During Black History Month, we are making a pointed effort to highlight the work and talents of the Black members of our community. This work is always relevant, but we hope the timeliness of this visibility can help lift up and recognize this work.
We’re very excited that the Black in Gaming Awards and Festival are back in 2024, scheduled on March 19 to coincide with GDC. They are hosted by the Black in Gaming Foundation, led by Trinidad Black. Trinidad will also be hosting this year’s IGF Awards on March 20 at GDC!
We’d like to direct your attention to a fundraiser to support Palestine by Take This’ Board Chair, Tanya DePass. This is a cause which historically and presently Black and other activists and leaders of many identities know is important because they recognize that collective liberation is the only true liberation. Please note: this fundraiser only runs through February 15, 2024! Tanya is also the creative director of the upcoming Into The Mother Lands TTRPG, as well as the founder of I Need Diverse Games, an organization which seeks to better diversify all aspects of gaming.
One of our newest board members, Dr. Samantha Blackmon (streaming as Saffista), is building the Black Games Archive in partnership with another fantastic scholar, Dr. TreaAndrea Russworm (Tanya DePass is also on the board of the archive). Dr. Blackmon also co-founded and hosts the podcast Not Your Mama’s Gamer.
Our own Clinical Program Manager, Cassie Walker, is partnering with Dr. Russworm on new research (more to come!) and can be found online at https://www.i-cch.com. Their recent work includes starting the Chicago-based Black Liberation Playday, and successfully campaigning to make the Illinois social work licensure process more equitable. They also created the Identity and Mental Health in Gaming panel series for Take This in 2023.
Our newest workshop consultant, Dr. Ashley Elliott, hosts a podcast called Vividly Speaking, and can be found online at https://www.doctorvivid.com/. Dr. Elliott holds a weekly stream on TikTok, Cope Chat with Dr. Vivid, which focuses on psychoeducation and demonstration of positive coping tools. She also works to promote psychedelic and plant medicine education within Black, Brown and Indigenous communities in effort to dismantle oppressive and negative connotations associated with cultural and spiritual practices.