![]() The Community Gathering & Racial Awareness Picnic served to create a community-orientated mindful space where people can share and talk about past experiences of discrimination and racism. This event designed and facilitated by high school student Annette Salas, launched our Racial Healing Hub GenZ whereby we mentor and support young adults in developing their voice and leadership skills in the racial justice arena. Our circle talks take place in-person and virtually. We create space for multicultural, multi-generational groups of individuals to participate in talks in a way that is mindful, reflective and courageous. GenZ Presents: Community Gathering & Racial Awareness Picnicįacilitating conversations that model speaking about race is a major pillar of the Hub’s work. Attendees watch a performance at Sounds of Justice. Approximately 50 invited guests and passersby engaged in listening to the performers and in interactive stations supporting the mainstage event. Songs were performed in English, Chinese, and Greek. Singers expounded on the meaning of their pieces. For this event, it was important to the organizing team to aggregate singers that represented different cultures. The process of organizing Racial Healing Hub events begins with a core group of founding volunteers and new volunteers that are welcomed to conceptualize, plan, and implement the events. They each offered a musical expression from various artistic and cultural perspectives to inspire reflection, learning, and call to action for racial justice. Through this curated event, eight independent artists were invited to perform. Music and song were used as vehicles for storytelling and connecting to the hearts of listeners at A. Sounds of Justice was an excellent example of HWC’s Hub at work. Virtual opportunities to engage: During the 6th Annual National Day of Racial Healing, HWC Executive Director Vivian Williams-Kurutz and thought leader Jon Kabat Zinn, focused on the synergy of work the two are doing in the area of mindfulness based racial healing. For those who cannot attend in person, social media posts provide a way for people to connect virtually. Writing, spoken word, music, and making art are all employed as tools to connect one to themselves and each other. The Hub recognizes the power of art to inform, inspire, and call to action. Utilizing an interactive arts based framework, our events in public spaces (primarily parks) provide the opportunity for a diverse group of local residents to connect with each other, brings residents from different communities to visit and interact in new settings, and provides the evidenced based benefits of being outdoors in nature. The Racial Healing Hub harnesses the power of art, reflection, and authentic connection to affect fundamental changes in individuals and institutions by promoting truth, reconciliation, healing the racial divide, and ending systemic racism. ![]() The Racial Healing Hub (The Hub) responds to the critical need for skillfully curated conversations and activities surrounding racial identity, systems, healing, and equity. We work to bend the arc toward equity through our Mindfulness-Based Racial Healing program implemented through various community events. The damage caused by racism and societal structures that oppress others is as apparent and perplexing today as it has ever been in our local communities. The HWC believes deeply that social connectivity and community building creates a foundation for reimagining a world designed for all to flourish. The Harlem Wellness Center (HWC) is one of the Fund’s many esteemed Partner Projects based in NYC.
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