It's the first of the month...

[View this email in your browser]( Michael’s Monday Motivation The first day of the month should create excitement about opportunities and possibilities. Too often, we approach that first day with some concern and anxiety due to bills and responsibilities. Let us approach April in a TRANSFORMATIVE way. Whether it's supporting the [Transformative Justice Coalition]( or [Green Bronx Machine]( maybe it's [The Collective]( or [KAIROS Democracy Project]( it is our time to manifest our moments to greater heights. So in the words of those Hip Hop Prophets named Bone Thugs in Harmony, GET UP, GET UP, IT'S THE FIRST OF THE MONTH April 1st is Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action. [Activity Resources and Ideas]( [RSVP]( Weekly KAIROS Conversation with Stephen Ritz and LaTosha Brown Stephen Ritz Founder, Green Bronx Machine Stephen Ritz is the Founder of Green Bronx Machine and self-proclaimed CEO – Chief Eternal Optimist – of Bronx County. With 20+ years of experience as an educator and administrator, Stephen believes that students shouldn’t have to leave their community to live, learn, and earn in a better one. Stephen has spent most of his professional life helping move generations of students into spheres of personal and academic successes they have never imagined. While reclaiming and rebuilding the Bronx, Stephen’s extended student and community family have grown more than 165,000 pounds of vegetables while generating extraordinary academic performance and living wage jobs. Believing that we are limited only by our own imaginations and that we are ALL Amer-I-Cans, Stephen is excited to lead Green Bronx Machine to achieve even more at the National Health, Wellness and Learning Center at CS 55. Stephen loves people, purpose and possibilities. He wakes up everyday excited to go to school, teach students, and build programs that will impact the lives of those he cares about for years to come. He wears a big hat, spiffy bow-tie and perpetually says, “Si se puede!” His favorite vegetables are bok choy and arugula. LaTosha Brown Co-Founder, Black Voters Matter At the intersection of social justice, political empowerment, human development and the cultural arts one will find LaTosha Brown. As a catalyst for change, thought leader and social strategist, her national and global efforts have been known to organize, inspire and catapult people into action—not just lip service—enabling them to build power and wealth for themselves and their community. Honored to receive the 2010 White House Champion of Change Award, the 2006 Spirit of Democracy Award and the Louis Burnham Award for Human Rights, it is more than evident that LaTosha is passionate about leading social change for the purpose of advancing humanity, creating a more equitable redistribution of wealth and power around the globe. Where other leaders see nothing but poverty, despair and destitution, this 2018 Bridge Jubilee Award and Liberty Bell Award recipient sees great opportunity. To her, there is more than enough resources on the planet to comfortably sustain every human being. Affectionately known by many as a “Black Renaissance” woman, her southern roots, coupled with her global thoughts toward people, ideas and money, have opened doors for her to maximize her voice in the U.S., as well as over 30 countries abroad. In addition to being recognized as a well-respected leader in the South who has led numerous initiatives, campaigns and special projects to empower marginalized communities, LaTosha is leading several international efforts to provide training, support and funding for women-led institutions based in Guyana, Senegal, Belize and Tanzania. Having raised millions of dollars for a variety of causes throughout the U.S., she is most known for her philanthropic efforts as an effective fundraiser and resource person. From creating community-led funds to establishing donor networks, LaTosha has raised millions of dollars to support social justice causes and created projects that bring more investments into marginalized communities. As the co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund and the BVM Capacity Building Institute, LaTosha is adamant about ensuring that all human beings have access to quality education, safety, security, peace, love and happiness. Striving daily to hear the voices of women in leadership amplified and supported, she is also working to eliminate human suffering through her vision of the Southern Black Girls & Women’s Consortium. Recognizing that her work is not rooted in strengthening political systems, governments or institutions—but in the advancement of people—LaTosha serves as an authoritative figure in the lives of thousands, if not millions. More than ever, she’s crystal clear that she is called to remind people of the power they hold within, pushing them through the birthing process of vision to manifestation. Transforming culture through her singing and songwriting, this innovative storyteller is shifting the narrative of African-Americans through media, campaigns and nonprofit projects. Featured on CNN, HBO, MSNBC and Fox, to name a few, Latosha also proudly serves as the founder of Saving OurSelves Coalition, a community-led disaster relief organization that helped hundreds of families in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Currently, she serves on the board of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, the Southern Documentary Fund, the U.S. Human Rights Network and the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center. After having worked with her, clients, colleagues and friends alike gain more clarity about their vision and life’s work, connection to quality resources, and a deeper sense of their own humanity after having encountered the incomparable LaTosha Brown. See you Wednesday! Wednesday, April 3 · 1:00pm – 2:00pm EST Video call link: [( Or dial: ‪(US) +1 651-571-1259‬ PIN: ‪460 226 103‬# More phone numbers: [ [Register Here]( Summer Internship Opportunities - Application deadline: Friday, April 5, 2024 - Congressional and Pathways to the C-Suite internship programs - Gain hands-on experience in the public policy field - Network with industry professionals and mentors - Develop crucial skills for your future career endeavors - Bi-weekly stipend and FREE Washington, D.C. housing Save the Date! Our new scholarship for HBCU students opens on April 1, 2024. [Learn more]( about the Bob Marley: One Love Social Impact Scholarship application criteria and submit your application by the April 30, 2024, deadline. [Internship Info]( Please join us at Collective Future's 4th Annual Black Leadership Summit in Los Angeles, California, April 19th-20th, 2024. If you are interested in working collectively to educate, engage and mobilize Black voters to build power for our communities this critical election year and beyond, this is the gathering of leaders designed for you...and [registration]( only $300](  Visit our [summit website]( or see the attachment for additional information. Sponsorship opportunities are also still available. Let me know if you have any questions and we hope to see you in LA! [Register Now]( New York Reception in support of Josh Stein Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 | 6:00PM Our opportunity to support North Carolina turning blue - directly from Josh on April 24. If you are able to do so, please join us! [RSVP]( Our Time. Our Moment. Our Democracy. KAIROS: DEMOCRACY PROJECT exists to promote social welfare and civic betterment by mobilizing and engaging Communities of Color and Young Adults through Issue Advocacy and awareness on the impact of safeguarding our Democracy on their everyday lives. From deploying local Influencers and surrogates of Color from the KAIROS Communications war room to hosting KAIROS CONVERSATION Listen & Learns to executing a targeted media and message mobilization, the KAIROS: DEMOCRACY PROJECT will be the go to place for engaging Leaders of Color around Issues and Democracy in the country, not just for one election but for future generations. Join the fight for Democracy by helping us mobilize and engage Communities of Color and Young Adults through Issue Advocacy and awareness on the impact of safeguarding our Democracy on our everyday lives. [$50 ⮕]( [$500 ⮕]( [$100 ⮕]( [$1000 ⮕]( [$250 ⮕]( [Other ⮕]( Your Input Needed for Upcoming Advocacy Efforts. This contribution will be pivotal in enhancing grassroots community-based development organizations' capacity to build affordable housing and generate economic wealth in underserved communities. The People & Place Collaborative, established in 2013, is led by [NACEDA]( [NALCAB]( and [National CAPACD]( and the Collaborative is asking community-based development organizations to play a role in our upcoming advocacy efforts. Our efforts support grassroots advocacy and community development on a national level.  The Collaborative is preparing for a strategic Hill Day in May 2024, issuing a sign-on letter to protect the CRA New Rule, and organizing a prominent Summit for community-based development organizations in Washington, D.C., in 2025. We are mobilizing support and gathering insights in four key policy areas: - Affordable Housing - Small Business Entrepreneurship - Community Development - Equitable Access and Representation on advisory, regulatory, and governance committees Your organization's experiences are invaluable for these events. To facilitate the collection of your information, I've prepared a Google Form for you to tell us how our policy agenda aligns or may with your organization's work. [Please take a moment to fill out this Google Form]( *Reference these document links to the [Policy Agenda]( the [Congressional Committee Excel Sheet]( to guide your responses. [For Your Information and Immediate Action: Protecting the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)]( A pressing component of our advocacy is protecting the newly updated Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) New Rule, which now faces opposition from [banking associations](. The New Rule is crucial for promoting fair lending practices and economic justice in communities. We will be issuing a sign-on letter urging banks to drop their lawsuit against the CRA Regulators, an effort vital for community development nationwide. Please indicate in the form if you'd like to join the sign-on letter or learn more about the issue. If you have any questions, please email Dawne Troupe at dtroupe@naceda.org. Thank you for considering this request. Your participation is greatly appreciated! Save the Dates April 3-April 7 The Transformative Justice Coalition Presents: Gen Z & Millennial Votes Matter Training Phoenix, AZ HBCU All-Star 2024 Paid Leadership Opportunity All Expenses Paid $500 Fellowship Stipend Ages 18-35 [Read More]( April 14-15 NewDeal Forum Ideas Summit Phoenix Arizona[Read more]( April 19-20The Collective PAC[Black Leadership Summit]( April 26 KAIROS@African American Mayors Association Atlanta, GA[Register here]( April 25-May 5 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival New Orleans, LA[Read more]( Date TBD (Likely late April or May)[Du Bois Freedom Center]( Event With Special Guest TBA KAIROS "a time when conditions are right for the accomplishment of a crucial action : the opportune and decisive MOMENT" "The right or critical MOMENT" [Facebook icon]( [Instagram icon]( [Website icon]( [YouTube icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( Copyright (C) 2024 Atlas Strategy Group. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. 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