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Follow Their Lead #TeenDVMonth #BlackHistoryMonth

February is the month for love, Black history, and teen dating violence awareness. What if we brought all those elements together to take action for teens and Black lives? What if we really listened to young people and followed their lead?

We envision a world where all people can live and love freely without fear. As the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence said in October for Domestic Violence Action Month, “Now is the time to boldly pivot our work to dismantle white supremacy, to center the needs and experiences of Black survivors…and to engage in ‘conversations around what actually keeps us safe, what actually allows survivors and communities to heal and thrive, and what will actually end violence.’” Addressing teens and their needs must be part of that engagement. February is Teen Dating Violence ACTION Month (TDVAM) AND Black History Month. Let’s honor the legacies of Black women, support the leadership of Black-led organizations dedicated to ending violence and creating justice, and build a more loving and equitable world.

Each week of February, we’ll highlight youth activists who are showing the kind of fierce love for communities that it takes to end teen dating violence and oppression. And remember, you can always  take action for healthy relationships by supporting friends and family, aspiring to love like this, and asking how’s your relationship?

Let’s follow their lead! #TDVAM #BlackHistoryMonth #TeenDVMonth

Illustration of young people holding hands with text saying Teens thrive when: they’re listened to, they hear that their lives matter, they know they’re loved, they can be who they are, they know who to turn to, and communities care under a quote from Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, “For while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.” At the bottom on a blue wave background, text reads Take action for healthy relationships by standing up for Black lives. Follow their lead #TDVAM #BlackHistoryMonth. wscadv.org/news

Teens thrive when For the first week of February let’s lift up the incredible poetry and activism of Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and get to know her work and voice!

Yellow heart in between two blue waves – the top blue wave has a quote from bell hooks, “There can be no love without justice.” Above the heart it says Show all kinds of love and around the heart there are examples like: mutual aid, create a world where we can all love freely without fear, romantic love, love for our diverse communities, self-love, and good friends make great valentines. At the bottom on a blue wave background, text reads: Take action for healthy relationships by standing up for Black lives. Follow their lead #TDVAM #BlackHistoryMonth. wscadv.org/news

Show all kinds of love. Leading up to Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate romantic & all kinds of love. Celebrate Black love with this playlist & send your friend or boo one of our valentines. Lift up the fierce love of these young activists with a follow & donation. And read about local youth engaging in the Black Lives Matter movement and west-coast climate justice activism.

Illustration of young woman holding a black lives matter sign in between two blue waves – the top blue wave has a quote from bell hooks, “When we can see ourselves as we truly are and accept ourselves, we build the necessary foundation for self-love.” Above the illustration, it says Know your worth and around the image it says: I am loved, I am bright, I am valuable, I am fierce, Check out loveisrespect.org to learn more, and everyone deserves healthy loving relationships. At the bottom on a blue wave background, text reads: Take action for healthy relationships by standing up for Black lives. Follow their lead #TDVAM #BlackHistoryMonth. wscadv.org/news

Know your worth. In week three let’s lift up the activists at loveisrespect.org. Their theme for TDVAM 2021 is Know Your Worth, focusing on healthy relationships and self empowerment! And also check out Youth Speaks Seattle  – they create avenues for youth voices through creative expression and promote healing, empowerment, and community. 

Illustration of young woman holding up her fist in between two blue waves – the top blue wave has a quote from Dr. Mae Jemison, “Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.” Above the illustration it says Love our history and around the image, it reads: Celebrate groundbreakers of the past and present, Read ALL THE THINGS, Learn ALL THE MOVEMENTS, and Honor the struggle and show up for the future. At the bottom on a blue wave background, text reads: Take action for healthy relationships by standing up for Black lives. Follow their lead #TDVAM #BlackHistoryMonth. wscadv.org/news

Love our history. For the last week of February, let’s remember our history and celebrate our past and present. Find out more about Dr. Mae Jemison and be inspired by this poster! Look to Mutual Aid Books for inspiration on how to read with purpose and follow them on Instagram to see their youth activism take shape!