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There’s no doubt that African American history here in the United States is rich. From Black Patriots in the Revolutionary War, to Lewis Howard Latimer – the real inventor of the light bulb, to Colin Kaepernick standing up to the NFL, we have much to celebrate and many to honor. Whether we choose to recognize it or not, history shows us that many of the battles Black people fought to maintain our own human dignity were won under inhuman systems of labor – literally on the split-open backs of...

For many kids, sitting still all day in school is a big challenge, which is why movement breaks are good practice, whether it's in elementary school or high school. Additionally, learning science shows us that movement activates the brain and improves cognition. "This idea of children sitting for long periods of time, they aren’t naturally wired to do that," said Dr. Pamela Cantor, Founder and Chief Science Advisor of Turnaround for Children in an Edutopia video series on the science of...

You may know someone directly or indirectly affected by the tornadoes that swept through Alabama and Georgia Sunday that left at least 23 people dead. What survivors need most right now is for others to help them know that they are not alone and that there are people in their life that they can turn to for help. Unfortunately, I’ve found that few people are equipped to recognize the signs of posttraumtic stress disorder ( PTSD ) or give assistance. That’s why I’ve asked one of the country's...

Immigrant detainees in California are confined in prison-like conditions for up to 22 hours a day, while the counties and cities that contract with ICE exercise little or no oversight of local detention facilities, according to a pair of blistering state reports released Tuesday. The reports from state attorney general Xavier Becerra and state auditor Elaine Howle chronicle shoddy medical care and mental health treatment that imperils the health and safety of immigrant detainees. Migrants...

After two teachers’ strikes in as many months in California, it is too soon to tell whether the labor disputes in Oakland and Los Angeles presage a new era of school-based activism. But regardless of what comes next, this year’s strikes had much in common, and yielded valuable lessons and insights for other districts where labor troubles may also be brewing. Both strikes were relatively short, lasting about a week. The timeline was shaped by the troubled finances of both districts that...

JACKSON, Miss. — She remembers the frantic knocks at the door and the family friend who waited almost hysterical on the other side.
 “He was saying my brother [Kam] had been shot. I ran to my father and mother’s room and told them. They both immediately got up, jumped in the car and went to the hospital,” said Rukia Lumumba, the 40-year-old founder of the People’s Advocacy Institute , a community resource and training incubator for social, political and economic development in this capital...

In 2017, opioid overdose deaths in the United States reached a record high . And mayors and local leaders across the country have been scrambling to figure out what's driving this precipitous rise of opioid mortality in the last two decades . Several theories have been aired, from aggressive Big Pharma marketing to anxiety among Baby Boomers . Unfortunately, no one-size-fits-all answer exist—how and why this public-health problem manifests locally varies greatly across the U.S. That's...

As a follow-up to the " Are You OK? You Are Not Alone Anymore" Resource Poster , there have been important discussions in many local and statewide coalitions about "Windows of Opportunity" to build trust and provide a warm handoff to these critical services. However, as we know through research, individuals with untreated trauma may have difficulty trusting strangers, organizations or government agencies, even if they are wanting to help. Often times, these individuals are experiencing...

The Stoneleigh Foundation and Maternity Care Coalition are hosting a policy forum on April 4 titled, “A Rising Tide: Understanding Incarceration's Multigenerational Impact on Women, Girls, and Communities.” This day-long event will bring together policymakers, system stakeholders, industry leaders, advocates, and community members to explore how incarceration affects women, girls, and parenting families and to identify solutions promoting their health and well-being. REGISTRATION:...

Adults who experienced early trauma are prone to dysregulation of the brain and nervous system, especially in response to stress. Dysregulation, in turn, can trigger (or exacerbate) depression, anxiety, illness, addiction and emotional outbursts. So clearly, learning to re-regulate is the first step in healing the effects of Childhood PTSD. If you think you may be experiencing dysregulation, learn about common symptoms (as well as ten on-the-spot healing techniques) on this free download. If...

Monday, March 4, marks the beginning of Birth Psychology Month for the Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Pyschology and Health (APPPAH). This monthlong celebration features a panel of speakers around trauma informed practices for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. APPPAH received a grant for this project, so live lectures are free. Our first two speakers will be on Monday at 7 pm and 8:30 pm Eastern time. Jennie Birkholz, Principal of Breakwater Light, LLC, Trauma informed educator...

Huge crowds have gathered in the northern Italian city of Milan to protest against racism. Organisers said about 200,000 people turned out in the city in Lombardy, a region where the right-wing populist League party has strong support. Campaigners say the government promotes fear and hatred to spread division. ... Demonstrators marched under the slogan People First, with organisers issuing a mission statement saying diversity is a cultural treasure. "We want Italy and Europe to change their...