03/16/2023
Hello Dharma Friends,
I have been working on the Advisory Board of Dharma Relief 2 (DR2): “Healing Racial Trauma Through Buddhist Communities,” an initiative recognizing Black Dharma teachers/leaders as powerfully positioned to offer healing and support through a Buddhist lens for African-descendant communities in the U.S. These teachers/leaders impact the intergenerational, historical, and continuing present-day trauma on African-descended people. DR2, through the generous dāna (donations) of many, is funding five individual Black Dharma Teacher/Leader Fellowships to provide the community and material resources they need to carry on their profound work. Fellows will receive a monthly dāna offer of $1,000 USD to use as they see fit to best support their livelihood and well being. The Fellowships begin in October of 2023 and continue for one year.
It is our aspiration to support a cohort that feels well-resourced and connected with one another. In order to create a shared experience over the course of the Fellowship, Fellows will participate in three daylong Fellowship circles and a residential retreat with Deep Time Liberation. Retreat registration and a $300 travel stipend have been generously provided by Insight Meditation Society.
I am pleased to share that Fellowship applications will open on Monday, April 10th! For more detailed information on what the Fellowship Program provides, the application and selection process, eligibility, participation expectations, project goals, and dāna disbursement, please refer to the ‘Fellowship FAQs’ found on the Dharma Relief 2 website at http://dharmarelief.org/healing-racial-trauma/. Please note that applications will be accepted through April 30, 2023. Please also consider joining us for a live-stream information session on March 20, 2023. Here is the registration link for this session, which will be recorded for future viewing. Attendance at this session is not required to apply to the Fellowship program.
Please note that, because this pilot project will involve a limited number of Fellows, only a shortlist of BIPOC Sanghas are being asked to help inform Black teachers/leaders of the opportunity. Your voice is crucial in spreading the word. I hope you will assist us.
To date, we have raised almost $58,000 for the project - and we are gladly continuing to accept donations through the home stretch to reach our goal of $60,000. We deeply appreciate any support you may offer!
Again, my sincere thanks for your efforts to empower our Dharma kin. I look forward to sharing more with you soon and, in the meantime, look forward to any questions, comments and suggestions you may have. You can reach me by email here or by phone at 612-207-4854, or you may contact the Application Committee at [email protected].
Stacy McClendon
Director, Dharma Relief 2
(612) 207-4854
