Resources for Our Black and IPOC-Identifying Community
In the wake of the recent murders of Jacob Blake, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others at the hands of state-sanctioned racist violence, people are protesting all over the world in defense of Black lives. We’re also in the midst of a global pandemic that is disproportionately affecting Black communities. Though people are standing up all over the world to say “Enough is enough,” this is just as much a moment of immense mourning for the Black community. In partnership with the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, we’ve gathered some community healing resources for our Black and Indigenous and People of Color (IPOC)-identifying students, faculty, staff, and community. We encourage you to take what you need, leave what you don’t, and let us know if there is anything you’d like to see here.
Resources for Mental Health
For Students:
Counseling Services is working on a list of therapists skilled in navigating racial trauma. Please contact Dr. Jennifer Morse, Executive Director of Wellness at jmorse@chatham.edu or Counseling Services (412-365-1282) for additional information or for a list of BIPOC mental health providers and LGBTQIA+ affirming providers.
For Faculty and Staff:
LifeSolutions is available with counseling support. You can access additional information on the website at www.lifesolutionsforyou.com.
Racial Trauma Toolkit: This manuscript provides detail of a racism recovery plan; the infographic is a short version of the same.
For Anyone:
Check out these organizations which offer therapy resources for people of color:
BetterHelp – offering one month of free therapy
The Safe Place app
Check out Vice’s Self-Care Tips for Black People Who Are Struggling with this Very Painful Week by Rachel Miller
Check out Black Girls Smile’s extensive list of Black mental health resources
Resources for Physical Health
Check out this list of Black women fitness gurus with YouTube channels
Yoga Journal has a list of 31 Yoga & Self Care Resources for Black Yogis, featuring sound healing, podcasts on navigating grief, yoga flows, stretches, and much more
Check out this list of free virtual workouts available to anyone
Resources for Community
Consider connecting with Chatham’s Black Student Union
Follow the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion on Instagram at @odei_cu
Grab take out from one of these Black-owned restaurants in Pittsburgh
Rachel Miller recommends finding community online with hobby groups like Black Girl Gamers
Resources for Protesting
If you are protesting right now, check out these resources to help keep you safe:
ACLU’s comprehensive protestor rights or this thread on Twitter
Follow these tips (at your own discretion):
What to wear: nondescript, layered clothing; hide identifying tattoos; goggles; write your emergency contact on your arm; heat-resistant gloves; hair pulled back; athletic shoes; mask
What to bring: water, snacks, washcloth, cash, extra ID, earplugs, bandages and first aid supplies, protest signs
Don’t bring: a cell phone without first turning off face/touch ID & going on airplane mode/disabling data, contact lenses, jewelry
Stay in a group
What you can do from home: use your platform; support Black-owned businesses; put up flyers in your area; sign petitions; donate to national and local organizations; contact officials to demand justice
Resources for JOY AS RESISTANCE
For a dose of socially-distant goodness, search the hashtag #blackjoy on Instagram and Twitter
Check out NPR Heat Check’s playlist of radical Black joy
Thank you to Dr. Randi Congleton, Skukura Woods, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for helping us compile these resources.
