Posts by Kristin Benani
STORY #15: Environmental Leadership Pillar
“Our young people are not just the leaders of the future, they are the leaders of today. We hope that through this pillar they build personal relationships with the planet and an understanding of the interdependence between the health of the planet and the health of our communities.” -Madison OCU’s fifth pillar is Environmental Leadership.…
Read MoreSTORY #14: Training the Trainers
Hawah Kasat, the Co-Founder / Executive Director at One Common Unity (OCU), has dedicated his life to facilitate interactive workshops, perform, and teach peace. He also leads special trainings for teachers and students in conflict resolution, non-violent communication, positive youth development, social-emotional literacy, mindfulness, social justice, and arts empowerment. “Training the Trainers” One Common Unity…
Read MoreAmerica, We Have A [Gun] Problem.
It’s been just six days since the last mass fatality event. Another mass shooting. Another public venue. Another 10 lives lost—another 21-year-old male suspect in custody. Countless families traumatized. Devastated. Grieving the loss of their loved ones. Let’s remember their names: Officer Eric Talley, 51, first responder; Denny Stong, 20; Neven Stanisic, 23; Rikki Olds, 25; Tralona Bartkowiak, 49; Suzanne…
Read MoreSTORY #13: Social Justice Pillar
“Social justice is the idea that human beings, institutions, and systems can be reborn and reshaped to make marginalized groups better off without making others worse off.” – Johneé Johneé Wilson is a program facilitator and National Training Organizer at One Common Unity. She creates interactive and dynamic learning experiences for middle and high school…
Read MoreSTORY #12: Love Yourself
“Don’t let anyone dim your light or make you feel like less than what you are. Self-Love is the best love, and we should all practice it each and every day as much as we can!” Shardia Strowbridge is a One Common Unity (OCU) Fly By Light (FBL) Alumni Facilitator. She is one of the…
Read MoreSTORY #11: Miss Intention
Miss Intention is a powerful music video shining a light on the injustices many students—particularly Black girls—face inside school systems that use punitive discipline measures like detention and suspension. Miss Intention poses the question to educators: “When she’s crying out for attention, your response is detention. What if we stop to listen for a minute with intention?”…
Read MoreSTORY #10: Peace & Positivity
My name is Delvin, but you can call me Del. I’m from D.C. and attended middle and high school at CHEC. The first time I connected with One Common Unity (OCU) was during my middle school days. OCU had started an afterschool program, Fly By Light, which I grew interested in. In the program, my peers and…
Read MoreResponse to the Breach of the Capitol
January 7, 2021 At One Common Unity, we feel deeply shaken and appalled by yesterday’s reprehensible attack on our democracy. We also find strength and hope in witnessing a clear victory for democracy as record-breaking numbers of Black, Latinx and Asian voters turned out to the polls and elected the first African American Senator and…
Read MoreSTORY #9: Latinx Fly By Light (English Version)
Kamisraki to everyone reading this, my name is Jair, and to some students, I’m known as “Mr. Ja” or “Mr. Yahir.” I’m an indigenous community organizer and advocate in the multiple struggles for climate and social justice. I am also a program facilitator for the Fly By Light program across multiple schools in the District. Hola!…
Read MoreCUENTO #9: Volar Por La Luz
Kamisraki a todos leyendo, mi nombre es Jair, pero mis estudiantes me dicen “Mr. Ja” o “Mr. Yahir.” Soy un organizador indígena que lucha contra el cambio climático y por la justicia social. También soy facilitador del programa Volar por La Luz que se lleva a cabo en varias escuelas dentro del distrito. Volar por La…
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