbia University Chapter invites you to join them for an afternoon of Black culture trivia. Come and test your knowledge on the vastness of the diaspora and possibly win a $25 gift card. This event is intended to be an affinity space for Black identifying students. Here is the Zoom link to the event!
Report Out: Action Lab Retreat
On January 28th and 29th, Action Lab members joined together for an inaugural retreat to reflect on the Lab’ s inception and history while envisioning its future We considered the spirit of Sankofa (from the Akan community of Ghana), meaning “to go back and get it" In accordance with this concept, we took a look back to learn from our past to know and appreciate where we are going in the future The retreat was nothing short of enriching as it was filled with moments of joy, creativity, vulnerability, and just all of the feels!
Over the course of the retreat, the Action Lab community learned from the many gems dropped by one of our founding Professors, Dr. Susan Witte, Executive Director Dr Ovita Williams, and of course the alumni dream team of Natosha Dobbs, Caitlin Yee, and Mariame Kante. We also welcomed our new Lab Coordinator, Aaron Kim, who seamlessly joined the fold.
The experiences during the retreat ranged from mindfulness and bodily practices to vision boarding and open discussions They all proved as necessary in our journey to continue to build community and breathe more life into our goals for the Lab
PHOTO CREDIT: WHATSUPNOMADS
Uplifting Black Artists at Columbia: Ashley Cole, Jr. (He/Him)
From Seven Floors Below: Come Home with Me
By Ashley Cole, Jr. | MSW 2022 | Columbia School of Social Work | Action Lab for Social Justice Student Advisor
When I was eighteen they gave me a rifle and a uniform
They told me that this would be how I could repay my country
So I left and followed their p They took me around the Every week I look
On my first
As the weeks
First I thought you were too sad
I knew that once I ret
Your hug and kisses far Explosions, suicide bombs, and su Secret missions an Smoke bomb fog engulfed
I entered the room closed my eyes an
Fallen bullet shells hit the ground
I took so many lives Yo
When I needed Your letters turned into Now my let
You were the on I needed
The war is over but I Your mother sa
She said you ’ re a first
At your doorstep
People use to Now people hold their breath an s
Our beautiful home
But, every nig
Exiting the west s
No war could prepare m
The city that sto
Filling my veins with large
My nose left wit
Conversations with Johnny Walk
Last night I saw
Artistic Highlight: André Leon Talley
What We're Currently Reading: The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
On January 18, Andre Leon Talley passed away Talley was a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry and a true legend As the first Black creative director of Vogue magazine and later its editor-atlarge, Talley proved to be an inspiring leader in fashion journalism and a fashion icon He was a strong advocate of Black inclusivity in fashion and made it a point to mentor and uplift Black creatives Talley broke barriers in all of his Blackness, queerness, and “unconventional” body size Despite a traumatic past, he became a permanent fixture of the front rows of the most elite catwalks Still, he was much more than that; and, for all that Talley was, he deserved his flowers while he was here. He deserved more love, care, compensation, and reciprocity from the fashion industry that benefited so much from his contributions.
The realities of corporate America are not lost on any of us. The gossip, the relentless hours, and the constant need to be the best can take a toll on many of us--specifically Black women We not only fight systems of oppression but also how it manifests in ourselves.
Be it aiming for a promotion or the belief that there is only space for one of us, The Other Black Girl illustrates the disturbing realities that Black women must inhabit to survive American work culture
We won't spoil the book for you, but we promise that you won't be disappointed and your shock will be enough for all of us
PHOTO CREDIT: WWW DEEPDISCOUNT COM
PHOTO CREDIT: THE NEW YORK TIMES
Job Opportunities
Lead Specialist, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Deloitte (NYC Based)
(BA degree and minimum of 5 years of Human Resources, client service, or related experience required). Still, shoot your shot The individual selected for this role will focus on projects and programming to enhance an inclusive culture within the organization This role aims to attract, retain, and advance a diverse workforce through inclusionrelated training, effective communication with stakeholders, and quality assurance of program development and implementation. Apply here!
Program Manager, Monitoring and Evaluation| International Rescue Committee (NYC Based; Also Remote)
(Bachelor's required; 2 years of Monitoring and Evaluation experience (you can massage this); potentially good position for an AGPP, SEA, or Policy student). Shoot your shot. Wonderful opportunity to serve individuals who identify as refugees through an International Rescue Squad Office of Refugee Resettlement programs As the M&E Manager, you will be monitoring outcomes, plans; and, you will conduct needs and assets assessments. Apply here!
Care Manager | NYU Langone (NYC Based)
(Still hiring) Shoot your shot In this role, the successful candidate will coordinate negotiates, procures, and manages the care of patients by providing focused care coordination across the acute care continuum Evaluates appropriate clinical resource utilization, and assesses patients for transitioning to the next appropriate level of care through review of patient records and information derived from interdisciplinary rounds Collaborates with the health care team to ensure the achievement of quality outcomes for patients/families Apply here!
Political Affairs Internship: The Borgen Project (Multiple Locations)
(Application due by 3/20/22). Shoot your shot. This internship encompasses meeting with members of state and nation legislatures in your state and district You will also be expected to represent The Borgen Project at various business, political, and community events. You will create a personal fundraising campaign and write letters of support for key programs to political leaders, media, and other groups This internship runs for 12 weeks; interns are expected to work 12 hours per week, UNPAID internship Apply here!
A Letter to My Younger Self : Identify
BY KALEA RENEE WOODS (THEY/THEM)
Dear Kalea,
I want to wrap my hands around each of your pimpled upper arms, maybe to draw you closer into a squeeze or maybe to shake you.
You are probably thinking about what your body looks like right now, or what your hair looks like I bet you ’ re shifting in the chair to seem as small as possible I bet you ’ re obsessing over what to do with your mouth.
You are so pretty You are the bravest person I have ever met You are remarkable, but no one wants you to know I wish I could be there to whisper these secrets to you.
I know about your heartache, your rage, your joy that billows and bursts, your devotion to music, your longing for companionship Everything aches for you, even the sight of a bug twisting on its back in the baking sun. You should cherish this tender time, for a far more frightening dullness in adulthood looms.
If I could go back, I would try to get to know you better. You are Interesting. You’ re Whole. I want to know everything about you because I love you so much and I think you ’ re magnificent. Who are you? What do you like? What are your pronouns?
You love to study, so explore You. Focus on you. Every decision you make that isn’t really yours will Haunt you. You’ll end up with hundreds of ghosts You’ll be unable to see beyond their hovering murky auras Build a life that’ s yours Make a nest with all your favorite things in it. It’ s for you.
I hope you live truthfully and that your passion guides you. You’ll always have me; I’ m rooting for you
Love, Kalea
Embrace Ease.
BY KALEA RENEE WOODS (THEY/THEM)
Columbia, we can be intentional with our energy and find creative ways to be slothful, as is our duty to ourselves This month we celebrated Martin Luther King’ s birthday, so let’ s honor his crusade against capitalism and ask for that extension MLK wants you to ask for that extension!
Melanated encourages our dear readers to think about how you all can embrace ease in 2022 Whether it’ s skipping a class or taking the semester off, you know, in your heart, what fills you up and what drains you. Autonomous acts, big or small, are what help us feel human in dehumanizing situations We certainly ain’t racking up all this student debt to feel miserable, so let's make sure to be slowing our pace and protecting our peace!
Production Team
JANUARY 2022
Editorial & Design Team
Seyi Segun (She/Her)
Editor-at-Large
Chantel Plummer (She/Her)
Senior Editor
Kalea Woods (They/Them)
Senior Editor
Mishael Sims (She/Her)
Senior Editor
Want to Contribute to Melanated?
We're accepting short stories, poetry, art, photography, Op-Eds, and letters! All items should be under 400 words. Written pieces should be submitted as a Word document; photos in JPEG or PNG format; and video and audio as Mp4s and Mp3s respectively
We remain available to answer any questions you might have. Please submit your artistry here!
Contributors
Student Highlight
Phil Turenne
Action Lab | Association of Black Social Workers-CU
What's Happening in the Action Lab
Uplifting Black Artists at Columbia
Ashley Cole, Jr.
