The UPLift with Tzedek: Real Talk for Real Change

In this episode of TheUPLift, Delia Noemi Jovel Dubón of Tierra Fértil Coop and Stephanie Swepson-Twitty of Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation dig into the fundamental importance of trust-based community partnerships and the power of authentic, reciprocal relationships. When these social change powerhouses come together, it's nothing short of inspirational magic. Clear communication...

In this 2024 kick-off episode, we jump into the beautiful, sometimes messy world of community engagement and social justice work alongside Tzedek's newest team member, Tera Coffey. In sharing her experience of working in the government grind to navigating the nuts and bolts of nonprofits, Tera's experience speaks to the innate truths and challenges of staying true to oneself while still...

Can celebrating failures can be just as powerful as cheering for our successes? Is collaboration necessary for collective liberation? What pressures do BIPOC leaders face in this work? How do we heal together and what roadblocks slow our progress? In this episode, Giannina Callejas and Shuvonda Harper of the Center for Participatory Change (CPC) share their thoughts and experiences from the social...

Healing is a personal, as well as collective, journey. In this episode, Ember Phoenix explores the critical importance of engaging in difficult conversations with curiosity, love, and commitment as a path to individual and community liberation. Using an intersectional lens, Ember highlights a profound truth – we each hold a unique "medicine" that can expedite this shared healing. About E...

Ready to reimagine the concept of workplace equity? Gear up as Lindsay Majer discusses actionable strategies for creating a work environment that truly embraces and empowers everyone. From standardizing pay to redefining job descriptions, we dive into the nitty-gritty, down-and-dirty of crafting equitable, people-centered workplace policies.  About Lindsay: Lindsay Majer is the Director of Mindful...

Ready to unveil the powerful journey of a nonprofit organization's transition into a union? Offering invaluable services to survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking, Our VOICE is instrumental in Asheville's nonprofit realm. In this month's episode, Rita Sneider-Cotter and Jason Iglesias from Our VOICE shed light on the significance of cultivating unity in nonprofit spaces...

Ever wondered about the deeper significance of Black Philanthropy Month, celebrated every August? Tracey Greene-Washington and Tera Coffey , dynamic voices from the revolutionary organization CoThinkk , join us to shed light on this global celebration and its profound impact on social transformation. These two powerhouse women bring to the forefront the true essence of Black giving - a practice ro...

Ready to kickstart change? Then buckle up! Get inspired by Colaborativa La Milpa ’s Director Geny Hernández López and Operations & Finance Coordinator Angeli Sosa as we explore a powerful model of grassroots activism centering WNC immigrant lives, rights, and communities. For over 20 years, Latinx immigrant leaders in the Emma neighborhood of Asheville have led grassroots efforts rooted in mut...

It's Pride month and we're discussing LGBTQ+ inclusion/exclusion in the South with Reverend Tami Forte Logan of Faith 4 Justice Asheville and Torre White  of the Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Asheville . About Rev. Tami: Rev. Tami Forte Logan is the Equity Missioner of Faith 4 Justice Asheville—“faith leaders in the Asheville region provoking justice for and with Black and Brown b...

For Tzedek, the Brilliance Awards are one way to UPLift the UPLifters! Tzedek Brilliance Awards honor Asheville leaders who have engaged in impactful, intersectional efforts to further racial justice and LGBTQ equality or to combat antisemitism. Listen in as our past Brilliance Award winners Marta Ligia Alcalá and Philip Cooper join in to speak truth and share experience. We're talking wealth...

This month, we get REAL in exploring the incredible power of community-based, BIPOC-led doulas and how they're changing the game for birthing families. The numbers don't lie. The truth is that Black birthers have a 53% higher risk of dying in the hospital during childbirth - no matter their bank account size, insurance status, or any other social determinant of health. So what gives? As...

This month, we're diving into the question, "Why should POC care about dismantling antisemitism?" Carolina Jews for Justice Executive Director Abby Lublin and local author, advocate, and Golden Moon Circles consultant Ray Hemachandra are at the table to help unpack these topics. Hang on tight because this conversation goes deep - fast! Grappling with the antisemitic tropes of Jews a...

Welcome to The UPlift with the Tzedek Social Justice Fund !  What if we told you that the key to real change lies in open dialogues, brave spaces, and shared values? Well, we're testing out that belief and invite you to listen in, as we delve into the nuances of social justice, community engagement, and trust-based philanthropy in Asheville, NC. The UPLift is a monthly 30-minute social justic...