Join Over 30,000 People that Have Signed on, Expressing their Support for #DEI in the State of Texas

SIGN ON TODAY -https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfINihaX3zZV8.../viewform

 Thank you for 30K Signatures! Help Us Save Tenure, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion! 

 We're thrilled to share that we've reached an amazing milestone: 30,000 signatures on our Fight for DEI petition! Your support has been incredible, and we couldn't have done it without our amazing partners, including BBDP NextGen, Texas LULAC, National LULAC, the Texas NAACP, The Texas Black Legislative Caucus, the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the Texas AAUP, the Pro-Truth Faculty,  Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, the Ethnic Studies Coalition of Texas, the Texas Legislative Education Equity Coalition (comprised of over 35 organizations), the Texas Association for Mexican American Chambers of Commerce, the Texas Association for Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the Texas Association for Chicanos in Higher Education, the Latino Texas Policy Center, the Mexican American School Board Association, and the many educators, students, and volunteers that care.
 But our mission isn't over yet as the House Higher Education Committee is likely voting on Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) as early as tomorrow, Friday, May 12^th .
Besides signing, do reach out to these offices listed below to register your concerns about SB 17 that brings down everything DEI in all Texas colleges and universities.

 

• Speaker of the House, Representative Dade Phelan: (512) 463-1000
• Representative Travis Clardy (512) 463-0592
• Representative John Kuempel: (512) 463-0602
• Representative John Raney: (512) 463-0698
• 
  

You may also submit written testimony at this link.

 

Additional ways that you can contribute:

 Share, Share, Share! Spread the word about our petition far and wide. Your shares are crucial in amplifying our message and reaching more people.

 Keep Signing Up! Encourage others to add their names to the petition. Every signature brings us closer to protecting tenure, education, and diversity.

 Engage in Dialogue! Foster conversations about the importance of DEI. Share your stories and inspire change within your community.

 Stay Informed! Educate yourself on the issues at hand. Knowledge empowers us to advocate effectively.

 Together, we can make a difference! Sign the petition, share our message, and stand with us in the fight for DEI!

-Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D., co-founder

(with civil rights attorney Gary Bledsoe, Esq. and Colette Phillips)

Black Brown Dialogues on Policy

Social Media Links:

• Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamBlackBrown
• Visit our Website: Blackbrownpolicy.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamblackbrown/
• Twitter: @TeamBlackBrown
• Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@teamblackbrown

#DontletDEIdie @teamblackbrown #SaveDEI #Diversity #Inclusion #Equity

URGENT MATTER. Anti-DEI bills SB 17 & SB 18 are getting heard in the Texas Legislature Tomorrow. Pls sign Petition & Share with Your Networks

To all Scholars, Students, Friends, and Colleagues:

URGENT MATTER. Anti-DEI bills SB 17 & SB 18 are getting heard tomorrow, Monday, May 8, 2023, in the Texas State Legislature—and refer to eliminating DEI offices and tenure, respectively. If you cannot make it to the capitol tomorrow, you can still provide commentary at this link: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c290

It is not at all hyperbole to say that our state's DEI programs are under threat, and we need everybody's voice. These programs promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools and communities, and they are essential for creating a more just and equal society, on the one hand, a global competitiveness, on the other. However some lawmakers want to destroy these programs, putting so much of our civil rights progress at risk.

We can't let that happen. Join us in signing this petition to show your support for DEI programs in Texas. You can access it here directly or at the conclusion of our under 2-minute video.

Together, we can send a message to our lawmakers that these programs are important and that they must be protected. Let's work towards a future where everyone is valued and included. Sign the petition now and share with your friends and family.

We are making a documentary of this initiative. Like the legislation itself, it's a work in progress.

Thanks to Lana Husband, an award-winning documentarian for her beautiful work and for being with us in the struggle. Thanks, as well, to all of our super-talented Black Brown Dialogues on Policy Design Team for their phenomenal commitment to this project.

There will likely be a press conference tomorrow early afternoon on the matter tomorrow, too. I'll update the blog to reflect this once I have details. Please share with your networks.

-Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D., co-founder

(with civil rights attorney Gary Bledsoe, Esq. and Colette Phillips)

Black Brown Dialogues on Policy

Social Media Links:

• Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamBlackBrown
• Visit our Website: Blackbrownpolicy.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamblackbrown/
• Twitter: @TeamBlackBrown
• Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@teamblackbrown

#DontletDEIdie #teamblackbrown #SaveDEI #TexasForEquity #InclusionMatters

Such an honor to get recognized this past weekend by Texas NAACP President Gary Bledsoe at the State Convention

I'm still savoring the beautiful, heartfelt recognition I received this past weekend at the Texas NAACP Convention from Texas NAACP President Gary Bledsoe. Gary and I and my students and his staff worked together for years on important issues in the Texas State Legislature. I look forward to rekindling this work as we proceed forward in anticipation of the 88th (2023) session of the Texas State Legislature. A big shout-out to Yannis Banks with whom my students and I worked closely for many legislative sessions.

Here is the actual message on the award:

"For setting a tremendous example as a teacher and scholar, growing tremendous future Latino and African-American Leaders in education and being an asset to Brown and Black communities in many areas of important advocacy in education.”

A big thanks to Gary Bledsoe and Alberta Phillips-Bledsoe for their generosity and hospitality at the state convention this weekend. I am deeply touched.

The BIG message at this convention is that we all need to get out and vote, lest extremists revive Jim Crow in its many manifestations. Encouraging words expressed, as well, regarding the historic and vital partnership between LULAC and the NAACP. 

More to come, my friends, on the importance of Black Brown Dialogues on Policy (BBDP), a project that Gary, myself, and others are currently working on as co-founders. A special shout out to BBDP co-founder, Colette Phillips, as well, for joining us on Saturday and for supporting this important work. She is on the site committee for what will be a fully in-person NAACP National Convention that takes place in Boston in 2023.

-Angela Valenzuela

@ LULAC @NAACP