Many Voices One Tribe First Trip!
Donation protected
I am asking for your help to get Zion, Eyerusalem, Azeb, Jordan and I to Veracruz Mexico for two weeks this July.
This trip is not a vacation, but rather a catalyst for young writers of color to travel outside of their comfort zones, to deepen their craft and to explore their identities in a global context.
My name is Reagan Jackson. I'm a writer, a teacher, a community organizer, and a study abroad program leader based in Seattle, Washington. Since 2006 I've taken over 200 youth abroad to Guatemala and Japan and provided support for programs to the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago.
It's been amazing to work on other people's programs, but something I have realized is that while many programs provide money to be inclusive of "underrepresented minorities" it takes more than money to be inclusive.
I decided to start a program for young writers of color called Many Voices One Tribe based on the philosophy that travel and writing are a powerful catalyst to self exploration of our identities and becoming global citizens. This a program by people of color, for people of color. Here is a link to an article with more background.
http://www.seattleglobalist.com/2014/10/27/study-abroad-program-people-of-color-seattle-many-voices-one-tribe/29996
As with any new thing, this adventure has been a challenge. For many of the youth I am working with, Mexico seems too far away, not just geographically, but in terms of what they can imagine. I started this journey with an amazing co-facilitator and 14 young dreamers. We have done everything we can to support our young writers, but many of them have faced unexpected challenges ranging from financial hardship, to changing schools, to not having enough family support. Only 3 incredible youth have been able to stay the course. This of course has greatly altered our budget. The langauge school has generously donated lodging for Jordan and I, but we still need plane tickets and money for museums and in country excursions.
When I think about what travel has done to make me who I am, I want to give back by making sure these youth have the opportunity to travel, but especially to travel with other people of color who can help them process their experiences.
We need your help to make this a reality. Anything you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks!
This trip is not a vacation, but rather a catalyst for young writers of color to travel outside of their comfort zones, to deepen their craft and to explore their identities in a global context.
My name is Reagan Jackson. I'm a writer, a teacher, a community organizer, and a study abroad program leader based in Seattle, Washington. Since 2006 I've taken over 200 youth abroad to Guatemala and Japan and provided support for programs to the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago.
It's been amazing to work on other people's programs, but something I have realized is that while many programs provide money to be inclusive of "underrepresented minorities" it takes more than money to be inclusive.
I decided to start a program for young writers of color called Many Voices One Tribe based on the philosophy that travel and writing are a powerful catalyst to self exploration of our identities and becoming global citizens. This a program by people of color, for people of color. Here is a link to an article with more background.
http://www.seattleglobalist.com/2014/10/27/study-abroad-program-people-of-color-seattle-many-voices-one-tribe/29996
As with any new thing, this adventure has been a challenge. For many of the youth I am working with, Mexico seems too far away, not just geographically, but in terms of what they can imagine. I started this journey with an amazing co-facilitator and 14 young dreamers. We have done everything we can to support our young writers, but many of them have faced unexpected challenges ranging from financial hardship, to changing schools, to not having enough family support. Only 3 incredible youth have been able to stay the course. This of course has greatly altered our budget. The langauge school has generously donated lodging for Jordan and I, but we still need plane tickets and money for museums and in country excursions.
When I think about what travel has done to make me who I am, I want to give back by making sure these youth have the opportunity to travel, but especially to travel with other people of color who can help them process their experiences.
We need your help to make this a reality. Anything you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks!
Organizer
Reagan Jackson
Organizer
Seattle, WA