I am so excited to introduce The Arts & Justice Collective. The Arts & Justice Collective is made up of four mission-driven organizations that focus on art, culture, equity and community on Cape Cod. Pulling from each organizations’ own strengths and missions, Belonging Books, Amplify POC Cape Cod, Cape Cod Voices, and The Cordial Eye will establish an art, culture and social justice hub in downtown Hyannis that centers our historically excluded communities. Recently, The Arts & Justice Collective received a $90,000 grant, awarded by MassDevelopment’s TDI Creative Catalyst program to fund three projects that are vital to creating this hub: The planning process to establish physical, year-round collaborative community space,
A summertime multi-day “Arts and Justice Festival,” and A series of art and justice events, or “House Parties,” featuring local musicians, visual artists, dancers, writers and speakers.
These projects will foster community, increase access and visibility for local artists, and aid in economic development for downtown Hyannis.
I am grateful to work with these inspiring women. I look forward to collaborating, supporting one another, and sharing resources to help meaningfully advance our missions while providing a more holistic and intersectional experience for our community! |
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Ladies of the Cape are hosting their annual Art & Music Festival. The Festival will feature local female artists and vendors, live music, and an open mic. I will be freshly returning from The Women's March in D.C. so this women-centric festival feels appropriate! Sunday, October 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elks Club, Eastham. |
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The Arts & Justice Collective will hold its first House Party in connection with The Cordial Eye's artist exhibition: You Are [Not] Too Much! More details to follow. Thursday, October 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Guyer Barn, Hyannis. |
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Communi-T Productions and Belonging Books are hosting another Open Mic Night. This one includes a Halloween costume contest! Join us on Thursday, Oct. 27 at The Karibbean Lounge for food and drinks starting at 6 p.m. and enjoy the entertainment from local artists, poets and storytellers starting around 7 p.m. Email info@belongingbookscapecod.com to reserve a performance spot. |
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Check out The Privilege Institute's "White Privilege Symposium: Cape Cod." Click here to learn more and to register. Friday and Saturday, October 28-29 at Barnstable High School, Hyannis. |
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Belonging Books' Book Social Belonging Books is hosting a Book Social for anyone who identifies as a woman of color on October 23 at 3:30 p.m. We will discuss Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley. If you are interested in joining this or future book socials, please contact me. | | |
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Belonging Books' Writing Circles Are you working on a writing project, looking for dedicated time and space to write, or wanting to explore writing? Belonging Books is offering a recurring and informal space for people who identify as BIPOC to write together and share (if you want) in a safe and welcoming environment. Details to follow. |
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On September 25, Belonging Books took part in its first Love Local Fest. Love Live Local held space for 80 vendors, live music, kids' activities, giveaways and more. Thank you to everyone who came out to support local small businesses on the Cape...The wind did not win! The next Love Local Fest is on December 3 at the Hyannis Village Green. |
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From September 18 to 24, Belonging Books joined 6 other local bookstores to hide banned books around the Cape & Islands. Big thanks to The Brewster Book Store for getting this initiative rolling! Learn more about the concept of banned books and find resources to support the right to celebrate the right to read everyday. |
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Falmouth Cape Verdean Festival |
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September 17 did not go as planned. I thought I'd be at one market but ended up at the 8th Annual Cape Verdean Festival in Falmouth. And I had a blast. Thank you for your hospitality and for including Belonging Books last minute at your festival! |
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Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School Open House |
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Thank you to Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School for inviting me to their Open House on September 15. I loved seeing all the action that takes place in high school. Feels like only yesterday... |
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Every day, we center and celebrate the voices and stories of people of color and other underrepresented people. September 15 to October 15 is Latinx Heritage Month. Check out some of these titles celebrating Latin-American stories and authors: |
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Children's: Julián is a Mermaid and Julián at the Wedding by Jessica Love Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin by Duncan Tonatiuh |
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Middle Reader: Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford Lion Island: Cuba's Warrior of Words by Margarita Engle Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina |
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Young Adult: With The Fire on High, The Poet X and Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz |
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Adult Non-Fiction and Fiction: My Broken Language: A Memoir by Quiara Alegría Hudes One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova |
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Special Orders: Please contact Belonging Books directly for any special orders. We would love to help you get books for your school, book club, classroom library, event or yourself! |
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As a community program provider and as a bookseller, Belonging Books centers the voices and stories of people of color and other underrepresented communities on the Cape, creating space for joy, celebration, safety and belonging. |
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