"What do you see when you look in the mirror, Mei? Do you see beauty? We see eyes that point toward the sun, that give us the warmth and joy of a thousand rays when you smile. We see hair as inky black and smooth as a peaceful night sky. We see skin brushed with gold." |
|
|
Where I come from, mountains shoot up to grey skies straight from the dark, blue inlet of the Pacific Ocean. Many people look like me, and if I want to eat soupy dumplings that taste like they were home-cooked in Shanghai, I can drive a few minutes and do that. But even still... When I read "I Am Golden," it hits me right in the chest. Deep in the chest. Who would I have been, how would I have moved through this world, if I had a message like that when I was growing up? Happy Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Go eat some soupy dumplings. |
|
|
Please welcome Josie, Belonging Books' new intern!! I am so incredibly excited to have her on the team and look forward to working with her. Here's a little bit about Josie: |
|
|
Hello! I am currently a junior at Nauset Regional High School, where I am involved in the Human Rights Academy, Competitive Robotics Club, and Girls Golf. Outside of school I love spending time with my little dog, skiing in the winter and listening to the newest K-pop! I am so excited to be a part of Belonging Books as it perfectly blends my passions for reading and social justice! |
|
|
Friday, May 26, 2023 Creative Futures Cape Cod Showcase |
|
|
The inaugural Creative Futures Cape Cod Show Case will be held on May 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Cordial Eye's new space - 255 Main Street, Hyannis. I have had the honor to spend a little time with these talented and kind artists through my facilitated book discussions. I look forward to celebrating their work on May 26 and in the future -- these fellows are something special. |
|
|
Saturday, May 27, 2023 A-Way with Words |
|
|
The third annual A-Way with Words poetry event will be held on May 27, 2023 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Hyannis Village Green. This event is organized by The Cordial Eye, Amplify POC Cape Cod, and Polyphonic Studios with the support of The Arts and Justice Collective. Tamora Israel will host this event that will honor the life of George Floyd and other black Americans whose lives have been lost to police brutality. Come in solidarity. Support our local artists, musicians and Amplify POC vendors. |
|
|
June 8, 2023 Open Mic Night with Communi-T Productions |
|
|
Have you missed us? Belonging Books and Communi-T Productions are once again celebrating BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ voices, stories and talent at our Open Mic Night. Join us at Blue Moon at 430 Main Street, Hyannis, on Thursday, June 8. Performances will start around 6 p.m. so come earlier to grab some food and drinks! We will also be celebrating the one year anniversary of our first Open Mic Night collaboration. One year!
If you or someone you know would like to reserve a performance spot, please email me at info@belongingbookscapecod.com. |
|
|
June 11, 2023 Mashpee's 3rd Annual Race Amity Day Celebration |
|
|
The Mashpee Inclusion and Diversity Committee is hosting a national event celebrating diversity and "belongingness" as one unified community. Come join us on June 11 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 13 Great Neck Rd N, Mashpee. Uplifting speakers, fun games for kids, live entertainment and good food! What is Race Amity Day? |
|
|
June 17-18: Arts Alive Falmouth June 19: The Arts & Justice Collective: Juneteenth Celebration July 7-9: The Arts & Justice Festival July 9: Amplify POC Summer Vendor Festival July 16: Independence House Festival |
|
|
The Arts & Justice Collective: The Food that Connects Us |
|
|
The Food That Connects Us, The Arts & Justice Collective's fifth House Party, was a beautiful event. We gathered on April 30 to eat food together, listen to stories and just be in each others' company. Tamora Israel described her feelings about it on Coffee with T's the following Tuesday, "A place like that - a place where community is built with the absolute idea of building something greater than yourself, has made me feel stronger, feel accepted, feel loved, and that is something that I'm starting to learn that I need. I need and I want community. And we're starting to build our own." |
|
|
Thank you to The Family Table Collaborative for the space, to Fernando Biwer of Yapa Provisions, Tomas Tolentino of Book and Cook, Corey Hendricks of Duck Island Shellfish Company, Ralph Younger of Simply Black and White Catering and My Daddy Wears and Apron, for sharing your stories, to Z. Eatz, Blue Moon Restaurant, Aundria's Kitchen, Andrea's Kitchen, Barnstable Sunrise Rotary for all the yummy food, and to all our volunteers and community members for coming out to support. |
|
|
Thank you to MassDevelopment, Chatham Cultural Council, Dennis, Cultural Council, and Truro Cultural Council for supporting this event. |
|
|
Making Anti-Racist Change Happen (M.A.R.C.H.) Anti-Racism Conference |
|
|
Belonging Books took part in the M.A.R.C.H. Anti-Racism Conference on May 6. I led a workshop with Sturgis West Senior, Jinpei Holmes, on Centering BIPOC Voices and Stories in the Classroom, and I facilitated a roundtable discussion on why BIPOC-centered space is so important. Dr. Jamila Lyiscott's keynote was spot on and brought tears to many people's eyes. Thank you to Sturgis West's M.A.R.C.H. Club, Brett Morales and Jinpei for thinking of me and including me in this special event. |
|
|
I got to hang with some really special people on Coffee with T's on May 2. Check out Coffee with T's every Tuesday morning if you want to start your day with joyfulness, laughter and reflection. |
|
|
Cape & Islands Book Store Trail Check out the Cape & Islands Book Store Trail! Visit at least 15 bookstores and enter to win one of three $50 gift cards OR a $150 gift card to the participating bookstore of your choice. Click on logo for details! |
|
|
Writing Circle Our next Writing Circle is Tuesday, May 16 at 5 p.m. at the Hyannis Public Library. Come write in community! Belonging Books is holding space for this low-key, drop-in BIPOC-centered writing circle every third Tuesday of the month. Mark your calendars: June 20. Future dates TBD.
|
|
|
Book Social On Sunday, June 4 at 3:30 p.m. We will discuss Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang, illustrated by Gurihiru. Belonging Books' Book Social is designed for people who identify as WOCs or non-binary persons of color. Learn more at my website, and if you are interested in joining this or future book socials, please contact me. | | |
|
|
Cape Cod Voices: RISE Program The Cape Cod Voices Racial Identity Support and Exploration (RISE) Group is a meeting space designed specifically for students of color on Cape Cod and their families. The next RISE meeting will be on May 21 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at BFree Wellness. Make note that it is Hyannis Open Street Day so come early! |
|
|
Access to Justice Series Amplify POC and Barnstable County Bar Association have partnered up to give a free and informative series educating the public on understanding their rights, providing legal resources and answering questions! Employment Law TODAY and Housing on May 18. 5 p.m. start. 22 Mid Tech Dr., West Yarmouth and on Zoom. Click on image to register. |
|
|
Cape Cod Regional Housing Survey The survey asks a series of questions about the design of housing, various housing types, appropriate locations for new housing development and redevelopment, and other housing development considerations. The survey will take most respondents 10 to 15 minutes to complete and is available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. www.capecodcommission.org/housingsurvey |
|
|
Financial Wellness Workshops Check out these free financial wellness and homeownership workshops geared towards our year-round families and first time homebuyers organized by Community Development Partnership. Click on image to register. |
|
|
Every day, we center and celebrate the voices and stories of people of color and other underrepresented people. It is Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month! Check out our online store here: |
|
|
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! |
|
|
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, holding space for joy, celebration, safety and belonging. |
|
|
|
|