Community Learning Series
Join the Community Learning Series
Join our Community Learning Series to engage in meaningful conversations, connect with like-minded individuals, and work together toward environmental justice.
Throughout the year we host two-month long learning sessions based on a specific theme and book. Register now for our Winter Session starting on February 11th!
Registration is free and all are welcome!
Winter Session: Joy as Freedom
“Black joy parallels freedom.”
— Nateya Taylor
When we talk about Black history, we often focus on struggle. While those stories matter, they are not the whole story.
Black history is also a history of joy, creativity, resilience, and brilliance. At a time when Black history, critical thinking, and truthful storytelling are increasingly challenged and restricted, creating intentional spaces for learning and reflection is more important than ever. In honor of Black History Month, this winter’s Community Learning Series centers Black joy as a radical practice of celebration, survival, and liberation.
Through a collective reading of The Black Joy Project by Kleaver Cruz, we’ll explore how joy resists anti-Blackness, how storytelling affirms the fullness of Black life, and how creativity and community sustain us in uncertain times. Together, we’ll uplift Black voices, celebrate excellence, and engage in practices that support Black flourishing — now and into the future.
The Community Learning Series hosts two-month long learning sessions throughout the year, each focused on a specific theme. Stay tuned for more information on our upcoming themes and sessions.
Winter Schedule
Nateya Taylor will facilitate discussions around The Black Joy Project by Kleaver Cruz.
We’ll discuss the readings and how we can apply what we’re learning through action. We’ll meet online on the following dates:
Feb 11, 6-7:30pm
Orientation
Feb 25, 6-7:30pm
Discussion 1
Mar 11, 6-7:30pm
Discussion 2
Mar 25, 6-7:30pm
Discussion 3
About The Book
This session, we’re reading The Black Joy Project by Kleaver Cruz, a collection of stories and reflections that center Black joy as a vital force for survival, creativity, and freedom. The book was chosen to challenge narratives that reduce Black life to struggle alone and to uplift the fullness, complexity, and beauty of Black experiences.
Through art, storytelling, and lived wisdom, The Black Joy Project invites us to explore how joy resists anti-Blackness, strengthens community, and helps us imagine and build more liberated futures — especially in uncertain times.
Meet the Facilitator
Nateya Taylor
Facilitator
Nateya Taylor is a multimedia storyteller based in Milwaukee, WI. As a strong advocate for health equity and Black liberation, she intersects written and visual storytelling to interrogate the anti-blackness that is endemic in our social structures and the internalized anti-blackness that accompanies it. Instead, she reveals the multifacetedness of Blackness through her work.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science degree in Urban Studies with a certificate in Digital Cultures. Her research focuses on residential segregation, Black geographies, and Black resistance. She incorporates her academic expertise into her storytelling practice to tell informative and educational stories.
Nateya is also the founder of Naesthetycs, a multimedia production company that aims to use authentic storytelling and aesthetics as a catalyst that inspires empathy, ignites activism, and leads to more equitable futures for Black folks and other historically marginalized groups.
Sponsors & Partners
We’re grateful for the organizations and individuals who are supporting our Winter Community Learning Series: Joy as Freedom.
Participation Guidelines
To ensure everyone gets the most out of this experience, we ask all participants to follow these guidelines.
Keep a Safe Space
It’s important that everyone feels safe in the space we’re creating. Be mindful of how your comments impact others. Harmful and disrespectful comments or actions will be addressed.
Maintain Confidentiality
This is a personal experience for you and everyone participating. You agree to keep all conversations confidential, and respect your fellow community members and their thoughts regardless of where they are at in this work.
Have an Open Mind
We encourage you to keep an open mind and step out of your comfort zone when participating in the discussions. The more you do so, the more you’ll get out of this experience.
Attend Each Discussion
Group learning allows for richer discussions and deeper understanding of complex topics. Make it a priority to attend each discussion so you and others receive this benefit.
Take Regular Action
It is not enough to learn about racism, systems of oppression, and environmental injustices. We must take action against them. We encourage you to commit to taking at least one action every two weeks.
Move at Your Own Pace
This isn’t a race to finish the books. It is perfectly fine to move faster or slower through the books than others. Keep attending the discussions and contribute from wherever you are.
Register Today!
Join our Community Learning Series to engage in meaningful conversations, connect with like-minded individuals, and work together toward lasting change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Community Learning Series?
The Community Learning Series is a series of two-month long learning sessions. During each session we read a selected book together to explore systems of oppression and take collective action.
Through facilitated group discussions, we’ll create a shared understanding of the concepts in the book, connect the material to current issues, apply what we’ve learned to create impact, and deepen our engagement with local action and initiatives. Learn more here.
Where can I get the book?
If you can, we encourage you to buy the book from a local bookstore to support the author and small businesses.
You can also visit your local library to borrow the book. Please let us know if you’re having difficulty getting a copy of the book. We’ll do what we can to help!
Do I need to read anything before the orientation?
Nope! You’re welcome to get started, but we won’t be discussing the readings during the orientation. We’ll spend time introducing ourselves, the Community Learning Series, and getting to know one another.
What am I committing to when I sign up?
When you join in, you are committing to attending the orientation, the three facilitated discussions, and taking one action from each of the Collective Action Alerts.
The orientation and discussions are bi-weekly. The orientation and discussions are from 6-7:30pm. We understand if you cannot attend the whole time, but please make it a priority to attend as much of the discussion that you can – meaningful and consistent participation from all members is necessary to ensure greater discussion of the topics we are focusing on.
What are Collective Action Alerts?
Collective Action Alerts are bi-weekly emails that include three suggested actions we can take in our community. Actions range from signing petitions, attending events, spreading awareness, etc.
Through Collective Action Alerts we act in unison, work towards environmental justice, and target our collective power to support the needs of the community.
Who can join?
The conversations are adult-focused, but all are welcome to participate.
Still have questions?
Reach out to us with any questions.