SPARK builds leaders to engage and educate our community in shifting power, shifting culture, and uplifting Black Women and Queer and Trans Young People of Color. We succeed in this by engaging Black Women and QTYPOC through our programs, actions, initiatives and health advocacy efforts. See our programs below:
Leadership Development
The Fierce Youth Reclaiming & Empowering (FYRE) program was founded in 2010 and develops the civic leadership of Queer & Trans young people of color and ally young people of color living in the South. FYRE develops leaders primarily through the FYRE Media Justice Camp (FMJC) as well as internships, social media engagement, the IGNITE Queer & Trans Youth of Color Convening, trainings and technical assistance for student leaders, art, and by conducting community-based research.
The Trans Leadership Initiative (TLI) was founded in 2017 and will focus on creating annual community and social events specifically for and by Trans people of color in the month of November. We encourage anyone interested to contact us – especially those looking to grow their organizing strengths and build a stronger trans community here in Atlanta. Topics being discussed at this meeting include:
– Brainstorming ideas of programming to put on.
– Discussing what resources Atlanta trans folks need.
– Developing a framework for our November – Month of Programs.
& more.
SPARK offers Queering Reproductive Justice and Reproductive Justice 101 trainings. We offer these trainings to classes, panels, organizations or individuals.
Organizing & Civic Engagement
Our advocacy and issue-based education takes form in the shape of our Speak Justice Take Action (SJTA) programming. SJTA is led on the principle that civic engagement combined with community mobilization is vital to making and sustaining lasting change in our communities. The SJTA program includes informing our base and legislators of key reproductive justice issues in order to transform power and shift policy priorities. The SJTA program houses legislative hearings, our annual statewide day of action and advocacy, LegislateTHIS!, as well as SOI, the advocacy training leading up to it.
In 2016 we launched our Field Day programming to accompany our monthly Kick-It With SPARK sessions in order to create spaces where we could meet and talk with members of our community on the policy and social issues that affect our day-to-day. These organizing events are intended to not only inform participants of optimal health practices, but also get feedback on issues that they experience which in turn helps SPARK create relevant educational materials and make meaningful connections within our community.
In 2018 we launched our program Get Lit with SPARK. This weekly programming provides our base members and the staff with time to connect and meet more casually. SPARK hosts Get Lit at a different venue every week with different topics to discuss and the occasional special guest. Base members are encouraged to join us at our locations or tune into our live Instagram and Facebook feeds throughout the day.
Digital Outreach
SPARK Off! is a monthly podcast produced by SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW based in Atlanta, GA. Focusing on content based around reproductive justice and beyond, SPARK Off! is like the first sip of coffee into the world of social justice and more!
