We're fast approaching the first day of school! Baltimore City and County schools open their doors on August 26.
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By highlighting the accomplishments, rich cultural heritage, and enduring legacy of the African diaspora, we can promote greater understanding and appreciation for the diversity of Black experiences and perspectives. Explore a few ways you can commemorate Black History Month in 2024 below.
The Black History Month 2024 theme is “African Americans and the Arts.” This theme highlights the significant impact that African Americans have had in various artistic fields such as “visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression.” This theme also allows us to explore art as a platform for social justice.
Celebrate Black History Month 2024 | National Museum of African American History and Culture
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On Thursday, February 22, over 50 staff members tuned in to join us in celebrating African Americans and the Arts at our Staff Open Mic. Thank you to all the staff members who shared a poem, story, song, or reading from their favorite Black artist or themselves, including:
WATCH THE LIVESTREAM (FOR STAFF ONLY)
The heritage committee would like for you to share with us a Black artist (painter, writer, singer, actor, poet, dancer, author etc.) whose work has impacted you and in what way(s).
To submit your response, email REI Health Specialist, Arie Hayre-Somuah with the subject “ Black History Month Raffle” by February 22nd, 2023 COB.
Responses submitted will be shared out with the community and participants will be entered to win 1 of 2 $25.00 gift cards to a local Black owned business!
Join us for an introduction to Black History Month on January 25th during the All staff meeting. Client Access Project Coordinator, Alkema Jackson, and Senior Client Relations Manager, Malcolm Williams, will lead an activity to get to know Black History.
Check out our presentation here
The legislative session is a great opportunity to advance justice in our State. Policies impacting racial equity are no exception. Every bill that we work on must be analyzed with a racial equity lens and there are a number of policies that can have an enormous impact on racial equity.
Get to know bill SB 370/HB 428, which would create eviction prevention funding through community schools. While there are people of every background in every corner of the state facing the threat of eviction today, Maryland’s long history of housing segregation and other discriminatory policies means that Black and Brown Marylanders are much more likely to be at risk of eviction. Black and Brown Marylanders are also much more likely to face structural barriers that affect their economic stability and mean it is much more likely they are just getting by. Ensuring that Black and Brown families have access to the vital lifeline of eviction prevention and avoid the poverty, job loss, and poor education and health outcomes that result from eviction will help right the wrongs of the past and expand opportunity.
Particularly as it relates to children, because of structural racism, One in Four Black children in rental households face the threat of eviction in a typical year. It is unacceptable.
Eviction prevention through rental assistance furthers racial equity categorically - Black-led (74%) households have avoided eviction with help from the state’s current emergency rental assistance program and likely will be evicted at much higher rates unless the Governor and General Assembly take action. It is time for the General Assembly to pass SB 370/HB 428!
To ask questions, learn more, or offer testimony, please reach out to Director of Public Policy, Joanna Diamond!
View the Black History Month 2023 webpage
Adedoyin Eisape, REI Program Manager II • Engagement & Policy
Arie Hayre-Somuah, REI Health Specialist • Behavioral Health
Alkema Jackson, She She/Her They/Them, Client Access Project Coordinator • Quality
Joanna Diamond, Director of Public Policy • Engagement & Policy
Malcolm Williams, Senior Client Relations Manager • Engagement & Policy
Janel Taylor, Talent Program Manager • Human Resources
Lisa Lefavore, Call Center Manager • Practice Operations
Christina Bauer, Director of Development • Development
Kyler Young, Case Manager • Housing Services
Isaiah Rigsby, SOAR Coordinator • Behavioral Health
Reach out to the Black History Month Planning Committee if you are interested in learning more, supporting upcoming events, or have any feedback.
We're fast approaching the first day of school! Baltimore City and County schools open their doors on August 26.
Anthony is always cracking jokes around 421 Fallsway, where he also volunteers to help other clients navigate their care.
Since 2019, Health Care for the Homeless has been part of the Renters United Maryland (RUM) coalition—a key
advocacy group advancing housing justice in Maryland. We talked to RUM leader Zafar Shah about the coalition
and wins this legislative session.
Join Our Team! Through the end of December 2024, we’re offering sign-on bonuses for full-time and part-time frontline positions in our clinics.