In these uncertain times with so much need, I struggle with creating this campaign, but after hearing from several people who have been impacted by my work. I am taking a chance that perhaps there are enough folks out there, who have been inspired by my work to make it possible for me to take a much needed respite. 

For folks who don’t know me, I am Shay, and I am the executive director of Community Change Inc. A small Boston based non-profit anti racism organization that serves the Greater Boston area and Northern New England. I am also the creator of Black Girl in Maine, a 15 year old anti racism blog and website. My writing has also been featured in a number of publications and anthologies. I even did one of those fancy TedX talks, some years ago. 

After almost two decades of anti racism work, including the last decade as the executive director of an anti racism organization, I am burnt out. I am a Black woman in America, doing anti racism work and rarely do I get a break. Things came to a head several weeks ago, when a prolonged bout of insomnia turned into stress induced hives and required medical attention. It was at that point, that I could no longer dance around the fact that stress is affecting me and the fact that I have had no significant time off since 2019 is playing a huge role in this. 

These are not great times for organizations that do anti racism work, and my organization is no exception. For the last two years, we have dealt with internal struggles and a deficit budget. While there is no magic fix for our budgetary woes, I have a new board of directors coming aboard in January, and we are unified in our desire to stabilize the organization. This is good news but I am still exhausted and need a respite. 

Co-lab Collective is offering a retreat January 22-26 for BIPOC leaders and honestly, this is what I need. To be a space with other BIPOC nonprofit leaders who understand the struggles unique to being a Black woman in leadership working for social change. Below is a bit of what is being offered, but it isn't cheap, and with my organization facing its own challenges, we cannot afford to cover this.  I am asking for your support to make this retreat possible. The cost is $5750 plus airfare . Which with incidentals and the meals that are not included, brings the cost to $7000.  

Assuming that I can raise the funds to make it possible to attend this retreat. Upon my return, I will be taking a month off from my position and spending time in Tennessee with my children and grandchildren, so that I can rest and return to work in late February, refreshed, inspired and ready to stabilize Community Change Inc, which if you don’t know, is one of the oldest anti racism organizations in the country. No pressure on me. ;-) 

Below are details about the retreat, and I would love your support. They say Black don’t crack, but that’s not true, Black women do crack. It just happens incrementally and we are so skilled at masking, people don’t notice it. I am definitely close to cracking and I need some help to rest, heal, and recalibrate. 

I am asking for your support to make that possible. While my site, Black Girl in Maine does run on reader support, this is a personal ask. I am asking if my work and words have ever meant anything to you, help me to not hit the wall. Any amount that you can give is appreciated, and please share this campaign with others. 

POP for Radical Sabbatical: The Details 

Purpose

For women, femmes and non-binary leaders of color (BIPOC) to have access to an abundant space for rest, care and experience possibility together.

Radical sabbatical anticipates leaders coming in with different needs for sabbatical. One of these themes may speak strongly to you, and likely more than one. Are you:

• Feeling depleted, overwhelmed and needing a change in pace?
• Wishing for a nourishing space to play, rest and reflect after many seasons of caring for others?
• Tending a passion project and struggling to find space to develop that idea in the day-to-day?
• Ready for a big change, but unsure what that is or how to make it happen?

Outcomes

Depending on your particular Radical Sabbatical needs, you can choose to focus on any of these outcomes. Imagine feeling:

• Reconnected with rest, body, energy, emotional aliveness, spirit; and with boundaries and pacing reset
• Regenerated abundant space to heal and play with the support of nature, culture (art, music) and community
• Nourishing imagination for new, joyful possibilities and radically do-able ideas for manifesting what’s next