Here are some additional resources for those who wish to support the protests happening across the nation:
A comprehensive list of your rights as a protester from the ACLU
Urban League of Portland, a civil rights and social service organization
Portland General Defense Committee, providing bail relief and legal aid to protesters
NAACP Portland, Portland chapter of civil rights organization
Black Lives Matter
Campaign Zero, research-based solutions to end police brutality
Self-Enhancement Inc
Portland African American Leadership Forum
We encourage you to seek out circus or fitness instruction from Black instructors. Here are some suggestions:
Online backbend course with Alicia Archer (@kinkysweat on Instagram)
Pilates and aerial sling classes with Fly Fit Lenise (@flyfitlenise on Instagram)
Train Like a Gymnast (A variety of gymnastics-related fitness programs @trainlikeagymnast and @daniellegrayfit)
Strength-training programs with Beast Tribe, Alseny and Sekou (@seny_acro, @sekou_acrofit, @beast.tribe)
Flexibility, dance and pole online classes with PK Studio, (@pheonixkazree)
Dance fitness with Keaira Lashae (Live workouts on her Instagram, M,W,F, and Sun at 4pm PST @keairalashae)
Yoga with Valeria Anne Verdier (find yoga workouts on her IGTV @valerie.a.verdier)
Rollerskating, fitness, and hoop with Tinuke and Obie of Playtone (@tinukes_orbit)
Aerial hoop classes with Gena Marie (@gena_marie_aerial)
Online strength training with Parcell Dugger at GOODWRK (@good.wrk on Instagram)
Professional dance classes with the Alvin Ailey Company
Unique dance + shadowboxing classes with Deja Riley
Resources for Examining Racism in Circus
Panel Discussion: Wake Up Call for Inclusion - Institutional Barriers and Individual Biases in the Performing Arts
Article and Video: Circus From Within - Marco Motta talks about his experience with racism, and his choice to use the song "Strange Fruit" for his award-winning straps act.
Video: Running Away to Join the Circus and Finding Out Its Racist, and its follow-up video: I Called Out Racism in Circus and Here's What Happened
Website: The Uncle Jr Project: A digital exhibit celebrating the history of Black people in the American circus
Docuseries: The Circus, 4-hour docu-series on the history of the American circus, by PBS' American Experience.
What is the Circus Project doing to advance racial equity within our organization?
Fall 2020: Anti-racism development for all staff.
All staff provided with four hours of paid training for personal anti-racism growth.
Fall 2019: Established Committee-based Scholarship Decision Structure
Why: Scholarships were previously given to people who knew to ask. Committee and process were established so that resources can be distributed more equitably as demand starts to outpace funds.
Summer 2019: Formed a DEI Committee. Committee held kickoff retreat facilitated by Leila Hall. Committee meets every other month to set DEI project priorities and recruit work groups
Why: We had identified a long list of needed changes. Committee formed so that different perspectives within the organization would set priorities for how we go about tackling this list.
Summer 2018: Established Learning Community Agreements.
Why: So that all staff and students have explicit common values to ground our culture and relationships, promoting equity and inclusion in community.
Summer 2018: Three required, trainings for all staff on DEI Fundamental Concepts led by Jay D Rae and Leila Hale
Why: Not all staff shared a common vocabulary around microagressions, intersectionality, racism, and other fundamental concepts. Trainings designed to get everyone on the same starting page.
Oct 2017 - July 2018: Art Workers for Equity Racial Equity Peer Learning Circle. Completed Coalition of Communities of Color Racial Equity Assessment View . Our Assessment Results
Why: To take stock of where the organization is in terms of racial equity and uncover needed actions, and to gain peer support from other arts organizations.