Open Boulevards:
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Keep chipping away until you discover the gemWant to be inspired? Listen to this interview with Syda on Julia Bruns' podcast, The Peace and Possibilities. "Get ready to learn all about feeling alive and going after what you want, from awesome people who have been there. Making it happen is easier than you think, you just need a few simple tips and reminders. We share stories with amazing people who have figured out how to do work they love, so others can see what's possible. Get ready to be inspired! Come along on this journey with me. After all, we're all in this together... "
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Creating Psychological SafetyOrganic Oneness and UCAN teamed up to conduct six training sessions on Psychological Safety for LGIM America.
Many people and companies are dedicating themselves to transform their environment, goals, language, mindset, internal and external structures, and so many other things to embrace and benefit the diversity of our human family. What are effective qualities we should bring to a space to be more welcoming and embrace our differences as gifts? What are ineffective qualities we need to get rid of that make people shut down and leave? Transformation starts with you! |
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Bronzeville CommUNITY CelebrationOn Saturday, September 25th, 2021 Organic Oneness and Ellis Park Advisory Council convened over 30 partners in Bronzeville to carry out the Bronzeville CommUNITY Celebration focused on Health, Healing, Love & Unity at Ellis Park for over 500 people.
Families enjoyed pony rides, petting zoo, chess, bingo, free lunch, bouncy houses, story telling, drum circles and more! The stage performances incorporated Interfaith devotionals where Van Gilmore and choir singers represented the Baha'i Faith, followed by community building & artistic pieces by the LUV Institute, movement exercises by Glorious Light Church, and DJ music by Brian Gorman. Phillips High School Marching Band and our elected officials, 4th Ward Alderman Sophia King and President of Cook Country Toni Preckwinkle, also joined us during lunch provided by Ain't She Sweet. After lunch, Jazz Diva Senebella, and Vandercook Youth Ensemble concluded the event. |
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Beautify Bronzeville BusinessesOrganic Oneness and community partners in Bronzeville gathered 60 volunteers to beautify boarded up businesses that were damaged in response to the killing of George Floyd. Watch the short video by Globe Town to get a glimpse of service, solidarity and unity in the community. Volunteers painted an entire block with beautiful murals designed and led by Damon Reed and Rahmaan “Statik” Barnes on 47th and Cottage Grove, Shops and Lofts. Photos by Nancy Wong.
Read more about this event from a Baha'i perspective. |
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"Can We Talk" with Penn Badgley and Dr. Nura Mowzoon
On October 14th, 2021, Organic Oneness hosted Actor Penn Badgley and Professor Dr. Nura Mowzoon to conduct their "Can We Talk" discourse series at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Our collaborative efforts were able to bring together 1200+ students and community members for a critical dialogue with our guest speakers on why building healthy relationships is an important component in social justice work. The Daily Illini capured their insights on the importance of feeling uncomfortable, read more here.
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North Lawndale
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Open Boulevards on Drexel
On Sunday, November 7th Organic Oneness was a part of Open Boulevards on Drexel on 43rd-45th. This is an initiative that allows Chicago to bring communities together as it safely reopens.
Our tent raised the level of consciousness by handing out balloons that said Truth, Justice, Love, and Unity, along with stickers and tattoos that said, We Are One Family, World Citizen, and No Room in My Heart for Prejudice. Partners included Alderman Sophia King, Chicago Department of Transportation, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Equiticity, Chicago Park District, Quad Communities Development Corporation, Chicago Race Riots of 1919 Commemoration Project, and many amazing partners. |
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The Art of Collaboration
Creating Quality Partnerships
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Organic Oneness was a part of Equiticity's Community Mobility Rituals Webinar Series in April 2022.
The intent of the series is to share with the world what Community Mobility Rituals are; how they are planned and executed; the impact they are having on people, neighborhoods, cities, and community partners; and the research which supports intended and achieved impacts. The webinar series includes panelists from across the United States who are all practitioners actively organizing CMRs in their respective cities and communities. |
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The Practice Podcast: Co-Creating With Communities To Promote Interconnectedness
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Listen to an episode of The Practice Podcast with Brett M. Amron and Jeffrey Bast from BAST AMRON LLP. In this episode, Syda talks about her personal journey in starting a multi-state organization, understanding climate issues and policies, the importance of staying connected to our communities, and how we can affect the lives around us. She shares some perspectives on building structures to help social activists, preventing illness and burn-out, and promoting compassion. The podcast was created to help business leaders and lawyers understand business and legal issues without all the complicated lawyer language.
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Too Critical to Fail:
Tips for Working Effectively With Community-Based Organizations
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Syda was a part of a Webinar Hosted by UCAN for the American Psychological Association’s Minority Fellowship Program. She was on a panel with Dr. Carolyn Vessel, President and CEO of I AM A.B.L.E. and Pastor James Brooks, Harmony Baptist Church and CEO of Lawndale Christian Health Center where they gave their unique perspectives on topics of health, equity, community engagement, and partnerships. Claude Robinson VP, External Affairs and Diversity moderated the conversation then panelist and guest went deeper into conversation in breakout sessions.
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Over $22,000 Funds Raised for Arts Programming in Bronzeville!
Organic Oneness reached out to our beloved network with a fundraising campaign to help students from Doolittle Elementary see Alvin Ailey Dance Theater perform at the Auditorium Theater and build an arts immersion program at the school. With the help of board members, many high profile supporter, and all of you, we raised over $22,000 in one weekend! Thank you Dr. Joy DeGruy, Rainn Wilson, and Liz Dwyer for pushing this campaign on your social media platforms, and Block Club Chicago for covering the story!
Block Club Chicago followed the story Article I , Article II : Syda Segovia Taylor, who is a dancer, said that when Jones suggested the trip to see the famed historically Black dance troupe live she jumped at the chance to help. “Music and dance activates the creative parts of our brain, and that’s not always activated through traditional classwork. We become solution-oriented. It opens up a whole new world of what’s possible,” Segovia Taylor said. |
Art as Healing:LeClaire Hearst Community
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On June 24, 2021 Organic Oneness (OO), Academy for Global Citizens (AGC), and community partners used art to co-created a space for healing together after being isolated and on-line all year due to Covid-19. This community project activated vibrant spaces for outdoor classrooms and events. While the end product is beautiful, AGC and OO were excited about the process. We see art as a healing process which will help us establish relationships amongst community members. We believe that through service, solidarity and unity in the community, we can achieve connections, empathy and compassion. Watch this short video to see everyone in creating this beautiful space together!
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Candid Conversation with HealersWatch Candid Conversations with "Healers" from Chicago that are working towards racial justice and healing. In this episode Syda Taylor, Organic Oneness' Executive Director joins the panel discussion hosted by The Chief Equity Officer from the Mayor's Office of Chicago, Candace Moore and Public Narrative's Executive Director, Jhmira Alexander. Candid Conversations is part of the The Together We Heal Initiative in Chicago where local healers, neighbors and faith leaders discuss community level healing and talk about their experience and challenges on this long and thorny but hopeful road.
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NATIONAL DAY OF HEALINGOn January 21, 2020 Organic Oneness, Public Narrative, and Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) conducted a healing circle where Candace Moore, Chief of Diversity and Inclusion for Mayor's Office, revealed the Proclamation of Racial Healing for the City of Chicago.
Nilufar Rezai, treasurer of OO, led a monthly parent meeting healing circle with other Chicago Public School Staff. TRHT ended the week with an amazing Jamboree! |
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IMPACT YOUTH CONFERENCE
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