TJC Newsletter- February 2024
Hey, We've Missed You!
We have set new goals in 2024, which includes making sure you are up to on R(EDI) trends, insights from the field, and so much more – be sure to watch for all those juicy updates. But in the meantime, we wanted to take a beat to honor all the good work we managed to do in 2023.
Last year was another year of historical events unfolding before us; from economic uncertainty to civil and human rights violations, the fractures of our systems deepened. All the while working hard to stay grounded in our truth and values. Whew, that is no small task!
While it has felt overwhelming at times, we have been fortified by the knowledge that our team and our client partners have doubled down on their commitment to equity in their teams, their organizations, and their work. We’ve all continued to show up day in and day out to have really hard, clunky, and sometimes charged conversations about finding the best way through this with our humanity and sanity intact. This has included holding space for each other, grieving collectively, and finding ways to play our way through. It is this approach to equity work that has us finding ourselves in much bigger arenas, working with some highly innovative people who are ready to roll up their sleeves and dig into this work to make bigger shifts for their people and their organizations. In honor of such a big year, we wanted to share some of our major highlights below!
2023 Highlight Reel
Equity and Energy!
Senior Consultant, Mel Savvedra, and Research Director, Crystal Sanders-Alvarado, led a training with the San Jose Clean Energy team where they explored how this team could center equity in their day-to-day and future initiatives! Read more about SCJE's experience here!
Let's Talk Health Equity!
Senior Consultants, Jenna Ortiz and Marjorie Stamper-Kurn, along with Associate Consultant, Daniela Porcelli, and Advisor, Ellie Tumbuan, were invited to present at the Fall Convening of long-time client-partner Advancing Health Equity. Check out more here!
Training up California!
This year, we landed one of our most significant projects to date when we were brought onto the California Department of Social Services REIB Statewide initiative. As partners in this initiative, not only have we had the opportunity to develop trainings that supports both the internal staff and CalWorks and CalFresh participant's overall experience, but we’ve also been able to lead workshops at both the CalWorks and CalFresh conferences for leadership this year! Learn more about the REIB Initiative here.
Moving Beyond Performative at NCAN
Our former client, Students Rising Above, invited Lena to speak at the National College Attainment Network. On this panel, she, along with Angela Bugayong and Elizabeth Devaney, spoke about moving beyond vanity metrics when it comes to our student success initiatives.
TJC Retreat 2023
Finally, admist all the work, we took the necessary time out to play. Our retreat was full of singing, dancing, improv, scavenger hunts, good food, and conversations about the work ahead and how we want to show up for it!
Last year was such a meaningful year in so many ways. We learned a lot, grew some more, and have been privileged to work with incredibly talented and driven people. We look forward to continue supporting organizations in finding all the ways, both big and small, that they can drive their vision for equity forward. Look out, 2024, here we come!
If you're interested in working with us please reach out! And make sure you're following us on LinkedIn to keep up with all the exciting things we're doing!
