East Point Peace Academy

Public Apology to Idle No More SF Bay
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We, as an organization, publicly apologize to Idle No More SF Bay, the Delegate and any participants of Line 3 that were impacted/harmed by the actions of representatives of East Point; unsanctioned by the East Point Board.
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Please see the attached or the post on our website for full statement at https://www.eastpointpeace.org/public_apology?recruiter_id=232 Unfortunately the entirety of the statement won't fit on the post.

Dear East Point Peace Academy community,

We are pleased to announce that one of our members has agreed to step up to act as an Interim Leadership Team member for East Point. Jimmy Ballard brings with him many years of practical experience both as a community leader and as a Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation trainer. We are going to let him introduce himself with his own words!

Born in the deep south, I am a product of the Jim Crow era and the resulting Civil Rights movement. Throughout my lifetime, I have been directly or indirectly impacted by the racist and hate driven ideologies of slavery, segregation, mass incarceration and the far reaching tentacles of other such racial caste systems throughout the world.

The driving force in my life is my spiritual faith and a belief in the infinite wisdom of the guiding principles of nonviolence. As a leadership team member, I aim to advance the cause of social justice through the teachings of Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation. I further intend to create a space for a "just peace" that fosters healing in individuals, and cultivates leaders who in turn facilitate the healing of others. Through collaboration with other community organizations, and networking with individuals, businesses, and service providers, I hope to reach across cultural and economic divides in the creation of a more just society.

I believe that in order to strengthen community resolve in our at-risk communities, we must first recruit and train a diverse group of peace warriors and supporters who can effectively reach across social constructs to address the issues that most affect our at-risk communities.

The ultimate goal is to use nonviolence to counter the negative effects of injustice in our society. I look forward to serving our community.

Please join us in welcoming Jimmy into this new role with East Point Peace Academy!

In community and love,

East Point Peace Academy
Board of Directors

Dear East Point Family,

East Point Peace Academy has long recognized the impact of socio-economic injustice and the legacy of race, gender and class discrimination that has decimated our communities on a large scale. As Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation practitioners, we endeavor to move collaboratively in the direction of social justice while recognizing that there will be conflicting methods and differences of opinions on how we get there. And we know that the arc of the universe bends towards justice, therefore “every step taken towards justice is a step in the right direction.” Inasmuch as Kazu Haga has resigned from the Leadership Team to pursue his interests, we want to acknowledge his community work and collaborations in the development of East Point and its programs over the past 10 years.

Our Board members are contemplating the next steps to ensure this change results in the best path forward. The Board will engage an interim Leadership Team member to care for the organization during this time of transition. As an organization, East Point remains committed to continuing the work of institutionalizing and internationalizing the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through offering Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation trainings and related programming.

We value our communities and appreciate your patience and continued support during this period of contemplation and renewal. An announcement regarding our interim Leadership Team Member will be forthcoming. Please forward any questions or concerns to [email protected].

In love and community,

East Point Peace Academy
Board of Directors

On November 23rd, join Kazu Haga as we explore different understandings of "accountability," and how we move away from a world that conflates accountability and punishment. The Beloved Community Well is a community of practice that meets every Wednesday from 5-6:30PM PT, 8-9:30PM ET.

Beloved Community Well: Accountability as an Act of Love Join us for Beloved Community Well: Accountability as an Act of Love

On November 16th, we will spend time in racial affinity groups to deep in relationship. Join Leonie Smith, Kate Dunn and Kazu Haga for this relational session of the Beloved Community Well, a community of practice that meets every Wednesday from 5-6:30PM PT and 8-9:30PM ET.

Beloved Community Well: Affinity Spaces Join us for Beloved Community Well: Affinity Spaces!

Join us November 9th for a session on Healing and Trauma, led by Vickie Chang and Samir Patel. The Beloved Community Well is a community of practice that meets every Wednesday from 5-6:30PM PT, 8-9:30PM ET.

Beloved Community Well: Healing & Trauma Join us for Beloved Community Well: Healing & Trauma!

Part of building movements is about slowing down enough to attend to what is present, to heal and strengthen relationships. Every other week, our Beloved Community Well will slow down and focus on supporting and strengthening relationships. Join Sarah Bunting and laura ann coelho for this upcoming session!

The Beloved Community Well is a community of practice that meets every Wednesday from 5-6:30PM PT, 8-9:30PM ET.

Beloved Community Well: Relational Session Join us for Beloved Community Well: Relational Session!

Join Vickie Chang and Samir Patel in an important discussion on Healing & Trauma in our Beloved Community Well! Join us every Wednesday from 5-6:30PM PT/8-9:30PM ET!

Beloved Community Well: Healing & Trauma Join us for Beloved Community Well: Healing & Trauma!

Join Leonie Smith and Catherine Strickland from the Necessary Trouble Collective on Oct 26th for an Intro session on Nonviolent Communication! This is part of our Beloved Community Well, every Wednesday from 5-6:30PM PT/8-9:30PM ET!

Beloved Community Well: Intro to Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Join us for Beloved Community Well: Intro to Nonviolent Communication (NVC)!

Please donate to our Internal Reparations Fund, which will go support BIPOC leaders in the Bay Area chapter of the Fierce Vulnerability Network!

Bay Area Fierce Vulnerability Network (FVN) Internal Reparations Fund Help us raise money to help offset needs-based costs for BIPOC participants who would otherwise not be able to participate in FVN activities in the Bay Area!

Join us for tomorrow's Beloved Community Well, where we will break into racial affinity groups to slow down, deepen in relationships and support each other in community. Join us every Wednesday from 5-6:30PM PT/8-9:30PM ET for our Beloved Community Well!

Beloved Community Well: Affinity Spaces Join us for Beloved Community Well: Affinity Spaces!

Check out the recording from last week's Beloved Community Well, "Meeting Our Shadows" with Luis Miranda. And join us every Wednesday from 5-6:30PM PT/8-9:30PM ET for our Beloved Community Well series! This week's session will be a relational affinity group, with time to slow down, build relationships and support each other in racial affinity groups. Join us!

BCW: Meeting Our Shadows with Luis on 10.12.22 Meeting Our Shadows Activity Handout: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1znfVW5d6krXqlLHoYE47bGKEbxbzBgVr/view?usp=sharing