We are 30 Bridge Builders youth fellows from across the Greater Memphis area working to build an intersectional movement to create profound positive change in our community. We are working with community partners to increase youth voice in the political process, create more brave, safe and educated spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, unite youth activists to end the school-to-prison pipeline, and stop sexual harassment and assault. Will you join us?
Check out our latest events and news
February 2020
Cohort updates
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MEMPHIS AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT (MASHA)
With a great start to the semester, MASHA has begun working with Tonya Reece of Bridge Builders CONNECT and collecting surveys to create the curriculum for a teen dating violence prevention workshop.They continue to build a helpful partnership with Mary Tucker, Shelby County School's new and first full-time Title IX coordinator. With this assistance from Reece and Tucker, as well as some other potential community partners, MASHA will write up recommendations for schools on how to end teen dating violence. |
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GENDER AND SEXUALITY (GAS)
On February 1st, the Gender and Sexuality (GAS) Cohort held another Brave, Safe, and Educated Interest meeting, celebrating the LGBT-inclusive certification of Facing History and Ourselves, the Orpheum Theatre Group, Theatre Memphis, and the Rhodes College Psychology and Urban Studies Departments. The meeting received representatives from Crosstown High, the Pink Palace Museum, Hattiloo Theatre, CLOUD901 Teen Learning Lab, Hiestand Psychological Services, Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, Memphis Friends Meeting (Quakers), and Mrs. Aline's Community Garden. If you would like to assist GAS in making schools and classrooms LGBTQ+ friendly, sign up to attend the Inclusive Classrooms Criteria Convention on March 7th, from 2-5 pm at BRIDGES (477 N. 5th St.). Another way you can help GAS is by watching and sharing their recent documentary on struggles faced by the Memphis LGBTQ+ community, which was filmed at Memphis Pride Fest 2019.
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EDUCATION JUSTICE (EDJ)
This year, in order to better plan future organizing and advocacy efforts, Education Justice (EDJ) has begun building a new community partnership with Kelvin Hart, the highly experienced SCS district official working with the office of Student Equity Enrollment and Discipline (SEED). They have also begun collaboration with Frank Jemison, the Director of Education Outreach at the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Awareness Foundation to discuss how to organize around passing the Handle With Care Act, which aims to connect youth who experience traumatic events-- such as domestic violence, drug abuse, death in the family, and other struggles--to trauma-informed school resources. |
JANUARY 2020
COHORT UPDATES
MEMPHIS YOUTH UNION (MEMYU)
This semester, MEMYU recruited members for and executed the inaugural Shelby County Youth Council, launched a video campaign to educate youth on the political process, and advised the Countywide Juvenile Justice Consortium in the effort to create a youth-friendly video. In the upcoming semester, MEMYU will create a youth policy agenda formed from youth voice across Shelby County.
This semester, MEMYU recruited members for and executed the inaugural Shelby County Youth Council, launched a video campaign to educate youth on the political process, and advised the Countywide Juvenile Justice Consortium in the effort to create a youth-friendly video. In the upcoming semester, MEMYU will create a youth policy agenda formed from youth voice across Shelby County.
MEMPHIS AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE (MASHA)
MASHA held a 3rd Survivor Power Coffee Hour, strengthened their partnership with Shelby County Schools and the Memphis Area Women’s Council. In the new semester, MASHA will be working with new Title IX coordinator of Shelby County Schools, Mary Tucker, to plan further steps in the project to significantly reduce harassment and assault among youth.
MASHA held a 3rd Survivor Power Coffee Hour, strengthened their partnership with Shelby County Schools and the Memphis Area Women’s Council. In the new semester, MASHA will be working with new Title IX coordinator of Shelby County Schools, Mary Tucker, to plan further steps in the project to significantly reduce harassment and assault among youth.
GENDER AND SEXUALITY (GAS)
Gender and Sexuality (GAS) certified 10 new Brave, Safe, & Educated spaces, launched a documentary filmed at Pride about the importance of inclusive spaces, and held their first interest meeting for other organizations interested in becoming BSE. In the upcoming semester, GAS will begin certifying individual classrooms as BSE. You can join our effort for inclusive classrooms by nominating your favorite teachers and organizations by visiting the GAS page on our website.
Gender and Sexuality (GAS) certified 10 new Brave, Safe, & Educated spaces, launched a documentary filmed at Pride about the importance of inclusive spaces, and held their first interest meeting for other organizations interested in becoming BSE. In the upcoming semester, GAS will begin certifying individual classrooms as BSE. You can join our effort for inclusive classrooms by nominating your favorite teachers and organizations by visiting the GAS page on our website.
EDUCATION JUSTICE (EDJ)
EDJ is exploring several policy options to pursue in the upcoming semester. These include increasing the number of counselors and nurses present at Shelby County schools while decreasing police presence, supporting a state-wide push to pass the ‘Handle with Care’ policy in Tennessee, working with community partners and SCS board to develop and pass a community standards review board to implement more restorative justice practices in schools, and helping organizations connect with SCS students.
EDJ is exploring several policy options to pursue in the upcoming semester. These include increasing the number of counselors and nurses present at Shelby County schools while decreasing police presence, supporting a state-wide push to pass the ‘Handle with Care’ policy in Tennessee, working with community partners and SCS board to develop and pass a community standards review board to implement more restorative justice practices in schools, and helping organizations connect with SCS students.
How DO YOU Report sexual violence in your school? VISit masha's page HERE to learn more on our new initiative
MEMYU ON LIVE @ 9 (Click on the photo to view)
