Individual actions make a big impact – September 2020 Newsletter

Friends –

It’s cooling down in Chicago, and though it doesn’t feel like it in the Lowcountry, we have entered meteorological fall. While the COVID pandemic continues to impact our communities, we are now in hurricane season in the Southeast and smoky haze from the wildfires devastating the West is now covering most of the United States and southern Canada.

As we reflect on how individual actions can have big impacts, we have listed at the end of this newsletter a number of racial equity and civic activities in which you can participate.

But first, some program announcements.

Stay tuned for a big collections announcement on September 30th!

Dismantle Preservation
We attended this conference in July and wanted to share the presentations for those who missed it.

Funding opportunity for Illinois arts organizations
A second round of over $220 million in the Business Interruption Grants (BIG) program has just been announced. Arts Alliance Illinois is hosting an informational webinar Tuesday at 4pm.

For Which It Stands
Next in the Gibbes Museum of Art’s virtual townhall series “For Which it Stands,” is The Real Rainbow Row: LGBTQ+ History in partnership with the College of Charleston’s archive. Check it out on October 17th.

Virtual film series
Green Community Connections has a number of upcoming virtual events and film screenings related to conservation, climate change, and other environmental impacts.

Racial Equity 

As we reflect on how individual actions can have big impacts, we have been furthering our antiracist journey through attending and sponsoring virtual workshops through Crossroads Antiracism. Their fall schedule still has some openings.

Also, it’s Racial Equity Week in Cook County. Check out their website for a variety of virtual events, from film screenings to racial healing circles.

2020 Census

Completing your Census survey is an important individual action as accurate Census data ensures communities receive the resources they need over the next decade. Check out this video for more info and then share info for your household here.

Election Day

Finally, we’re less than 50 days away from Election Day. Voting in your local and Federal elections is a hard-fought right.

• Check here to make sure you are registered to vote.
• If you’re concerned about in-person voting during a pandemic, apply for your mail-in ballot here.
• Check what’s on your local ballot information here.

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