YDEV 501 - WEEK 9 Blog 6

 BLOG POST #6 What is a space that you are/have been a part of that is grounded in values and practices outside of whiteness? Describe this space--the explicit and implicit beliefs and values that shape policy, practice, and relational work. What does it look like? Feel like in your body and movements? How does it sound? Taste?

I work in a college access program with first-generation, low-income students of color. The organization was created to support marginalized communities to start more access to college and now careers. There is an intentional discussion of students who come from low income, undocumented/refugee backgrounds, and are 1st generation students, and is the explicit belief in which we serve our majority BIPOC students. The schools in which we serve also have a direct connection of touching the young people who are actively not supported. We work to help students strengthen their goals and make them confident individuals regardless of their skin color. We support individualism where kids can take a path that is rare. Encouraging students on their path to success and offering active emotional and academic support embeds the values we stand on. It's working on a resume, on a scholarship, on a mentorship, and teaching leadership, especially on diversity equity, and inclusion. The belief and value system in that space is to createquity through education and supportive mentorship throughout middle school till 1st year of college. The name change of the organization from the crusade to a more college AND career valued organization shows their value. They open opportunities up to students without fixating on college access as it pertains to success! The space sound like laughter, like foul language, like food, drinks, like open door policy, financial literacy conversations, fears around citizenship, social emotional process, complaints of common app, and panic of college deadlines, etc. Feels like jumping while playing In the river on the bridge or watching a tedtalk on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's The danger of a Single story.