Celebrating Black History by Investing in Black Futures.
You Deserve to Rest
A $1,500 CAD micro-grant for Black Community Activators.
The first of many New Room mutual aid micro-grants, intended to serve members of Black Communities in need of funds, rest or simply celebration for their work towards collective liberation.
Please nominate a Black Change Maker, Community Activator or Creative in the form below that you would like to see celebrated for their work. (This could be you or someone you know!)
By nominating this person, you will automatically be entered into a draw for one of three copies of The Selected Works of Audre Lorde.
The Micro-Grant and book recipients will be randomly selected at the end of the month of February and announced through Instagram @ThisisNewRoom.
Nominations are now closed.
Update and call for support.
We’ve started a GoFundMe in an effort to fund 10 more micro-grants.
The response we’ve received in just one week from this initiative has surpassed all of our expectations. On one hand, we're so touched by the influx of beautiful nominations pouring in from across the continent. On the other, we can't believe the number of people in need of rest or relief right now, and cannot possibly choose just one person to support. From Queer Community Healers, to Death Doulas, to Dance & Street Activists, to folks navigating difficult periods of transition and loss - we're at nearly 1000 nominations and want to be able to redistribute funds to as many of those as we possibly can.
All this to say: This initiative has suddenly become way bigger than us, and we need your help. We need the help of allies, leaders, friends, and partners who have the financial capacity to make a real impact this Black History Month. The funds raised in this campaign will help us reach our goal of offering another 10, deeply deserving people some relief.
Every dollar donated will be redistributed. Check out the GoFundMe here.
About New Room.
Co-Founded by Daniele-Jocelyne Otou and Erin Willett, New Room was born out of a creative realization and conscious acknowledgment that a better way is possible. A better way to learn; a better way to work; a better way to do business; but more importantly - a better way to connect to one another.
Combining Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism & Social Justice (IDEAS) practices with Innovation and Strategy frameworks, New Room designs programs and experiences that allow individuals and teams to transform in ways that allow them to not only better adapt to the issues we are collectively faced with today, but creatively collaborate towards finding mission-driven solutions. We’re committed to upholding and exploring the following values through our work:
Collectivity
We believe in the collective power of individual action; the individual’s power to play a role in collective change. We know that progress is only possible when we learn from one another in community, collaboration, and connection.
Power
From decentralizing power to empowering and supporting historically marginalized people, New Room opens the door to real social change and equity through anti-oppressive values and education.
Awareness
Those who will find a home in New Room have the desire, humility, open-ness and discernment to learn more about themselves and others to contribute to individual and collective healing.
