3 minute read
Student's Corner
Its mission is clear. The BIPOC Support Foundation (BSF) is committed to empowering the lives and communities of Black, Indigenous and Persons of Color by providing resources, education, mentorship and economic support by enabling all BIPOC community members to reach their full potential. BSF uses peer-reviewed research to study the racial, social, and economic barriers that prevent communities from thriving. Building off the how and why of an issue, they find long-term solutions through targeted programing and partnerships. “We operate by the key principle that success is interconnected,” says DeMilo Young, Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation.” We envision a community that thrives economically, educationally, physically and emotionally. Young adds, “The core of our mission is to create long-term solutions for longterm issues through education, funding, and networking.” The work of BSF centers around bolstering business owners, uplifting women+, and providing an enrichment program that provides a safe space for youths to learn, feel supported, and empowered. According to Young, these focused programs and grants allow for communities to sustain themselves and grow. As a non-profit organization, BSF is dedicated to equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of class, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ability/disability status. It all began in early 2020 when Young, a small business owner herself, reached out to friends and colleagues to find solutions for small BIPOC business owners who faced inequities during the pandemic. Young, with other volunteers, worked diligently to raise funds for businesses that were disproportionately shut out of funding. Data showed that Congress' major COVID relief bill was not evenly distributed amongst non BIPOC-owned businesses. In June 2020, BSF funded its first emergency grant to BIPOC-owned business, A Chef's Agent. In late 2020, BSF took on the meaning of their title by expanding beyond solely BIPOC business support and into the field of education.
In February 2021, under the direction of Educator Cassiopeia Guthrie, it hosted its first quarterly BSF Book Club event for educators, along with providing mandatory racial bias and privilege training for its volunteers. Approximately 300 educators from throughout Southern California and beyond attended the event. Surveys showed that they left inspired, confident, and empowered to use their new resources and tools to implement diverse texts within their classrooms, and engage important conversations surrounding unconscious bias with their students, peers, and communities. This outreach is a virtual study seminar offered for free to educators across the nation.
In July and August of last year, more than 500 disadvantaged youth received backpacks filled with school supplies, grade books and community gifts through BSF's Backpack drive. This led to programs such as Explore Next Door, a free, after-school youth enrichment program. This summer camp program for underserved youths focuses on mindfulness and socio-emotional wellbeing, environmental education, STEM activities, and lessons about being a good global-minded citizen. The program offers mentoring sessions to students.
Today, BSF continues to serve small businesses with funding and resources in addition to serving youth and families in underserved communities.
“Our future programming will include health and wellbeing programs, which open access to resources for members of BIPOC communities,” says Young. Young is thrilled to announce Explore Next Door’s North County summer camps next year which will focus on park conservation and outdoor nature experiences. They are building relationships with other organizations for a greater impact on our communities. BSF is working with both Vista and San Marcos Boys and Girls Clubs to supply backpacks and additional support to families.
“There is still so much more work to be done,” says Young. “In early 2023 we will launch our latest program, Women’s+ WORK (Wellness, Opportunity, Resources and Knowledge). We want to support women+ so that they may show their strength and embrace their potential, which builds stronger communities. We use the definition “women+” to include all trans women and gender non-conforming people in our work.”
To learn more and to support this meaningful and empowering foundation by donating, becoming a member or volunteering, please visit www.bipocsupportfoundation.org or call 888-695-BIPOC.
