Using a healing justice approach, P4L engages with Black parents to do their own healing and transformative work, helping Black parents to understand intergenerational trauma rooted in slavery. Based on research by Dr. Joy DeGruy-Leary, there are many chains that need to be broken to heal Black parents from the impacts of post-traumatic slave syndrome – such as punitive parenting styles – that are rooted in fear stemming from slavery. P4L is working to unearth and connect to these deeply seeded historical traumas and provide liberatory and healing practices for Black parents; then begin to build with parents as leaders as an essential driver of social movements. When parents can access their own liberation and healing, they are equipped to advocate and support their children and community. To that end, P4L offers the following programming:
Below is an overview of our expected annual programming, based on our 2023 plans. P4L is a learning organization and we will continue to evaluate the success of programs in advancing our organization’s core outcomes and objectives, and may shift strategies in response to lessons learned.
Ongoing Programming
Black Parent Innovation Fund | June – February
Innovation Lab is P4L’s flagship program. From a pool of proposals submitted by Black parents, each year Parenting for Liberation awards wrap-around support and $5,000 in funding to 10 Black Parents Fellows for testing their program or event(s) ideas which aim to create solutions to problems impacting Black families.
Healing Offerings | Ongoing, as needed
Parenting for Liberation knows that, for any parent to transition toward liberative parenting, we must engage in healing work first. Given this insight, we provide Black parents with resources and healing events/retreats to help end trauma, eradicate violence, and increase awareness, tenderness, and love toward positively transforming self and their parenting. As part of P4L’s Healing Justice Program, Black parents and caregivers receive healing resources via our Care for Caregivers Fund that includes access to wellness sessions by Black community healers, healing gift boxes, and/or in-person healing retreats.
Parenting for Liberation Podcast | Ongoing, new episode each month
A mix of kitchen counter, living room couch style conversations with activist parents, parent activists throughout various movements. Topics covered have historically included issues that intersect to impact Black lives, from health, domestic violence, reproductive justice and race, trauma, parenting, and more.
Policy Advocacy Work | Ongoing
P4L collaborates is working with Black parents impacted by systemic racism in Child Welfare/CPS to build a social justice coalition to provide community organizing opportunities for Black parents to help them organize with each other, as well as with local and national movements that result in Black parents’ power-building and achieving the shared political goals of Black families.
Learning Opportunities for Black Parents to Learn Liberated Parenting Strategies| Ongoing, On-demand
At Parenting for Liberation, we emphasize learning AND praxis. Thus Black parents learn liberative Black parenting approaches through the Strong African American Families course, CSUF college courses, internship opportunities for college students, and on-demand workshops that center tenets from the book Parenting for Liberation: A Guide for Raising Black Children authored by our Founder/Executive Director Trina Greene.
Annual Events
Black History Celebration | February
In celebration of Black History Month, the Innovation Celebration celebrates the boldness, creativity, and expertise of Black parents in California by spotlighting their innovation projects with their community and other stakeholders.
Black Mama Magic | May
In celebration of Black motherhood, Black Mama Magic invites Black mamas to relax, reflect in community, and indulge in self-care while sharing dialogue around identity and motherhood.
Black Daddy Day | June
In celebration of Black fatherhood, Black Daddy Day engages fathers in critical dialogue about Black fatherhood and masculinity, and concludes with a Fatherhood Pledge.
Queer Parent’s Day | July
In celebration of the expansiveness of Black parenting, this event celebrates queer Black parents and caregivers, regardless of gender-identity.
Black August | August
P4L offers a virtual month-long remembrance of freedom fighters and political prisoners against racial oppression. Also during this season of back-to-school, P4L equips Black parents and caregivers with tools to transition their children back to school.
Kwanzaa Celebration | December
Our annual Kwanzaa Celebration invites the P4L community to honor and celebrate the African American cultural holiday. The event includes live performances, art-making activities, and cultural cuisine.