Blog

Summer BLOC Organizing

Date Published: 09/22/2020

In June, WA-BLOC partnered with the youth-led organization, Black Minds Matter, to mobilize and pressure the Seattle Public School Board to permanently remove School Resource Officers/School Emphasis Officers from schools and indefinitely end their relationship with the Seattle Police Department. After gaining the support of over 20,000 allies who signed the petition to help apply pressure, we made it happen! #StudentsHaveHadEnough

During our 2020 virtual Freedom School programming at Rainier Beach High School and Emerson Elementary we...

• Distributed 100 brand new children's books featuring 18 different amazing BIPOC authors to 50 scholars (thank you, Seattle Public Library!)
• Awarded 18 RBHS scholars $200 scholarship for attendance and participation for summer learning program
• Served weekly groceries to 40 families
• Distributed weekly academic toolkits to 30 elementary scholars with academic and enrichment supplies, snacks, and books
• Hosted weekly enrichment live and pre-recorded videos featuring southend artists and organizations including Ayanna Omar, Chef Michael Bradford, and Willie Austin Foundation
• Demonstrated growth in reading levels and vocabulary in 90%+ of scholars over summer
• Managed to still hire 8 summer program staff despite pandemic

A word from a Virtual Summer Learning Scholar...‍

"Something that went well during virtual summer learning is that I had fun and I started to like reading a little more. I also learned a few new words." - Diana, Week Six

A word from a Virtual Summer Learning Family...

"To all the educators at WA-BLOC,

Thank you for your help this summer teaching our kids to think about the larger world outside of our family at this time when they have to spend nearly all day at home. We are looking forward to next summer and normal activities with lots of kids again."

Development Update

WA-BLOC is a grantee of the Social Justice Fund's "Fund 4 the Frontlines" campaign and recently participated in a panel amongst other grantees as part of SJF's Virtual Annual Celebration. During the panel we discussed how our work has transformed to respond to the current crises, base-building within grassroots movements, undoing anti-Blackness in organizing, and more!