Category Archives: Intentional Communities

Partnership to Help Close Citys Opportunity Gap Through Literacy Initiative

Bright by Text, a national text messaging service for parents and caregivers of young children, has joined forces with Denvers Road to Reading partnership to help increase the citys literacy rate. As part of this initiative, Bright by Text will customize messages by age and ZIP code, sending information to parents in hard-to-reach neighborhoods about free community events, along with tips on early literacy and school readiness.

Aimed at parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to age eight, Bright by Text delivers tailored content in English and Spanish to more than 60,000 subscribers nationwide. All messaging is evidence-based, expert content from trusted partners, such as PBS KIDS, PBS Learning Media, Sesame Street in Communities and Vroom. The tips and information help nurture the parent-child relationship, build strong families, promote healthy childhood development and encourage school readiness.

Early literacy isa key contributor to early academic success for our children, Denver MayorMichael B. Hancock said. Denver continues to create intentional and impactfulpartnerships like this to support the early learning needs of our families and ouryoungest learners were all working toward the same goal, which is to ensureour kids experience academic success, and that starts at birth.

A partnership of Denvers Office of Childrens Affairs, Denver Human Services, Denver Public Schools, Denver Public Library, Childrens Museum of Denver, and Mile High United Way, Road to Reading aims to make Denver the nations most literate city. The partnership follows theBirth to Eight Roadmap, which seeks to improve outcomes and close opportunity gaps amongst the citys youngest learners.

The Roadmap aims to help families living in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty including College View, Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, Montbello, Sun Valley and Westwood find the support they need to ensure their children reach their developmental potential and succeed in school and life, starting with early language and literacy. The Roadmap is grounded in the collective educational vision of Denver Public Schools Denver Plan 2020, Mayor Michael B. Hancocks Five Goals for Youth and the Early Childhood Colorado Framework.

We are thrilled topartner with Road to Reading to help Denver families, said Jean McSpadden, Presidentand CEO of Bright by Text. Our goal is to help parents feel less overwhelmed, andinstead feel confident that they are actively supporting their childs healthydevelopment. A key factor in whole-child wellness is early literacy skills.

To sign up to receive Bright by Text messages,parents and caregivers can text either R2RDENVER to 274448, then select theirpreference of English or Spanish. Families can also sign up online at brightbytext.org/web_signup.

Excerpt from:

Bright by Text Partners with Denver's Road to Reading - The Know

Residential colleges are a core component of Vanderbilts FutureVU initiative, but some students have questioned whether the new living spaces actually create active and engaged communities, noting feelings of isolation in the new dorms.

The residential colleges were initially meant to address issues of self-segregation among the student population at Vanderbilt, according to Senior Director of Housing Operations Jim Kramka.

One thing that the university noticed was that Vanderbilt undergraduates self-segregated in various ways, Kramka said. That was not consistent with the university Vanderbilt wanted to be or wants to be.

Vanderbilt began the Residential College project in 2012 when the university broke ground on Warren and Moore Colleges. The initiative was inspired by the success of the Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, which first opened its doors in 2008.

In 2016, two years after the completion of Warren and Moore Colleges, Vanderbilt continued its expansion of the residential college system by beginning the construction of E. Bronson Ingram College (EBI). EBI was officially opened to students in fall 2018, and construction of a third residential college is currently underway.

According to Kramka, different housing patterns have emerged within subsects of the student population. Students involved in Greek life often chose to live in Branscomb or Towers suites, while other students were dispersed elsewhere on campus. The upper class residential college system was developed to intentionally bring these students together in diverse communities.

I would never want a single in Kissam or EBI, because people say that it is very isolating and quiet, junior Jenny Pigge said.

This sentiment was echoed by Kayla Bach, a sophomore EBI resident.

Im in a suite with three of my friends, which is so nice, but I do think if I was in a single or a double it would be different just because its so quiet, Bach said. In EBI, everyone keeps their door closed, and the halls are always quiet. You kind of have to know people and plan to go to their room versus just walking out and meeting people.

Mattigan KellyThe front of Branscomb, a dormitory built in 1962 that is described as loud, social dorm that is a popular choice for students in Greek life. (Photo by Mattigan Kelly)

The residential colleges are intended to diffuse the effects of student self-segregation, but it is possible that self-selection continues to play a role in this new student experience. According to Bach, many freshmen in Greek life did not even apply to the residential colleges because they wanted to live with their friends in Branscomb.

One student chose to leave the residential colleges due to its detached environment.

I left Kissam to become an RA, but my reason for leaving was also mostly social, former Warren resident Douglas Finnegan said. I had a hard time engaging with people in the common room, and people always kept their doors shut. It seemed like people werent looking to make new friends.

Finnegan is now a resident adviser in Branscomb. In his experience, the atmosphere in Branscomb is opposite that of the residential colleges, as it provides a loud, social environment that fosters new friendships and connections.

While some students find the residential colleges to be lacking in community and connection, others have enjoyed their time in the new dorms.

I think that theyve been very intentional by allowing for facilities that can help build community and have better programming, Warren College RA Dallas Wilson said. I dont think the top-down approach is going to be successful though, where people from the top say This is what the students need.

EBI RA Amaya Allen said that shes had an amazing experience in the residential college and thinks that students are beginning to create a sense of culture in EBI. For Allen, the residential college was essential in transitioning out of living on Commons.

For the first time, I felt like I had a base, and it was almost ripped right out from under me, Allen said. Res colleges stepped up and helped me build a new one, and for that Im very appreciative.

One student expressed that he didnt mind the quiet nature of the residential colleges. Moore resident Carson Fallon said that in the beginning of the year, the separation from friends in Branscomb felt more prominent, but the distance has become a positive of living in Moore.

Its nice to come back home to something thats more calm, Fallon said.

While Fallon said he felt connected with people on his floor, he thought that Residential Education programming events felt forced.

We are in an early phase of the residential college system and how to work with the facilities, and again, this is where we have to learn from students, Kramka said. We must ask What is it about the residential colleges that might make you feel isolated?

Kramka was optimistic about the future of the residential colleges and believed that students would eventually develop intentional uses for the various spaces in the new buildings.

Those patterns and uses have not yet been established by the students themselves, said Kramka. This will take time.

Read more here:

The residential colleges: progress or problem? - The Vanderbilt Hustler

Hate crimes are intended to divide. They target individuals to sow fear among certain communities, be they LGBTQ people, Black Americans or immigrants. The last three years have seen an unprecedented rise in hate groups and extremists, as they are emboldened to make their messages more public and plan violent attacks, using the relative anonymity of social media.

But hate crimes can also have the unintended consequence of bringing people together to affect change.

InOxygensnew special, Uncovered: KilledByHate,the harrowing stories of some of the worst hate crimes in our countrys recent memory will be told, graphically and powerfully. But viewers will also meet survivors, including family members, intended victims and advocates who rose above the hate and worked to further protect marginalized communities.

1998: Ground ZeroForFederal Hate Crime Law

Violence, hatred and tribalism are in the DNA ofour countrys history with lynchings, church bombings and the brutalization of the gay community being recent examples. However, the concept of a hate crime as something that can be categorized and legislated against only came out from journalistic language and congressional debate into the public consciousness in one crucial year.

On June 7, 1998,James Byrd, Jr.,a49-year-old black man, was walking down a road in Jasper, Texas, when he was offered a ride by three white men. Byrd accepted, but was brought to a remote, wooded area and attacked,according toCNN. Hewas beaten. His face was spray-painted and his attackers John William King, 23, Lawrence Russell Brewer, 31, and Shawn Allen Berry, 23 even defecated on him,according toInside Edition.

And Byrdsordeal was only beginning. The three men two of whom wereopen white supremacists tied him by his ankles to their pickup truck with a 24-foot length of logging chain and dragged him for three and a half miles, until his body literally came apart.

Byrd was alive for much of the dragging,detailedincourt documents, until the moment his head and right arm were torn off when his body hit a culvert. A forensic pathologist testified at trial that Byrds cheek, buttocks and toes were ground down to the bone injuries he wasalmost certainly alive and conscious for, given evidence that he was trying to hold his head above the ground throughout the ordeal.

All three were convicted after five days of testimony and two and a half hours of jury deliberations, according toThe Washington Post. Brewer and King who had beenmost exalted cyclops of the Confederate Knights of America received the death penalty. Berry was sentenced to life.

Months later, on Oct. 6, Matthew Shepard, 22, was approached in a Laramie, Wyoming, bar by two men who thought the5-foot-2gay student would be an easy target for robbery.Aaron McKinney and Russell Hendersonlured Shepard into their truck and drove him out to a remote area at the edge of town, according to theBBC.

They pistol-whipped Shepard inside the truckwith a .357 Magnum, then tiedhim to a log fence with a clothesline and continued pistol-whipping him before leaving him bleeding, in near-freezing temperatures, where hed hang for 18 hours until a passing bicyclist found him. Albany County Sheriff Dave OMalley would later compare Shepards injuries to those hed seen in high-speed car crashes.

Shepard would die six days later of his injuries, with his parents, Judy and Dennis by his side. Henderson and McKinney were convicted of first-degree murder, and both got two consecutive life sentences, according toCNN. They would not face hate crime charges because nothing in Wyoming or federal law covered those offenses. The public outrage over Shepards torture and murder, however, quickly spread nationally, and quickly got the attention ofpresident Bill Clinton, who would condemn it andpress for new hate crime legislation.

Still, the road to progress would be long.

Not until 2009, two presidential administrations later, would the federal hate crimes bill bearing both Shepard and Byrds names be signed intolaw. President Barack Obama, joined by James Byrdssisters,LouvonHarris and Betty ByrdBoatner, and Matthew Shepards mom, Judy, signed the Matthew Shepard James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act on Oct. 28, 2009, according to theNew York Times.

This is the culmination of a struggle that has lasted more than a decade, Obamasaid. Time and again, we faced opposition. Time and again, the measurewasdefeated or delayed. Time and again, weve been reminded of the difficulty of building a nation in which were all free to live and love as we see fit.

Thebilladded a persons sexuality, gender identity or disability under the federal definition of hatecrime, andgave federal prosecutors greater ability to go after alleged hate crimes that local authorities did not.

The bill facedpastRepublican opposition including a threat by President George W. Bush to veto it and thus was tacked onto a defense bill, according toFox News.

Judy and Dennis Shepard maintained this year that the country still has miles to go toward protecting the LGBTQ community.LGBTQ advocacy groupHuman Rights Campaignsaid that so far in 2019, 19 transgender people have been killed, and that more stringent hate crime reporting is needed, as well as local laws to protect vulnerable communities where the feds may fail.

The HeatherHeyerFoundation andBlazin It Forward

Two notorious recent hate crimes claiming young, promising lives have resulted in families springing into action to combat hate.

Whena neo-Nazi rammed his car into a crowd of people protesting a white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 12, 2017, 35 people were injured, according to theWashington Post, and activist HeatherHeyer, 32, lost her life.

James Fields Jr., 21, was convicted of first-degree murder in state court in December 2018, according to the Post. This spring, he was also convicted of federal hate crime charges, and will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Heyerwas remembered as a passionate activist who stood up against any type of discrimination,theNew York Timesreported.She headed to Charlottesville that Saturday out of a sense of duty to protest the white supremacists and neo-Nazis gathering under the pretense of protesting the planned removal of ahistorical statue.

Her last Facebookpostread, If youre not outraged, youre not paying attention.

Since her death,Heyersmother, Susan Bro,has started anon-profit foundationto provide scholarships for people who want to make positive, nonviolent social change, focusing on the fields of law, social work, social justice and education.

I think thats what we have with Heathers legacy, is a call to action, Brotold NPRin August 2018.

In 2018, the foundation awarded scholarships to three students, including one graduating from Charlottesville High School.

The second hate crime occurred on Jan. 10, 2018, when University of Pennsylvania student Blaze Bernstein, 19, was found half-buried in a shallow grave in Orange County, California, according toNBC News. His family and friends had been searching for him for eight days when his body was found stabbed multiple times.

It only took two days for authorities to make an arrest: Former high school classmate Samuel Woodward, 20, was charged, and law enforcement suspected the murder of the gay, Jewish man was a hate crime. In August 2018, prosecutors added a hate crime enhancement to the murder charge, based on evidence they found on Woodwards laptop and cellphone,theDaily Pennsylvanianreported.

Woodward told investigators at the time that Bernstein had tried to kiss him,theOrange County Registerreported.He was also later linked to the violent neo-Nazi groupAtomwaffen, according toFrontline-ProPublicareporting.

Woodwards case is still in the pre-trial phase, according to Frontline-ProPublica.He has pleaded notguilty, anddenies the charges.

Bernsteins family, however, haspushed through his death and started a nationwide, social media-based movement promoting random acts of kindness as an antidote to the hate that may have taken his life. Jeanne and Gideon Bernstein started a hashtag #BlazeItForward but also spearheaded collection efforts to feed the hungry,according to theLos Angeles Times.

Blaze was a really special human being, Jeanne said at a food bank event in January. His story resonates with people. [Volunteers] are also making an announcement that theyre saying no to intolerance, and theyre making a positive change.

The BlazeItForward Facebook page today has more than 26,000 members, sharing stories of people helping others, thanking others for help and reaching out for help with volunteer efforts. Its stated goal is to make the world a better place with one intentional kind act at a time.

On Oct. 16, the Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County shared on the page thatit waslaunching theBlaze Bernstein School of Culinary Arts, as a tribute to Bernsteins love of cooking.

For more on the brutal murders of Matthew Shepard, James Byrd, Blaze Bernstein and HeatherHeyer as well as the 2017 Portland train attack dont miss Uncovered: KilledByHate, onOxygen, where viewers will meet the families, survivors and advocates fighting the scourge of hate crimes to this day. KilledByHate airsSundayat7/6c.

Continued here:

Have The Most Brutal Hate Crimes Sparked Any Change For The Better? - Oxygen

"I really am sorry if I offended you," Rodriguez said in a video apology.

Last updated on October 16, 2019, at 11:16 a.m. ET

Posted on October 15, 2019, at 4:19 p.m. ET

A video of Gina Rodriguez saying the n-word while reciting lyrics to a song was removed from the actor's Instagram story on Tuesday, followed shortly thereafter with an apology from the Jane the Virgin star.

The video shows Rodriguez, who has been accused of being anti-black in the past, singing along to "Ready or Not" by the Fugees as she has her hair and makeup done.

"Voodoo / I could do what you do, believe me," the actor sang in the video, which appeared for at least three hours on her Instagram stories before being taken down. "Niggas give me heebie-jeebies."

Representatives for Rodriguez did not immediately respond to BuzzFeed News' request for comment, but the star later apologized using the same app.

"I just wanted to reach out and apologize. I am sorry," Rodriguez said later on her Instagram story. "I am sorry if I offended anyone by singing along to the Fugees, to a song I love, I grew up on. I love Lauryn Hill, and I really am sorry if I offended you."

The star later posted another apology on Instagram, saying she had acted thoughtlessly. "In song or real life, the words that I spoke should not have been spoken," she wrote.

Rodriguez also spoke of learning a "public lesson" about the pain associated with the n-word. "I have some serious learning and growing to do, and I am so deeply sorry for the pain that I have caused," she said.

This gaffe is the latest slight, intentional or not, from Rodriguez against the black community. Last year, the Annihilation actor was accused of erasing black women during an interview she had with Grown-ish star Yara Shahidi while they promoted the film Smallfoot.

"You are just goals for so many young black women," interviewer BlogXilla said to Shahidi.

Rodriguez then cut in, seemingly correcting the interviewer, and said, "For so many women. Women."

"Yeah, for women too, but for black women we need people on a whole other level," BlogXilla responded.

Influential black culture website the Root later described Rodriguez's answer as "evoking the spirit of 'All Lives Matter.'"

Afterward, Rodriguez found herself making headlines once more when she was criticized for how she addressed pay inequality in Hollywood during a roundtable discussion with the outlet Net-a-Porter.

I get so petrified in this space talking about equal pay, especially when you look at the intersectional aspect of it, right?" Rodriguez said. "Where white women get paid more than Black women, Black women get paid more than Asian women, Asian women get paid more than Latina women, and its like a very scary space to step into."

As Selena Hill later wrote for the website Black Enterprise, "Although Rodriquezs comments are true in some regard, critics say her message was off-colored and glossed over the lack of representation and racial inequality black actresses face in Hollywood."

In January, Rodriguez appeared on Sway Calloway's radio program Sway in the Morning, where she broke down crying while attempting to tell her side of the story.

Rodriguez said pitting "two underrepresented groups against each other" is the last thing she'd want to do.

"Our unification is our rise," she said on the show. "Our unification is what's going to allow both of our communities to continue to flourish. I support and hope the reverse would happen."

Link:

Gina Rodriguez Has Apologized After Deleting A Video Of Her Singing The N-Word - BuzzFeed News

The season for trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns and watching horror movies has arrived.

Halloween will inevitably mean trouble on college campuses as many students will choose to dress in culturally offensive costumes at parties over the new two weeks.

These racist incidents can be deeply painful, making communities feel unsafe, said Dr. Katrina Caldwell, vice chancellor for diversity and community engagement at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).

I think the first threshold is that people feel unwelcome, that they are not sure if they are sitting next to someone in their classroom or living in a residents hall or working in a lab with someone who might harbor some of the sentiments that most folks feel like are foundation to those types of images or that type of activity, she said.

Caldwell should know.

Earlier this month, a student at Ole Miss admitted to posing in blackface.

According to a letter, My Culture is Not a Costume, sent to the Ole Miss community after the incident by Caldwell and Dr. Noel Wilkin, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, the student recognized the immediate impact of this behavior, reached out to staff, expressed remorse and has already begun engaging in a voluntary educational process that includes curricular, experiential and reflective components.

Additionally, the letter offered questions that students should consider while choosing a Halloween costume:

Prior to the incident, Ole Miss had already been working to educate students, particularly those in student organizations. Conversations were being held in residence halls and the Greek community hosted a speaker to discuss themed parties.

The incident wasnt what necessarily prompted the educational response, said Caldwell. We were already in the midst of having these conversations on campus. There was already education happening and there has been at the University of Mississippi.

Caldwell said that the campus response has focused on the desire for more education, more sharing, more requests for workshops and training and more conversations. Additionally, there has been disappointment, anger and fear associated with not only this incident but to this consort of incidents that have the same undertones of you are not welcome and this might not be a safe environment.

Dr. Katrina Caldwell

The phenomenon of racist Halloween costumes is not new nor is it is unique to college students.

In 2015, the former president of the University of Louisville, Dr. James R. Ramsey, apologized after a photo was published of him wearing a stereotypical Mexican costume at a staff Halloween party.

Most recently, photos of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently surfaced of him wearing blackface and brownface across the years.

During a press conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba last month, Trudeau acknowledged his actions and said, it is something that people who live with the kind of discrimination that far too many do because of the color of their skin, or their history, or their origins, or their language, or their religion, face on a regular basis. And I didnt see that from the layers of privilege that I have. And for that, I am deeply sorry and I apologize.

There are two sides of the spectrum among those students who choose to dress in offensive costumes, according to Caldwell. On one side, there is a lack of awareness and education. However, on the other hand, she said that some students want to see how far they can push the limits and boundaries of the first amendment and free expression.

Additionally, a more extreme aspect of the spectrum is the intent to harm.

They have the intent to mock, they have the intent to demean, they have the intent to harm and to create fear and they understand very clearly that engaging in these types of activities will have that outcome, said Caldwell.

In general, Dr. Lori Patton Davis, chair of the Department of Educational Studies at The Ohio State University (OSU), said that the conversations about inappropriate costumes and party themes is almost like a broken record.

This has been happening for decades at this point and the reality is that its not just a situation of fraternities or lack of education, I think its a reflection on how society teaches people to devalue other peoples culture and treat it as fun, she said.

As a way to prevent future incidents on college campuses, Patton Davis believes there needs to be more accountability.

Dr. Lori Patton Davis

She also recommends that institutions provide opportunities for campus-wide themes.

Maybe a university might choose a Harry Potter theme for the campus to adopt so it doesnt begin to get into inappropriate costumes or parties with inappropriate themes? said Patton Davis.

Dr. Robert T. Palmer, department chair and associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies at Howard University, suggests the use of social media to help facilitate training in order to maximize the impact. For example, he said that college administrators should consider using Instagram, YouTube or Facebook to discuss examples of costumes that might border on being racially offensive.

Additionally, he recommends introducing implicit bias training on campus.

Making students aware that the way in which they think about a different culture or race, to that student given that background they might not deem how they dress as offensive, said Palmer. Making those issues more aware and more pronounced.

He said that institutions also need to be intentional of including language around harassment in their student code of conduct.

Linking the fact that dressing in a costume thats certainly racist and that portrays a particular racial group in a stigmatized manner, that can border on harassment, he added.

On a larger scale, Patton Davis acknowledged the importance of embedding these types of issues into a schools academic curriculum.

Theres a lot of learning opportunities for students and I think universities should tap into these various strategies, she said. So, it can be in the residence hall, in the dining hall, whether its in the passive or active programming, it can be in the first-year seminar. Theres all kinds of places where topics relating to valuing and appreciating their various cultures can provide educational value.

Sarah Wood can be reached at swood@diverseeducation.com.

Follow this link:

Halloween, a Season for Racist Costumes - Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education has 13 candidates.

Bio information initalics is from WFAE's education reporter, Ann Doss Helms.

ANNETTE ALBRIGHT

Annette Albright, who has worked for CMS and a charter school, is making her second run for school board. She is unaffiliated.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

I believe what distinguishes me as a school board candidate is the fact that I am prepared to have the critical conversations needed to improve the leadership challenges facing the district. The need for integrity, transparency and open dialogue with the community must be at the forefront of any and all district improvement plans.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

The first priority I would bring is to ask my colleagues that we listen to the needs and concerns of our community. I would also ask that we work on building more collaborative relationships with the members of the City Council and the Board of County Commissioners in order that we can work as partners in planning for the needs of our residents. I would also ensure that student assignments decisions are made without prejudgments or biases.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

In order to ensure the right person is leading the district and the district has stable leadership the board should monitor the Superintendent's and district's progress towards set goals closely relying upon data based results. The BOE should also communicate frequently with the Superintendent to ensure he has the support and resources his needs to met the mission of the district. Lastly, the BOE needs to provide evaluations to the Superintendent based upon personal observations and data. If the Superintendent is not meeting set work performance criteria, the BOE must inform the Superintendent and communicate expectations moving forward.

ELYSE DASHEW (incumbent)

Elyse Dashew was elected to the school board in 2015 and is currently vice chair. She also chairs the boards Municipal Education Advisory Committee, which includes representatives of the countys municipal governments. She is a Democrat.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

I am the only incumbent running for re-election. Serving on the school board is an immensely challenging job. I have been through the steep learning curve. I am battle-tested. I have spent four years as an at-large school board representative (vice chair for three years) building deep, collaborative relationships. Ive fought to make schools more equitable; improve the conditions of school buildings; raise teacher pay to top in NC; connect students to careers; provide a more rigorous, relevant curriculum; and collaborate with county and city to better serve our children. Supporting student success requires long-term commitment. There is more work to do and I want to see it through.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

We need to evaluate the outcomes of the current student assignment plan. We are still implementing the plan that was voted upon in 2017 and gathering lessons learned. (In fact, I had to chuckle at this question, because it the previous review feels very fresh!) A key lesson learned from the previous process is that we must make it a top priority to have a strong communications and community engagement plan in any future student assignment process.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

I and the rest of my board unanimously voted to promote Earnest Winston as the Superintendent of CMS. Here is why: He has deep knowledge of our district, our community, and our political environment. He is well versed in the CMS academic and equity initiatives guided by our Strategic Plan 2024. He was a trusted advisor to numerous superintendents. His experience ranges from classroom teaching to operations to communications. He is trusted by our cabinet, principals, teachers, and community partners based on relationships developed over many years. As ombudsman, he has worked with families to solve difficult problems involving their children. He is down-to-earth and self-aware. Most importantly, he is fiercely loyal to this district and all of our students, including his own two young daughters who attend CMS schools.

With clear guidance, support, and collaboration from the Board of Education, Superintendent Winston will lead our district successfully for years to come. I have personally told him that I pledge to provide this, using all the lessons that I have learned in my first four years on the board and I make this pledge to my constituents as well.

JENNIFER DE LA JARA

Jennifer De La Jara, director of education for International House, is a CMS parent making her first run for office. She is a Democrat.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

I have a clear understanding of what the At-Large role entails. I have worked primarily with Title I schools across the county, plus I recently moved to the North Meck area, which has given me a broader view of the needs of county. I have been working hard to build relationships throughout which will lay the groundwork for better collaboration. I also have a unique background in working with our immigrant communities. Their voices also need to be part of the greater CMS conversation.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

We need to incorporate the new strategic plan, along with input from our equity committee that will be establised soon, together with intentional conversations with other stakeholders representing all four corners of our county to achieve the best results. I believe communication and seeking input from the community is the best approach. I intend to work on building trust and providing more transparency about our processes.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

Helping Mr. Winston be successful will be one of my number one goals. I believe he already brings many talents and a great understanding of the inner-workings of CMS. I will pledge to him and his staff to be approachable so we can help support the goals of the District while also providing oversight and accountability.

GREGORY DENLEA

Gregory Denlea, the only Republican in the race, says hes running to serve as a voice for the suburbs. He teaches at University of Phoenix and has grown children who went to CMS. This is his first run for office.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

Gregory Denlea (votedenlea.org) is a consistent and reliable vote for the suburban communities. I will not ignore any town, community, or school. I have 30 years experience in business supporting very large budgets. I have 15 years in higher education where I witnessed first-hand how underprepared students were for college math. I have a doctorate in educational leadership (the same licensure required for a CMS superintendent). I am passionate about giving the gift of education to all. I support parent choice and will commit myself to making our public school option a primary choice. In supporting our schools we will better the quality of our communities. Student success ensures our domestic, national, and global success as a nation.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

I am committed to ensuring that the local public school option accommodates neighborhood boundaries. My kids went to CMS and I know how traumatic it is when parents are not assigned to the closest school in their neighborhood. No student should travel for an hour on a school bus. No student should have to spend their elementary school years in a trailer. Schools with the most overcrowding should be the top priority for capital funding.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

The CMS School Board is singularly responsible for the failure of the superintendent. The Board should perform governance - not leadership. The superintendent and their team are charged with leadership. The School Board continues to let down both the superintendent and the community by telling others what to do (for example #1. ordering 4 towns to not build charter schools for a period of 15 years and #2. instructing the superintendent to ignore the municipalities of Cornelius, Huntersville, Matthews, and Mint Hill for prioritized capital funding). When elected I will commit to establish a governance committee to perform evaluation of the performance of the school board, educate board members in their governance duties, ensure the proper rotation and assignment of board members, and establish performance measures for the board). Until the board functions as a board the superintendent will not be able to lead.

JENNA MOOREHEAD

Jenna Moorehead, a newcomer to Charlotte, is former president of the board of the Bellefonte Area School District in Pennsylvania. She is a Democrat.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

I am a career long social worker, including school social work. Im also a past president and former member of a school board in a high achieving school district of another state.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

I fully believe in equitable neighborhood assignment to ensure all students have access to higher achieving schools while insisting that areas who are underachieving bring necessary intervention to accommodate every student regardless of academic performance. It is imperative to recognize the socioeconomic challenges of many of our students and understand their limitless potential.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

My previous school board and business leadership experience tells me that we must gain leadership stability within CMS. As a board, we must trust the current leadership structure and decisions while providing appropriate support and supervision to ensure that CMS gains such stability.

DONNA J. PARKER-TATE

Donna Parker-Tate is a retired CMS principal who has also coached principals around the country. This is her first run for the board. She is a Democrat.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

As a candidate for School Board at Large, I come with a rich background experiences in education with documented evidence as a highly qualified instructional leader. Im very confident I understand how important effective educational policies, open community and parental conversation and support, as well as ensuring schools are provided with the needed tools (advance classes in all high schools, students are college ready to compete in our global society and are provided a skill for the workforce at Large, if chosen.) will advance the overall students academic achievement.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

Student assignment is very crucial to the overall success rate of our school district. The priories I will bring to this process are to have early deep community conversations, easy accessibly for students and families to schools assigned (parental support is crucial), and that our schools mirror our global/diverse society.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

In facing systemic stability in our leadership, finding the perfect/right person to lead our district is ensuring we ( the school board, teachers, parents and the community at large) dive deeply into conversations with one another as we engage and are transparent at the looks fors, qualifications and indicators for our leader. Our leader must also understand the uniqueness of CMS and is highly capable and committed to the success of this district. Very difficult situation even though we may think we have follow the right pathway.

JORDAN PINEDA

Jordan Pineda is a former CMS teacher who works with Teach For America and is trying to launch a group to work with boys of color. He is a Democrat making his first run for office.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

Proximity to the issue. I have committed my career to pursuing equity in education. No other candidate can say that. As a sociologist, I specifically studied the theories, policies and practices that go into creating effective and equitable school systems for students of color and/or from low income communities. I taught at a Title I school where I saw the reality of the disparities within CMS and not just the data points, but the real faces of our kids. I earned my teaching license and for the last two years I have been recruiting and coaching teachers into CMS Title I schools. I coach 20 teachers across 11 different schools in our system. I am in the work every day and I know that this work is more than just a 30 second soundbite. Its more than buzz phrases. Its about utilizing my professional career that is centered on synthesizing education-centric data and objectively analyzing policy and theory that is derived from hard sociological fact. Its about being the person who can speak for teachers because I taught or represent the kids who we have committed to providing a more equitable education because I have lived their lives.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

We have the most segregated school system in the state and one of the most segregated systems in the country. My priority is ensure that the next phrase of student assignment is focused on the intentional integration of our schools. But, it is difficult to integrate schools that are not performing at the same level, so we need to concentrate on bolstering up our failing, low income schools in CMS (which are predominantly Schools of Color). That, I believe is the true intent of the boards decision to prioritize the pursuit of equity and why I am so committed to effectively implementing equity while we prepare for another reassignment conversation. Successfully implementing equitable policies will make clear that there are still gaps to close between these schools and the only remaining solution is integration. There will be many challenges in our pursuit of a more integrated CMS and we need to make it clear that this is impacting our city, as a whole. The funding disparities between affluent schools and low-income schools directly correlate to race and housing and contribute to Charlottes ranking 50th out of 50 in terms of upward mobility. School reassignment needs to impact us all.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

I believe that the school board is at fault when it comes to the perpetual leadership turnover. The lack of transparency, failure to communicate effectively, to accept responsibility or be open to an audit is what is expected from our board. To undo this reality the board needs to work with the community to clearly articulate the functioning role of school board; what their responsibilities are and what they are not. It also needs to be much more clear and vocal in the objectives and goals that it brings to the superintendent as he can only be as good as his board. Our board needs to accept that CMS is one of the largest school districts in the country and it needs to operate like a well-functioning government entity, not as a private club that makes decisions behind closed doors. Lastly, school board members need to understand how to make personnel decisions that are best for students and teachers. This means implementing clearly defined hiring practices that focus on diversity, equity and inclusivity. These hiring decisions need to be made by professional educators who have experience in hiring and selecting leaders to teach/lead in our schools, like myself.

OLIVIA SCOTT

Olivia Scott is on the ballot but says she is not actively campaigning. She is a Democrat making her second run for the board.

Olivia Scott did not respond to this questionnaire.

LENORA SHIPP

Lenora Shipp is a CMS graduate and retired principal making her second run for the board. She is a Democrat.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

I have history of the past and a focus on the present that will lead my work moving the school system forward into the future. I was a student in the school system before integration and during integration. A Teacher at the Elementary and Secondary level, Professional Development Specialist , Assistant Principal, Principal for 15 years/over 33 years of service in CMS working with students, teachers, parents and communities throughout the county. I clearly understand what the work of educating all students with a sound quality education to compete in the global society looks like. I have seen the successes andfailures - what worked, what didn't work in CMS. I have been trained in the Broad Foundation process of strategic schools/ strategic staffing to turn around schools. An accomplished leader with a proven track record of advancing academic achievement for all students. A parent that has seen the challenges of educating a child in CMS Pre-K-12. These experiences along with my strong commitment to this district, and a public school advocate distinguishes me as a school board candidates.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

My priorities are to increase the level of equity and diversity throughout the school system. We must do so by looking at facilities in the neighborhoods to ensure that they are brought up to standards with a focus on matching magnets program throughout the district, higher level course offering, and a wide array of CTE courses in all schools. We must ensure quality materials and human resources( highly qualified , teachers, staff, strong instructional leadership) that will even the playing field. I would also look at rezoning to widen the zones for transportation to provide more choice options to all families. Then, parents would have real choice in student assignment.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?As a former Administrator, with experience working under 10 different superintendents, here are some of my recommendations for hiring the right person in the position for stability of leadership in this district: The board should have clear goals and objectives for the superintendent that aligns with the school systems mission and vision. There must be a match between the district and superintendent; The board and the prospective superintendent should have a joint set of agreements ; Along with having a search firm, the board should also conduct a comprehensive review of the superintendent candidates to understand handling of successes and failures, management style, hiring practices and treatment of employees and the community. This should be a critical part of the superintendent screening process; An oversight committee must be effectively in place to govern the work and performance of the superintendent on a quarterly bases with a neutral training partner to reach mutual understanding and stronger accountability.STEPHANIE SNEEDStephanie Sneed is a lawyer who is active in education advocacy groups in east and west Charlotte. She is a Democrat making her second run for the board.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

As a former trial attorney for child protective services, I have experience advocating for the health, safety and welfare of children. With prior employment law experience, I am well versed in policies/practices that make for successful organizations and the practices that are pitfalls to large organizations. This is unique from any candidate or board member and will allow me to have an immediate impact on moving CMS forward. Examples include: human resources practices (recruitment, retention, training), execution/revision of employment policies, and providing distinct guidance on setting quantifiable standards/objectives for the superintendent and staff, which would coincide with quantifiable goals to be established for each school year. I also uniquely discuss short and long term goals, as evidenced above, while most other candidates focus on slow moving plans. As project lead for Westside Education Think Tank and founding member of Eastside Education Think Tank, I have had significant opportunities to engage directly with vulnerable communities, resulting in increased parent/community school engagement. I am a Girl Scout and CMS volunteer, member of numerous PTAs and CMS parent of two children, one at a low performing school. I want to evolve these experiences into effective policies to make CMS a premiere district.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

The first priority is always to look through the lens of what are the best steps that will advance ALL students to be college and career ready. Secondly, the process must be transparent, and input must be received from all interested parties no matter their socioeconomic status. The process should also be collaborative and include dialogue from other governmental bodies including county commission and city council in that the city and county is highly segregated because of issues of lack of economic mobility and affordable housing. Most importantly, at the implementation of any reassignment, measures must already be in place to provide the appropriate support to those students that need it most. Reassignment is not a magic wand for success of all students.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

First, the Board needs to set forth quantifiable goals (i.e. increase 3rd grade reading levels; 20% improvement in the recruitment and retention of teachers, including male teachers of color; 20% increase in parent engagement, 25% increase of students graduating college or career ready, etc.) that must be accomplished within a 4 year period. The Board must consider candidates that have experience that is in the line with the predetermined goals of the Board. The Board must then be diligent in its selection of a candidate that can provide a specific, unique and fresh approach to accomplishing these predetermined goals. Moreover, once the superintendent is in place, s/he must be provided clear and measurable goals to accomplish for each academic year, so that there is clear notification of what must be accomplished on a yearly basis. Often overlooked, but critical, the Board must consider leadership style of any Superintendent, including his ability to interact and engage with all levels of CMS staff and has the ability to meet all parents where they are.

DUNCAN ST. CLAIRDuncan St. Clair is a first-time candidate and unaffiliated voter. He is a CMS graduate who owns a coffee business.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

In 1996, I graduated from West Charlotte Senior High with a homegrown K-12 CMS education. In 2000, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to becoming a business owner, I worked for extremely large corporations, the federal government, non-profits, a family-owned company, and was self-employed. I see enormous challenges ahead, but I also envision incredible opportunities for success. In many ways, I am excited about what I hear from other candidates and surprised by what I dont hear as well. I want to emulate the Countys Adopt-A-Stream clean-up program for our schools so they look good from the very outset for students, parents, and teachers. Additionally, the School Board has not significantly acted on the issue of climate change and adopted its role in mitigating the effects. Investigating efficiency, promoting renewable energy, and enhancing optimization of all aspects within CMS may distinguish me as a candidate for now, but a grasp on the urgency of these issues from any Board Member will ultimately improve our school system and have far reaching benefits for both our area and world.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

Prioritizing every student education is the ultimate remedy for assignment. While it seems obvious geography will always remain the most vital factor to consider, education in the 21st century is changing. But when parents view neighborhood assignments as unappealing and either enter the magnet lottery, select a private school, or search for a charter, addressing the fundamental issue that CMS has limited ability to provide access to excellent education is the critical component for parental support and student success. Increasing CMS magnet options within neighborhood schools scales up the unique and advanced learning these programs bring to multiple locales and families. Likewise, expanding magnet subject studies to create unique and diverse educational offerings magnifies the value of our community as a whole. Further, ask every parent: Where do you want your child to attend school? Because ultimately it should be the parents decision where their child goes and access to quality education should be regarded as a right, not a gamble. Prioritize students instead of assignments. Maintain and gain the confidence of parents. And increase teacher compensation in all ways from finance to pure respect. Student assignment is definitely more about providing choice schools than choosing boundaries.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

As growth in our area expands enormously, so do the massive responsibilities of CMS. The invariable complications arising from operating and maintaining a complex network of schools across a geographically, economically, socially, and culturally diverse area constantly and quickly changing itself makes the job of a superintendent hardly applicable to one person. The past decade alone at CMS clearly indicates one superintendent is "not working out." Further, the relentless search for "one superintendent" wastes time and has, unfortunately, squashed transparency and confidence in the School Board to do just that. Growth in student enrollment coupled with the head-spinning whirlwind of turnover inexorably suggests dividing CMS into smaller, more manageable zones enables problems to be identified more swiftly and remedies adopted more effectively - benefiting everyone. Optimizing management by employing a small group of superintendents perhaps two or three establishes the stability necessary for the system to meet its current and increasingly difficult obligations.

QUEEN THOMPSON

Queen Thompson is a former CMS employee making her fourth run for the board. She is a Democrat.

What distinguishes you as a school board candidate?

I am the most experienced candidate for school board, with inside information about some of the actual problems and concrete solutions to offer. Awarded CMS Ben Craig Outstanding Education Award for outstanding and innovative programs.

1. Platform Quality schools for all children under the law, I will offer a series stories and illustrations in a publications called School House Secret, that have resulted in problems faced in CMS. Additionly, I will offer concrete solutions on How to Fix Public Education. The solutions must come about quickly as not to lose another generation of children.

2. My platform calls for mandated professional staff development. A large percentage of CMS staff members are not trained. Most have never had a course in Public School law.

3. Support fair and equitable personnel policies.

4. Address discipline by teaching social and behavioral skills. Everyone assumes that children are born knowing how to behave and manage conflicts. Social and behavior skills need to be taught. Children are treated like robots/machines and it is not working.

5. Fiscal Accountability and Transparency. Comprehensive oversight to address waste, mismanagement and the abuse of power is needed.

Recognized as a CMS a strong advocate, effective advocate for all children.

The board is likely to conduct a student assignment review in the next four years. What priorities would you bring to this?

With the collaboration of the board and staff, I plan to bring to the board, a plan to make all schools equitable and quality schools under the law, within the next two calendar years. My plan will bring quality education to all children through mastery learning, thereby dismantling the labeling of children, schools and communities failing and low performing schools.

After 50 years, I have never met anyone who wanted to be a failure. School failure destroys people, children, neighborhoods and economic growth. Who wants to work at a failing school? Who wants to attend a school, labeled failing or low performing? The label of failing becomes the self fulfilling prophecy.

CMS now has its sixth superintendent in 10 years. What should the board do to ensure the right person is in the job and the district has stable leadership?

There is no one person that is the right person in for the job. Decisions are made by a team of qualified individuals (staff members, board of education members and the community) committed to equal access to a quality education under the law in Mecklenburg County. In order to solve CMS problem puzzle, all pieces of the puzzles must be at the table. The stabilization will come when as a county or a community we are find common ground, and work together, where everyone wins.

Mecklenburg County must decide if we as a schools system stay the way they are, failing and low performing. Do continue to have our residents run, across the county in search of quality schools? Do we continue to run children to neighboring counties in search of quality schools?Do we take a wait and hope for the best attitude?Or do we unite together NOW to make Mecklenburg County Public Schools Q.U.E.E. N. Quality schools, regardless of your address and incomeUniting the community to stand togetherExperienced problem solverEducation equality, reform advocate and visionaryNow, no compromising on school failure

Where everybody wins.

MONTY WITHERSPOON

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2019 Election Voter Guide: CMS Board Of Education - WFAE

UPDATE: Gov. Newsom demands PG&E provide rebates for residential and business customers affected by preemptive power shutdowns

The inventory of woes from last weeks PG&Es power shutdown across Northern and Central California continues to come in:

Students at UC Berkeley worrying that the intentional outage may have resulted in the loss of two years of research into fighting drug-resistant forms of cancer. Businesses that lost income from the cutoff even as PG&Es website crash sowed widespread confusion and chaos. Reports of vehicle collisions at intersections where the power to traffic lights had been cut. And scores of elderly people and others whose lives are dependent on electricity living through desperate hours of wondering how theyd manage to get by until power was restored.

The unprecedented shutdown which PG&E conducted in an effort to prevent its equipment from sparking wildfires during last weeks high winds and dry conditions meant the loss of power to hundreds of thousands of residents and an economic hit to the region that, according to some estimates, ran into billions of dollars.

During the shutdown and in its aftermath, residents across large swaths of the Bay Area and beyond lashed out against the utility for what many saw as an over-reaction of immense and even frightening proportion. Heres some of the fallout from last weeks drama, and a look forward to whats next for PG&E and your power.

Will there be more shutdowns?

No future shutdowns are scheduled, at least for now. But it all depends on the weather.

Asked about plans the utility has to order more so-called PSPSs, or Public Safety Power Shutoffs, PG&E spokesperson Jeff Smith told this news organization Monday morning that its all dependent on weather conditions, but that the company currently has no plans to issue another shutoff order.

Still, at least in the short-term, Smith stressed that these major shutdowns remain the most effective way for us to reduce the likelihood of wildfires and the best way for us to keep our communities and our customers safe.

He added that PG&E will continue its efforts to harden the system, such as looking at ways to improve how we remove vegetation around the utilitys power lines and substations. He said those efforts could eventually reduce the frequency of PSPSs when we see extreme weather events like we saw last week.

Whats the fallout for PG&E?

Most noticeably, the utility has taken a beating in the court of public opinion ever since last weeks shutdowns got underway. Anger and frustration from residents and business owners was widespread and vocal, while some politicians jumped on PG&E for causing unnecessary angst for millions of Californias impacted by the outages. As the shutdown threw scores of communities into the dark, literally and figuratively, Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted the giant, bankrupt power company, calling it greedy and accusing it of mismanagement.

This is not a climate change story as much as a story about greed and mismanagement over the course of decades, the governor said in a press conference at the height of the shutdown chaos. Neglect. A desire to advance not public safety, but profits. Late last week, as the lights started to come back on, Newsom added that what has occurred in the last 48 hours is unacceptable.

Referring to estimates that as many as 2 million people had been left without power at the peak of the shutdown, the governor added that we are seeing the scale and scope of something that no state in the 21st century should experience.

What else?

The fallout continued this week, with PG&E stock taking a hit during trading. Continuing a precipitous drop that began Thursday, PG&E shares were down 3.3 percent late Monday morning.

Democratic Sen. Mike McGuire, whos district includes parts of Lake County, told the LA Times that the utility, as well as the state and its regulators, should do more to protect its customers. We need to rethink everything about this shutdown and how to take care of the most vulnerable in our communities, McGuire said. These shutdowns can be life and death.

McGuire told the paper that he believes California should insist that PG&E open its own office of emergency services and dedicate a budget to providing emergency services; and create a reliable list of vulnerable Californians who may need aid in a blackout.

Hows the weather?

Less threatening than it was a week ago. The National Weather Services says the Bay Area weather today should be mostly cloudy in the morning, and then turning partly cloudy later in the day. Highs will be in the 60s to lower 70s while winds should be relatively mild. Tuesday will see more of the same.

How should we stay updated on possible outages?

You can go to the outages page on PG&Es website, which, after failing last week is now back up and running. Most of the outages currently being reported, though, only affect a handful of people and do not appear to be so-called PSPSs.

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PG&E shutdowns: Will they happen again? Whats next? - Vallejo Times Herald

Fresh useful insights for people advancing quality, innovative and sustainable journalism

OFF THE TOP

You might have heard: Two new books detail the investigations into Harvey Weinstein and the reporting that sparked #MeToo (NPR)

But did you know: Catch and Kill and She Said provide a side-by-side comparison of how NBC News and The New York Times dealt with adversity in reporting the Weinstein story (Washington Post)

After learning that his tactics had successfully stymied an NBC News investigation into sexual assault allegations against him, Weinstein reportedly exclaimed, If I can get a network to kill a story, how hard can a newspaper be? But the producer was ultimately unsuccessful in killing the Times reporting, and now, two books from the journalists who led the investigations reveal the deliberations that went on inside both news organizations as the facts came to light. History provides few laboratories quite like the Weinstein story, a drama in which two prominent news organizations were working on the same hard-to-crack investigation at the same time, writes Erik Wemple. To judge from the two books and additional information, the reporters at the New York Times faced an exhausting fight against a resourceful Hollywood figure. The reporters at NBC News faced an exhausting fight against a resourceful Hollywood figure and against skittish bosses. Not a fair fight.

+ Noted: The Miami Herald is partnering with the Miami Foundation to launch an investigative journalism fund that will nearly double the size of its investigative team (Miami Herald); U.S. Postal Service announces new rates that could impact publishers (News Media Alliance); New report finds that more than two-thirds of journalists and newsrooms secure their communications while less than 50% did so two years ago (ICFJ); The Guardian launches subscriber-only, ad-free daily app (Digiday)

API UPDATE

In this weeks edition of Factually

As part of a fact-checking journalism partnership, API and the Poynter Institute highlight stories worth noting related to truth in politics and on the Internet. In the latest edition of Factually: newsrooms are gearing up to cover 2020 misinformation; how Spanish fact-checkers covered an explosion of fake news related to the Catalan sentencings; and why people older than 65 are six to seven times more likely to share false news than younger people.

TRY THIS AT HOME

Dont self-promote, and dont tease news stories: using Reddit for local journalism (Cronkite News Lab)

Reddit can be a fruitful source for story leads. But finding them is not the work of an afternoon, says Jeremy Jojola, an investigative reporter for 9NEWS in Denver. [Journalists] cant just swoop in and take content because over time your reputation online will diminish. If journalists are going to be using Reddit, they have to be a genuine part of the community. Jojola is an active user on the Denver subreddit, and when hes not gathering story ideas, hes participating and sharing stories he thinks those users will appreciate. His reputation as a user and a journalist has been noticed by the community, and he now gets tagged in posts that he sometimes turns into stories. But he often sees other journalists posting on Reddit with the clear intention of just getting traffic to their articles a big no-no. The users in that subreddit see right through that, and those users wont really upvote the posts, or theyll really slam on it, he said.

+ Earlier: The Washington Post on Reddit surprises users with its non-promotional, ultra helpful presence (Nieman Lab)

+ 10 startups helping simplify the world of media (Whats New in Publishing)

OFFSHORE

How Efecto Cocuyo is doing audience-centered reporting on Venezuelan migration (Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas)

Venezuelan news outlet Efecto Cocuyo is attempting to get closer to the massive story of the Venezuelan exodus which this summer topped 4 million people by collaborating with other Latin American news organizations to host an event series called Guayoyos con Migrantes. Guayoyo is a Venezuelan term for the coffee taken mid-morning or afternoon to make space for conversation, and its that informal social setting that Efecto Cocuyo and its partners are hoping to recreate for displaced Venezuelans. The conversations have become valuable opportunities for migrants to exchange information relative to their situations, and for journalists to understand the issues theyre facing on the ground.

+ India had its first WhatsApp election. We have a million messages from it. (Columbia Journalism Review)

OFFBEAT

How funders can support diversity, equity, and inclusion in journalism (Democracy Fund)

A new report from Democracy Fund and Dot Connector Studios found that organizations that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in journalism whether theyre news outlets that serve diverse populations or organizations that support those outlets receive a very small slice of journalism funding. Of the $1.1 billion that went into journalism in the U.S. from 2013-2017, only 8.1% went to DEI-focused efforts. There are a couple tools that can help funders give higher priority to DEI-focused organizations, writes Lea Trusty: the Racial Equity in Journalism Fund, a collaborative supporting news outlets and projects that serve communities of color, and Democracy Funds Journalism DEI Tracker, which helps funders identify prospective grantees.

UP FOR DEBATE

Dont let ABCs mistake fuel distrust of the media (Poynter)

After issuing the requisite apology, ABC has remained quiet over its slip-up earlier this week when it aired footage of what it claimed was Turkey bombing Kurdish civilians, which actually turned out to be video taken at a Kentucky shooting range. The networks silence gives critics an open field to stake their claim that it wasnt a mistake at all, but an intentional use of false footage to advance an ideological agenda, writes Peter Adams. Exactly how this breach of standards happened at ABC wont be known until the network comes clean and credibly explains what happened.

+ Defiant Zuckerberg says Facebook wont police political speech (New York Times); Will the 2020 U.S presidential election be all about fake political online ads? (Poynter)

SHAREABLE

So you thought the Ellen question at the debate was dumb. Well! (Washington Post)

The question, which referenced talk-show host Ellen DeGeneress decision to hang out with George W. Bush at a Dallas Cowboys game, was meant to encourage Democratic candidates to show how open they are to people whose perspectives and backgrounds are different from their own. Its been criticized as a softball question that stole the last opportunity to quiz the candidates on climate change or other pressing issues. But it was in line with the tradition of ending a news broadcast with a bit of fluff, writes Erik Wemple a tradition that many are now becoming impatient with. I think people say, No, when theyre on the stage to debate, lets have them debate, said Mark Lukasiewicz, a former NBC VP.

FOR THE WEEKEND

+ The Engaged Journalism Playbook (and an 8-step guide and free template for creating great surveys!) (Engaged Journalism Accelerator)

+ The Washington Posts inspired new TV app is about reading, not watching (Fast Company)

+ In the same year that the Charleston Gazette-Mail declared bankruptcy, went up for auction, got new local owners and went through layoffs, it more than doubled digital subscriptions (and thats not mentioning the Pulitzer Prize it won the year before). How they did it: tightening their paywall; saying no to mediocre story ideas; showing their value to the community; investing in a new podcast; and forming resource-saving partnerships with ProPublica and Report For America. (Poynter)

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Need to Know: Oct. 18, 2019 - American Press Institute

From Program Director and Southern Songs and Stories Producer Joe Kendrick:

"Hiss Golden Messenger founder MC Taylor and longtime band mate Phil Cook started working together within a day of meeting each other, and while Phil frequently leads his own band, he is also regularly on tour and on records with Hiss Golden Messenger, the band that Taylor founded in 2007. Youll hear conversations with both of them along with new music from Phil Cook and from Hiss Golden Messenger, including a live version of a track from the new album Terms Of Surrender in this episode of Southern Songs and Stories"

Hiss Golden Messenger With WNCW Program Director Joe Kendrick

Songs heard in this episode:

My Wing by Hiss Golden Messenger - excerpt, from Terms Of Surrender

Happy Birthday Baby" by Hiss Golden Messenger - excerpt, from Terms Of Surrender

Hungry Mother Blues - Live At The Cave by Phil Cook from As Far As I Can See

Cats Eye Blue - live 8-24-19 by Hiss Golden Messenger

Southern Grammar (live 8-22-19) by Hiss Golden Messenger

Thanks to Hiss Golden Messenger tour manager Luc Sur for his invaluable help in coordinating my interview with MC Taylor and for sending the bands live songs heard in this episode!

Southern Songs and Stories is produced in partnership with public radio station WNCW and the Osiris podcast network, and is available on podcast platforms everywhere. Would you like to help spread awareness of the artists featured here on Southern Songs and Stories, their music, and this series? Simply subscribe to the podcast and give it a good rating and a comment where you get your podcasts.

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Beautiful Intentional Communities With Hiss Golden Messenger on Southern Songs and Stories - WNCW

In the wake of catastrophic wildfires like the one in 2018 that burned the California city of Paradise, wildfire management has become a pressing topic, to say the least. Especially under scrutiny is the US Forest Services hundred-year policy of suppressing fireon the surface it makes sense. Fire burns houses and kills people. Its a terrible, uncontrollable enemy. Right?

Not necessarily. The native communities across California have been practicing traditional, controlled forest burning techniques for 13,000 years. From the great grasslands of central California to the salmon runs of the Klamath River, the Miwok, Yurok, Hupa, Karuk, and other nations have tended and provided for those plant and animal species that were useful to them. To do this, they created a patchwork of different ecological zones using low-intensity fire, creating niches that support Californias unbelievable biodiversity. Some of the California landscapes that look like pristine wilderness to the nonindigenous are actually human-modified ecosystems.

And many species have come to depend on low-intensity fire at a genetic level. We have fire-dependent species that coevolved with fire-dependent culture, says Frank Lake, a US Forest Service research ecologist and Yurok descendant. When we remove fire, we also take away the ecosystem services they produce.

To understand how indigenous cultural fire management works, I attended a Training Exchange, or TREX, a collaboration between the Yurok-led Cultural Fire Management Council and the Nature Conservancys Fire Learning Network. A couple of times a year, firefighters from around the world gather to learn from the best of the best, the Yurok traditional fire managers. We learned about the traditional uses of prescribed firesthey aid the acorn and huckleberry harvestsbut we also worked with modern tools like drip torches and atmospheric weather instruments. When everyone returns to manage their own homelands, they bring with them a deeper knowledge of how to use fire holistically to heal the land while preventing catastrophic and out-of-control wildfire.

For me, as a photographer used to working almost exclusively in the Arctic, I found this story to be challengingit was hot in Northern California in October! The first day I was on assignment, the mercury hit 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and I tried my best to keep making photographs with sweat dripping down my camera. Thankfully, within a day, the weather shifted and I learned to navigate this dry, beautiful landscape with the same sense of wonder as I do up North. Its hard to walk around inside a Yurok-burned forest without a sense of awe at the renewal of life and the ingenuity of its indigenous caretakers.

Go here to read the rest:

The Quiet, Intentional Fires of Northern California - WIRED