This blog is likely coming to you while you’re gathered around the TV, with the people you love, as you watch America’s biggest event — the Super Bowl. And although it may seem disconnected to the work you’re doing with us…Sis…
This past week, during the Super Bowl activities, we took Ms. Shirley Chisholm’s advice and brought out our folding chair to make a seat for ourselves at the table.
The ladies of 1M4 made our mark, started conversations and raised awareness on decriminalizing mental illness at the very event that America’s eyes are now glued on. We spoke with sports personalities, athletes, orgs, podcast, & media personnel all about mental health, mental illness, social justice & racial equity. And most importantly, we spoke to them about The Right Response Directory.
We told them how it was born from the community – our community. We talked about the reliability and safety it brings when experiencing a mental health emergency and the confidence it provides in the people coming to help you.
We spent this last week putting this directory on the map and in the hands of people with platforms that can amplify it because we know what doing that means. It means more people getting access to the right response. Aka, more lives saved.
And you know what? This time, what happens in Vegas is not staying in Vegas.
“Sometimes history takes things into its own hands.”
— Thurgood Marshall
Superbowl Spotlight
1M4 attended two Super Bowl events this week.
- A media event with Players Coalition highlighting their new community safety partners.
Here, we met Anquan Boldin, Co-Founder of Players Coalition, and thanked his team for their support with The Right Response Directory
2. The Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee Press Event.
Here, we were awarded with a Super Bowl Game Day legacy grant. To say we are grateful is an understatement.
Case Update On: Isaiah Williams
Latia Alexander, Isaiah’s mom, filed a suit against the Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD) last month. However, they have continued to avoid providing Latia with the search warrant they claim was the purpose of the raid on the home Isaiah was sleeping in at the time he was murdered.
Please continue to say Isaiah’s name. We’re hopeful the lawsuit proceeds without additional delays.
Article of the Week
Check out what we’re reading and make sure to hit reply and tell us your thoughts!
A Mental Health Tip For You!
Last week we asked you to write down what you want to see of and from yourself during Black History Month. Then, we asked you to sit on it and sort through what was for you and what wasn’t. Because knowing the difference between the two is important. But let’s be real, as mamas and mama figures, there’s somethings we have to do or make selflessly, right?
Kinda.
Last year, during one of our Sista check-ins we reviewed 6 ways to mind your mental health. One way, suggested by the Ladipo Group, was to identify the things, responsibilities and activities you should stop doing or delegate.
So on this Self-Care Sunday, we want you to ask yourself…
Is there anything on your list for this month (or year!) you think you have to do but don’t want to? Is there anything you can delegate? Whether by hiring help or pulling in a partner or family member, how can you get support to live a balanced life that serves you AND those you love?
Spread Some Blessings!
The consequences of police violence extend far beyond the loss of life. For families affected, it’s the loss of income, the sacrifice of basic necessities, and the start of a high-cost legal fight. If you have the capacity, consider donating to 1M4. Proceeds help support impacted families and sustain the work of 1M4 toward ending police violence for good.
We don’t know if you know this, but 2024 is not just any year. 2024 is THE year. It’s the year for change. The year for safety. It’s the year we make leaps and bounds in the march toward decriminalizing mental illness.
And what we did at the Superbowl activities is only the beginning.
We’re committed to and will continue ensuring everyone has access to The Right Response. So if you haven’t already, save it to your bookmarks and then share this email with your friends and family.
Let’s put safety on everyone’s radar.
Your Sis In All Of This,
