Showing Up for Racial Justice-Santa Cruz County, CA

Cultivating Care

4th Monday of the Month • Starts January 26 • 5:30-7:30 PM • Free
Aptos Library • 7695 Soquel Drive • Aptos • wheelchair accessible

Our Purpose
In the spirit of collective, interconnected liberation, the intention of Cultivating Care is to actively build anti-racist culture by understanding and dismantling white supremacy as it exists in ourselves and our culture. While we are clear that we must also work in relationship with Black and BIPOC humans to create new systems where all people are valued and thriving, this group is for being in compassionate relationship with each other to address our whiteness. This container is for all of us, wherever we are on our racial justice journey, to have courageous, vulnerable conversations that foster belonging, healing, calling in and showing up.

This space is for:

White people who are new to anti-racism work and want a place to begin learning responsibly
White people who have been engaged in this work and want to continue deepening their practice
People who are willing to be challenged, reflect on their impact, and take accountability for harm
Participants who understand that this space is about learning, not perfection
People who understand this is ongoing work, not a one-time learning experience

Why is this space centered on white people? Are you centering whiteness?
For decades—and longer—Black and BIPOC leaders have called on white people to “get your people”: to take responsibility for organizing within white communities and addressing racism there. Because of racism, white people often have greater access to and influence with other white people, and therefore, have a responsibility to engage their people and communities in this work. This space is one response to that call.

Is this space only for white people?
No. Everyone is welcome to attend. However, the content, focus, and structure of the group are designed primarily to support white people in their anti-racism learning and organizing.

Register here for Cultivating Care

Pre-MLK March Community Sign-Making with RCNV AND Community Response Action

Saturday • January 10 • 12-4 PM • Sign Making • wheelchair accessible • Free
Resource Center for Nonviolence • 612 Ocean St • Santa Cruz•

Immediately After • 4-5 PM • Honor Everyone Harmed by ICE
Signs on Ocean St • Santa Cruz

The Resource Center for Nonviolence invites you to gather to make signs on January 10 and march together on January 19, honoring Dr. King’s legacy of nonviolence and love.

They have also decided to also use this opportunity to hold a local, nonviolent response to the national call for January 10th actions calling for #IceOut, #NoWarForOil, and #WorkersOverBillionaires.

Here’s the plan:

🕛 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Community Sign-Making & Solidarity
Gather to make signs, honoring Renee Nicole Good and all others harmed by a global system of violence—from ICE brutality at home to militarism abroad. All materials provided. Local artist @abimustapha will join us to offer artistic input. Just bring your passion for justice and drop in anytime. Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mlk-march-community-sign-making-march-with-rcnv-tickets-1978659977256

🕓 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Peaceful Community Action
We will take the signs we’ve made and hold a peaceful, visible stand along Ocean Street, calling for dignity and human rights.