Strengthen your family and community by Elevating E.S.T.E.E.M.

(Equity, Self-Appreciation, Time, Empowerment, Engage, Meaningful Connections)

EngageConnect with others in the community
1. Outdoor Afro (Pittsburgh Chapter) is a community that reconnects African-		Americans with natural spaces and one another through recreational activities
such as camping, hiking, biking, birding, fishing, gardening, skiing — and more!
We use social media to create interest communities, events, and to help shift 		the visual representation of who gets outdoors. Here is where you can start 		
locally connecting with people who share your outdoor interests and aspirations!
2. Steel on Ice (National Brotherhood of Black Skiers- Pittsburgh Chapter)
We are an all seasons club looking to share our spirit of adventure with new 		friends. Skiing, biking, golfing, and more.  Jan 21, 2023 Learn to Ski (at BoycePark)
3. Afro American Music Institute is a Pittsburgh based organization dedicated topromoting the arts. This organization has nurtured thousands of musicians 		through education. Current programs at AAMI are divided into four categories:• Curriculum• Performance Groups• Summer Youth Intensive Camp• Public Performance Series
4. Tuskegee Airmen Memorial at Sewickley Cemetery is the largest outdoor
memorial of its kind in the United States. It was dedicated on September 15, 2013and commemorates the legacy of almost 100 Tuskegee Airmen who hailed from
Western Pennsylvania – eight from Sewickley.
5. Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club’s purpose is to introduce cycling, skill 		development/instruction and overall health benefits to the African American
community. Focusing on providing the novice, intermediate, and advance cyclist
an opportunity to ride, train, and socialize with other cycling enthusiasts. PMTCC
conducts social and community activities, youth programs, and other activities 		that result in improving the development of cycling in the African American 		Community.
6. Highland Park Tennis Club’s mission is to promote and develop the growth oftennis in Pittsburgh’s multi-cultural community. To increase tennis participation,support tennis programming, and foster diversity. To use tennis as a means 		
Page 1 of 2

to develop and maintain physical and mental wellness. HPTC is proud to have 		a multi-cultural membership that comes from diverse social-economic groups 		and various communities in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.
A signature piece for the club is its FREE summer tennis clinic which operates 		each year, on Saturday mornings from May through July.  Instruction isprovided by top local tennis players and is offered on all levels, i.e. beginners, 		intermediate and advanced for adults and children from 5 years old. Racquets 		
are provided for those who need them.
7. Kelly Strayhorn Theater is named after 20th century entertainment legends
Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, both natives of Pittsburgh, PA. KST carries on
the legacy of its founders by fostering bold and innovative artistry with a 		global perspective. KST is a home for creative experimentation, 				community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black andqueer people. KST welcomes all who uplift Black, Indigenous, people ofcolor, and queer voices. Pay What Moves You, an accessible scale of ticket 		
prices, encourages audiences to choose an equitable price that best fits theirbudget; while also still fairly compensating artists.
8. The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is a multi-disciplinary 		arts center dedicated to the celebration of the African American journey. It is oneof the largest cultural organizations in the country focused exclusively the 		African American experience. From national treasures in the galleries and 		award-winning artists on stage, the August Wilson African American Cultural 		Center is alive with activity.
9. Carmi Soul Food’s mission is to serve their community; employ people reflectiveof their values, and the community; and share their Christian values.
10. Black College Tour (for high school juniors and seniors)

Page 2 of 2

Strengthen your family and community by Elevating E.S.T.E.E.M.

(Equity, Self-Appreciation, Time, Empowerment, Engage, Meaningful Connections)

Listen / Read

Check out podcasts and books that expand your mind
Listen:1. Hey Black Child: The Podcast- features the stories of lesser known African-		
American heroes from the past and present. They talk about everything 		from voting to “the truth about Thanksgiving” to a an episode about race, kids, &banking. Conversation starter for children ages 7 and up.
2. Dairies of a Black Girl in Foster Care- a series that addresses current cultural 		
issues, disparities, and stereotypes that aid in poor outcomes for Black girls whohave experienced care. It also touches on the successes of youth have aged outof the system.
3. Do Right By me: Learning to Raise Black Children in White Spaces
4. Just as Special – The place to learn about foster care from a BIPOC perspective
5. How to Talk About Racism, Adoption, & Parenting a Black Boy in America- 		
focuses on adoption, single-parenting, racism, and raising a black boy

Read:
1. The Black Foster Youth Handbook- 50 + lessons I Learned to Successfully AgeOut of Foster Care and Holistically Heal by Angela Quijada-Banks
2. Shattered Bonds: The Color of Child Welfare by Dorothy Roberts
3. Affirmations for Black Boys
4. Badass Black Girls: Quotes, & Affirmations for Teens by MJ Fievre
5. Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy: Racism, Injustices, & How You
Can Be a Changemaker- Emmanual Acho
6. How the Cat Got its Sound: the Story of Three Pittsburgh Cats and a Windy 		Night in Bellevue
7. Ebony Magazine
8. Essence Magazine
9. The New Pittsburgh Courier (newspaper)
10. The Soul Pitt (Pgh based website)

Page 1 of 1

Strengthen your family and community by Elevating E.S.T.E.E.M.

(Equity, Self-Appreciation, Time, Empowerment, Engage, Meaningful Connections)

Watch

Enjoy Black excellence on tv and stage
On TV (series):
1. Colin in Black & White
2. Blackish
3. Mixedish
4. Gracies Corner
5. Doc McStuffins

TV Networks:
1. TV One2. BET (Black Entertainment Television)

On Stage:
1. Harlem Nutcracker
2. Hip-Hop Nutcracker
3. The Wiz
4. Lion King
5. Drumline
6. Dreamgirls

Page 1 of 1

Strengthen your family and community by Elevating E.S.T.E.E.M.

(Equity, Self-Appreciation, Time, Empowerment, Engage, Meaningful Connections)Self-Care
Nurture your soul

1. Family Self-Care. Use these 5 tips from the Mental Health First Aid curriculum
to practice self-care as a family: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2020/07/
tips-to-practice-self-care-as-a-family/
2. Four Pillars of Self-Care. https://sportpsych.unt.edu/four-pillars-self-care :Understanding that the Four Pillars of Self-Care can help set a foundation for every
member of a family, click here to identify ways 1) nutrition; 2) *sleep hygiene; 3)social support; and 4) physical activity can elevate everyone in your family.
*Sleep Hygiene. In case you’re wondering what sleep hygiene is, click here to findout: https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/what-is-sleephygiene
3. Self-Care in an Overscheduled Family. How to make self-care a family priority…
because busy families need self-care too: https://parents.au.reachout.com/skillsto-build/wellbeing/things-to-try-self-care/how-to-make-self-care-a-familypriority
4. 8 Types of Self-Care…Take Your Pick. Self-care takes many forms and is a key
piece of mental wellness. Because “self-care” can mean so many different things, it
can be helpful to think of the 8 types of self-care as flavors or food groups: it’s niceto have some variety and each type can deliver different benefits: https://www.
willowstone.org/news/8-types-of-self-care
5. The Great Wellness Challenge. Challenge your family to a 30-day commitment
to nurturing your physical and mental health, whereby you do one family self-care
activity every day for the next month. Chances are you’ll want to keep going longafter the 30 days are over. These 30 family self-care activities can get you started:
https://parents-together.org/30-day-family-self-care-challenge/

Page 1 of 26) The Healing Power of Trauma-informed Parenting. Children who haveexperienced traumatic events need to feel safe and loved. All parents want toprovide this kind of nurturing home for their children. However, when parents don’t
understand the effects of trauma, they may misinterpret their child’s behavior andend up feeling frustrated or resentful. Their attempts to address troubling behavior
may be ineffective or, in some cases, even harmful.
This factsheet discusses the nature of trauma, its effects on children and youth,and ways to help your child. By increasing your understanding of trauma, you canhelp support your child’s healing, your relationship with them, and your family as awhole: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubpdfs/child-trauma.pdf
7) Yoga for the Health of You and Your Family. Kids and teens can do yoga for thesame reasons grown-ups do: because it feels good to stretch out your body, slow
down your breathing, and relax your mind. Yoga can help you feel calmer when life
is busy and stressful.
Aaahh…Go here to learn more about yoga for lowering stress in tweens and teens:
https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/yoga-stress.html
8) Should Children Practice Mindfulness? YESSSS! Here are 7 tips to help
your child focus on the present and build lifelong coping skills: https://health.
clevelandclinic.org/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-mindfulness/
9) Meditation and Yoga. This powerful duo can help you and your family promote
focus and collaborative learning — particularly for people with ADHD. Learn
how to introduce mindfulness exercises to your child whether they face generallife stressors or more serious barriers to total wellness. Here are 10 Mindfulness
Exercises for Stronger School/Life Focus: https://www.additudemag.com/tenmindfulness-exercises/
10) Ever heard the rainbow? Ever thought of healing through the sound of colors
like brown, green, white, red, or pink? Color sound may be something to try forchildren, teens, and adults that can shape your mood, calm your mind, energize
you, and help your focus. It’s free and can be a wonderful alternative to medicationand psychotherapy: How To Improve Your Child’s Mood With Colors: https://www.
parent.com/blogs/conversations/how-to-improve-your-childs-mood-with-colors
The Scientific Method: Can ‘color sound’ help us get things done? https://the1a.org/
segments/the-scientific-method-can-color-sound-help-us-get-things-done/

Page 2 of 2