Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

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  • How independent map-drawing commissions are transforming redistricting

    Many states are trying independent redistricting commissions to take politics out of the process and draw fair maps. The California Citizens Redistricting Commission has a rigorous process to select its 14 members and holds all commission deliberations during public hearings with lots of time for public comment built into the process. The state’s new election maps were unanimously approved and about one third of the new districts are Latino-majority.

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  • Without the protections of the Voting Rights Act, many look to state solutions

    Virginia’s VRA protects voters from suppression, discrimination, and intimidation and has effectively stopped racial gerrymandering and intimidation. Its pro-voting measures include requiring materials in multiple languages, the provision of accessibility accommodations, and requiring public review of any local level voting changes. The legislation also creates a pathway for Virginians to bring civil lawsuits if a procedure negatively impacts economically disadvantaged communities or communities of color.

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  • Improving Literacy Rates with Free Summer Books

    Books for Keeps works to increase the literacy rate of students by providing them with books to read during the summer when they aren’t at school. Since 2009, Books for Keeps has given away almost 800,000 books. A study by the nonprofit found that students gained almost 17% of a grade level more over the summer than students who didn't participate in Books for Keeps.

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  • Nonprofit Teaches Water Safety to Youth

    SwemKids teaches children of color how to swim and increases access to water freedom while also helping them overcome fears and trauma they may have in regard to swimming.

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  • A mudslide killed his family — so this entrepreneur is using coconuts to help prevent future disasters

    Rugsal Trading turns coconut waste into fire fuel as an alternative to wood. Replacing wood and charcoal with this fuel can prevent deforestation and deadly mudslides.

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  • A busy intersection in Edmonton has been dominated by homophobic street preachers for years

    Fearing that consistent homophobic street harassment by a resource center for queer youth was detrimental to their mental health and safety, activists set up a weekly counter protest to drown out the harmful messages. The counter-protest grew from a single person to the Pride Corner on Whyte movement with several hundred social media followers. Over time, the participation of dozens of unhoused and housed queer and trans youth provided opportunities for social service outreach, including a mentorship program that paired youth with older queer and trans participants who offer friendship and emotional support.

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  • Community Refrigerators Combat Food Insecurity in Athens, GA

    Athens Community Fridge works to combat food insecurity by installing stocked community refrigerators available to the public anytime they need it. Community Fridges help combat the stigma surrounding food insecurity by allowing those in need to access food independently without going to traditional food banks.

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  • Could the highly political redistricting process be more independent? San Antonio may find out

    San Diego’s independent redistricting commission has aimed to take politics out of drawing district maps since 1992 by preventing City Council from drawing or approving its own map. Instead, nine commissioners from over 100 applicants were chosen based on background and qualifications by three randomly selected retired judges. The member selection process, rules for transparency, open public engagement and no tolerance for conflicts of interest are keys to its success. There is more equitable infrastructure investment and greater voter turnout now, which are two positive signs of reduced gerrymandering.

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  • Raise or retreat? Home elevation aims to protect historic houses

    As waters continue to rise and flood homes at sea levels, some homeowners are spending thousands of dollars to raise their homes off the ground. This solution that has been tried in Charleston is expensive, but some people think it can also work in Virginia. One industry expert started the Home Raising Academy, a workforce development program, to train architects, engineers, realtors, and government officials on floodplain management, insurance, and financing for home elevations in the area.

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  • Nigerian women fight skin bleaching, colorism in Africa 

    The Embrace Melanin Initiative works to eradicate colorism and harmful skin practices, like skin bleaching. Since forming in 2018, the organization estimates that it has impacted over 10,000 people globally through speaking events, online and offline advocacy programs, and other dermatological and psychological services.

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