Embedded Files
Inequities for BIPOC communities stem from a multitude of interconnected factors entrenched in historical traumas, systemic racism and cultural barriers that limit access to resources, inclusive spaces and opportunities to see their contributions valued and honored.
Our four pillars address these challenges by focusing on story, art, environment and wellness.
PILLAR ONE: Seeding Our Stories
PILLAR ONE: Seeding Our Stories
Seeding Our Stories shares cultural narratives through literature and storytelling to empower communities of color, foster understanding, and drive social change. It also houses Palabras Bilingual Bookstore.
Why It's Needed
Why It's Needed
This pillar addresses the barriers in access to literature that reflects the lived experiences of BIPOC communities across intersections of marginalization and shares the often untold history of the contributions of these communities.
Specific challenges:
Book bans have been a longstanding challenge in the state of Arizona with a focus on books by and about minority groups with a focus on books related to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Examples:
HB2281: A bill banning ethnic studies, removing vital historical and cultural literature reflecting the experiences of Mexican Americans and other minority groups from the state's school curriculum. It is posed as a law which prohibits any class that “advocates ethnic solidarity.” This law is still in effect for the state of Arizona.
HB2495 A bill requiring parent permission for "sexually explicit" content. Many educators stand against the bill which they see is being used to disproportionately limit access to books by and about minority groups, specifically titles with BIPOC characters and LGBTQIA+ themes.
BIPOC Representation In The book industry has not significantly improved over the last 5 years, and the industry has historically been predominantly white, with a disproportionate representation of white publisher staff, published authors, and booksellers.
According the Lee & Low diversity baseline survey, there has been no significant changes in the historically white and cis publishing industry over the last five years. In 2019 the publishing industry was 79% white cis women and is now 76% White cis women. There is also a decrease in the percentage of gay representation in the industry from 10% to 4%. This is important because it reflects on whose stories are published.
According to the Cooperative Children's Book Center, there has been no significant increase in the share of books that have at least one creator who is BIPOC, with 41% of the books documented in 2024 having at least one BIPOC author, illustrator, or compiler (in the case of anthologies) — up from 40 percent in 2023. Notably, books by Asian (19%) and Indigenous (3%) creators saw slight increases. By comparison, 70% of the books the CCBC received included at least one white creator.
Programs We Currently Offer
Programs We Currently Offer
Palabras Bilingual Bookstore
Curated Collection of Literature
BIPOC Open Mic
New Suns Book Club
Durango Juvenile Detention Center Book Drive
Author events and workshops
PILLAR TWO: Snail's Trail 🐌
PILLAR TWO: Snail's Trail 🐌
Snail's Trail works to build a deeper connection with the land we live on in order to create sustainable and fulfilling environmental practices that leave a positive impact for generations to come.
Why It's Needed
Why It's Needed
This pillar addresses the barriers for BIPOC communities in access to green spaces, outdoor recreation and inclusion in conservation efforts, as well as access to healthy food. BIPOC communities have historically disproportionately experienced these barriers due to factors such as environmental racism, redlining, discriminatory housing practices and being pushed to the outskirts of cities which are food deserts in often toxic industrial areas. This is especially true for Phoenix Arizona.
Specific Challenges:
Access to green spaces and healthy affordable food: According to data from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, South Phoenix, Durango Complex and West Phoenix consistently rank as the having the worst air quality in all of Maricopa County. According to research complied by the ASU Morrison Institute for Public Policy, these areas have less green spaces, hold most of the counties' factories and waste facilities, and are also mostly populated by BIPOC communities that were intentionally pushed to the outskirts of west and south Maricopa county through a history of segregation and discriminatory housing policies. They also lack access to healthy affordable food.
Programs We Currently Offer
Programs We Currently Offer
Kinship Garden
Birding Group
Seed Library
Single Herb Series
Seasonal garden events
PILLAR THREE: Caracols of Care
PILLAR THREE: Caracols of Care
Our Healing Arts pillar, Caracols of Care, provides community wellness programing that supports physical, emotional, and mental well-being that is culturally relevant and conscious of historical barriers.
Why It's Needed
Why It's Needed
BIPOC communities encounter distinct physical and mental health challenges stemming from systemic racism, discrimination, and historical trauma. These issues contribute to elevated rates of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, along with physical health problems including hypertension and heart disease. Furthermore, stigma, cultural mistrust, and the scarcity of culturally responsive care providers impede access to health services. Research conducted by the leading independent source for health policy research, polling and news, KFF reflects these disparities.
Programs We Currently Offer
Programs We Currently Offer
New Moon PJ Party
Cozy Indoor and Outdoor Areas
Single Herb Series
PILLAR FOUR: Caracol Arts
PILLAR FOUR: Caracol Arts
Caracol Arts provides accessible art programming as a tool for marginalized communities across intersections to share their stories, identity and culture, as well as process emotions and express joy through a creative medium.
Why It's Needed
Why It's Needed
Art plays an important role in expressing cultural identity. Through visual storytelling, art shares community beliefs, traditions, ideas and experiences and preserves them for future generations. Art has also been shown to improve mental and physical health, as well as cognitive function. There has historically been a lack of BIPOC representation in the art world in all areas, including artworkers, artists and those viewing and consuming art.
Programs We Currently Offer
Programs We Currently Offer
Raiz Gallery
Art Skill Share Series
Tianguis Markets
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