Treehouse Shakers’ Statement of Support & Solidarity
Written, June 2, 2020

Treehouse Shakers cannot remain silent in the face of racism. This past week, cities across the United States have erupted in protests and marches over the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis. America is in an ongoing state of emergency of systemic and brutal racism. As artists, educators and community creators, we stand together to denounce racism, oppression and racist law enforcement. We also believe that our children, who are intuitive, aware, and whole individuals, must be included in the conversation to dismantle racial injustice, hate, and inequality, so that we can truly have an America that supports all children, no matter the color of their skin.

Art is a powerful tool for change. We, as artists, remain committed to being a part of the change. Our belief that the arts, particularly performance, can be a mighty development mechanism for the young and can lead to overall social change. We are recommitting ourselves as an organization to education, dismantling racist systems, denouncing racism and to being a part of the larger solution. We are an arts company with a diverse artistic ensemble, who serves a diverse audience, and has a diverse board, and yet, we can always do more. We must and can do more. We are committed to being actively anti-racist in all aspects of our work and to make our organization diverse and ever-evolving to be truly reflective of the young people and families we are committed to serving.

Sending our heartfelt love and compassion to the families who have been affected by the brutality of racism. To the family of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the countless others who have lost their lives, we stand with you.

Sincerely,
Treehouse Shakers’ Co-Founders, Mara McEwin (Artistic director)
& Emily Bunning (Artistic Coordinator

List of Resources:

The Following Are A List of Resources Treehouse Shakers’ has shared with parents to discuss racism and the history of Black America. This is not a complete list, and we are working on a google doc with a more informative resource guide. For more resources for parents and educators please check out our Anti-Racism Google Doc, which is updated on a regular basis.

Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson
Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales (Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner) by Virginia Hamilton
An ABC of Equality (Board Book) by Chana Ginelle Ewing
What Every Child Should Know by Lark Sontag
A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory

For Middle & Teen Readers
Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness by Anastasia Higginbotham
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

Follow the You-Tube Channel
Sankofa Read Aloud

Black Early Childhood educators and organizations that
are of great resource and leadership:

Lark Sontag from Will Start Small

Dr. Denisha Jones, Co-Director of Defending the Early Years

Salandra Grice, Author and Founder of Conscious Education Consulting

Over the years we have created our ongoing company strategic plan with actionable items to not only help serve our communities better, but to confront issues of unjust racism that is prevalent within our theatrical field, as well as in our own board leadership positions. We are in the process of re-evaluating and addressing these action items and will post these actionable steps.

*This is a living document and will be updated regularly.