I am SO grateful to everyone who generously joined in a recent effort to collect and channel funds to causes and efforts that I believe will benefit the Black community.

🖤 Thank YOU.

This is my official report and public accounting of those funds.

Early in June I had this thought: Re-open registration for my yearlong 20in20 class at $60 and donate the proceeds. I posted to our private FB group asking for honest feedback. The response was overwhelming positive and supportive—so COOL. I set a goal that would force me to do uncomfortable things—like send emails and get on social media—to talk up the opportunity and encourage participation. I’m not entirely sure why, but promotion is NOT my favorite thing to do. It requires deliberate self-coaching and discomfort. I sincerely thought, “There is no way I’ll get 100 new students—so that was my goal!” On June 17th I sent my first email AND … when 50 people responded in just two days I knew this effort had very little to do with me.

There have now been 153 new registrations and it’s because of YOU. It’s because this world is filled with good people who want to contribute in positive ways. So, thank YOU.

Earlier this afternoon on everyone’s behalf, I submitted a donation of $4,800 to the NAACP Empowerment Programs and another donation for $2,400 to the Smithsonian National Museum of African America History and Culture.

So AWESOME.

I now have $800 to spend on books and other resources to donate to local libraries. As I have become more aware of my own white privilege and have contemplated what I can do to be an anti-racist and an advocate in my own community, I have felt prompted to focus on children and teens and providing materials that better represent people of color—in fiction, non-fiction and children’s picture books. I am now asking for recommendations. There are plenty of lists out there, but I’d love to make this a group effort (again) by those in my circles. Let’s make this as personal as we can!

📚 Please leave me a comment below with a book recommendation—or other resource that you want me to consider purchasing.

9.18.20 It’s official. All donations have been made. I met our local librarian—who got approval from our city council—and gave her a check to purchase books and materials that promote diversity and inclusion.

For Your Information: These are the details of what I proposed on the 20in20 class description and registration page

Recent events in the United States have created a deep desire in me to show up as an anti-racist and do something in my circle of influence to support people of color and the causes essential to their success. When you purchase a seat in 20in20, *ALL of the proceeds will be donated to the following organizations and efforts to effect needed change.

NAACP Empowerment Programs
From their website: NAACP Empowerment Programs engages primarily in training, education, and advocacy at the national and local levels. Your gift will help us continue working toward our mission of ensuring the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. I will donate 60% of 20in20 registration fees here.

National Museum of African American History & Culture Smithsonian
From their website: Help us tell the FULL African American Story. Donations help further the mission of the Museum and ensure its strong future. Please give as generously as possible to help elevate the African American experience to its rightful place at the center of our nation’s history and culture! I will donate 30% of 20in20 registration fees here.

My local library
With the remaining 10% of registration money collected, I will purchase as many books as I can to add more diversity to my local library, so children in my community can gain greater understanding about people of color.

*I want to be 100% honest about my intended donations. Here’s the fine print: If new enrollment in 20in20 exceeds 100 students, I will budget for 10 additional hours per month through the end of 2020 for my assistant, Nichole. Nichole’s support allows me to focus my time on content creation and interaction with my students. This increase is a fixed amount totaling $780. Let’s look at the math … with 100 new enrollments, I will be able to donate more than $3,000 to the NAACP and more than $1500 to the National Museum for African American History & Culture. I will have more than $500 to purchase books for my local library. Obviously if new enrollments exceed 100, I will have more funds to donate. Please help me share this effort with anyone who you believe would enjoy this online class experience.

Post image by Kat Yukawa on Unsplash