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NCHS S.T.A.R. Award at Annual NCHS Recognition Assembly 2023
Stand Together Against Racism
(S.T.A.R.)
ㅡ
Board of Directors
Fatou Niang, Chair
Susan Borst, Vice Chair
Mike Rodgers, Treasurer
Karima Bryant
Christa Carr
Afsaneh Djabbari-Aslani
Dao Engle
Nancy Geary
Bob Lord
Alyssa MacKenzie
Michael Rodgers
Alan Rwambuya
Myrlove Stanfield
Michael Turpin
Operating Board
Christa Carr
Gabriela Deambrosio
Jasper Engle
Janet Fonss
Shona Goldenberg
Olive Goldenberg
Freya Goldenberg
Thea Haley
Jane Himmel
Nancy Huan
Katrina Kaupp
Tess MacKenzie
Elijah Manning
Shandia Mitchell
Mary Ntiri
Lauren Nussbaum
Avery Russey
Sophia Rwambuya
Amy Silberfein
Bryant Soohoo
Annette Terry
P.O. Box 1175, New Canaan
S.T.A.R. and New Canaanite Partner to Celebrate Black History Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2022
Contact Information: Jane Himmel info@STAR-CT.org
S.T.A.R. and NewCanaanite Partner to Celebrate Black History Month
(New Canaan, CT) – January 26, 2022. Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R) is honored to partner with the New Canaanite in celebrating Black History Month beginning February 1, 2022.
As Black History Month kicks off on Tuesday, February 1, S.T.A.R. and local news site NewCanaanite.com are partnering to bring readers daily profiles of prominent Black leaders, past and present. S.T.A.R.’s website and social media feeds and the NewCanaanite’s website will spotlight Black public figures who have made an impact on the world across several fields, shattering barriers and paving the way for future generations. Profiles will include Aretha Franklin, Alek Wek, Carter G. Woodson, Jesse E. Moorland, Kamala Harris, Frederick Douglass, Simone Biles, Alvin Ailey, Serena Williams, Malcom X, Robert Abbott, and John Lewis, among others.
“Black history is American history,” said Fatou Niang, S.T.A.R.’s founder, “This annual celebration of achievements by Black Americans is a time for recognition of the importance of their participation in the past, present and future of our country.”
NewCanaanite.com Editor Michael Dinan added, “We are honored to be part of S.T.A.R.’s celebration and look forward to spotlighting each of these prominent Black leaders throughout February.”
Featured profiles will run daily from February 1 through March 1 on both S.T.A.R. social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and in the New Canaanite newsletter.
Website for more information: STAR-CT.ORG
About Stand Together Against Racism:
Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R) is an anti-racist non-profit organization whose mission is to is to equip residents of New Canaan, CT and neighboring communities with tools and resources to understand systemic racism—including its history, root causes and the structures that perpetuate it— and to proactively advocate for racial equity and bias elimination. We believe that by working together, we can drive transformative and sustainable social change in our community and beyond.
About NewCanaanite.com
Launched in 2014 by Michael Dinan, the New Canaanite is a news site covering quality-of-life matters in town, such as local businesses, parks, pets, public safety, government, resident profiles, local history and parking.
S.T.A.R. Local Partners
A Better Chance, Inc. of New Canaan | B Kind | The Glass House | Grace Farms Foundation | Horizons at New Canaan Country School | Interfaith Council of New Canaan | LiveGirl | NCTV New Canaan Television 79 | New Canaan CARES | New Canaan Chamber of Commerce | New Canaan Community Foundation | New Canaan Country School | New Canaan Land Trust | New Canaan Library | New Canaan Moms Group | New Canaan Museum & Historical Society | New Canaan Nature Center | New Canaan Tourism and Economic Development Advisory Committee | New Canaan YMCA | Summer Theatre of New Canaan
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Stand Together Against Racism
(S.T.A.R.)
ㅡ
Board of Directors
Fatou Niang, Chair
Susan Borst, Vice Chair
Mike Rodgers, Treasurer
Karima Bryant
Christa Carr
Afsaneh Djabbari-Aslani
Dao Engle
Nancy Geary
Bob Lord
Alyssa MacKenzie
Michael Rodgers
Alan Rwambuya
Myrlove Stanfield
Michael Turpin
Operating Board
Christa Carr
Gabriela Deambrosio
Jasper Engle
Janet Fonss
Shona Goldenberg
Olive Goldenberg
Freya Goldenberg
Thea Haley
Jane Himmel
Nancy Huan
Katrina Kaupp
Tess MacKenzie
Elijah Manning
Shandia Mitchell
Mary Ntiri
Lauren Nussbaum
Avery Russey
Sophia Rwambuya
Amy Silberfein
Bryant Soohoo
Annette Terry
P.O. Box 1175, New Canaan
For Immediate Release – June 2023
Contact: Jane Himmel, info@star-ct.org or at 203-253-0614
2023 S.T.A.R. Award at Annual NCHS Recognition Assembly
The first “The Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R.) Award” was presented to a New Canaan High School senior in 2022. This year's recipient is Senior Charlie Besgen Who is heading to R.I.T. (Rochester Institute of Technology) for college. Charlie Besgen stands out as an empathetic peer who creates community wherever he goes. He is an advocate for himself and others, someone who always seeks to create a safe environment for his peers. And yet he isn't afraid to call attention to how he and his peers might experience the classroom differently and create space for conversation.
As noted in the ceremony: “The Stand Together Against Racism Award honors a New Canaan High School student who has actively worked to ensure an inclusive environment both in and out of the classroom. This student will have been an advocate for themselves or fellow students. The student will have been a leading voice in promoting respect, acceptance, and a community of belonging as it relates to such issues as race / ethnicity, LGBTQIA+ rights, and access for people with disabilities. In this way, the award seeks to uphold and affirm the dignity, authenticity, and inherent worth of all who enter these doors to study, learn, live, and grow together.”
Pictured here (l-r) are: S.T.A.R. Founder and Board Chair Fatou Niang, award winner Charlie Besgen and S.T.A.R. Operating Board member Jane Himmel.
Photo attached
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About Stand Together Against Racism:
Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R) is an anti-racist non-profit organization whose mission is to is to equip residents of New Canaan, CT and neighboring communities with tools and resources to understand systemic racism—including its history, root causes and the structures that perpetuate it— and to proactively advocate for racial equity and bias elimination. We believe that by working together, we can drive transformative and sustainable social change in our community and beyond.
S.T.A.R. Local Partners
A Better Chance, Inc. of New Canaan | B Kind | The Glass House | Grace Farms Foundation | Horizons at New Canaan Country School | Interfaith Council of New Canaan | LiveGirl | NCTV New Canaan Television 79 | New Canaan CARES | New Canaan Chamber of Commerce | New Canaan Community Foundation | New Canaan Country School | New Canaan Land Trust | New Canaan Library | New Canaan Moms Group | New Canaan Museum & Historical Society | New Canaan Nature Center | New Canaan Tourism and Development Advisory Committee | New Canaan YMCA | Summer Theatre of New Canaan
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Stand Together Against Racism
(S.T.A.R.)
ㅡ
Board of Directors
Fatou Niang, Chair
Susan Borst, Vice Chair
Mike Rodgers, Treasurer
Karima Bryant
Christa Carr
Afsaneh Djabbari-Aslani
Dao Engle
Nancy Geary
Bob Lord
Alyssa MacKenzie
Michael Rodgers
Alan Rwambuya
Myrlove Stanfield
Michael Turpin
Operating Board
Christa Carr
Gabriela Deambrosio
Jasper Engle
Janet Fonss
Shona Goldenberg
Olive Goldenberg
Freya Goldenberg
Thea Haley
Jane Himmel
Nancy Huan
Katrina Kaupp
Tess MacKenzie
Elijah Manning
Shandia Mitchell
Mary Ntiri
Lauren Nussbaum
Avery Russey
Sophia Rwambuya
Amy Silberfein
Bryant Soohoo
Annette Terry
P.O. Box 1175, New Canaan
S.T.A.R. responds to racist letter left anonymously on New Canaan doorsteps.
October 18th, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Info@Star-ct.org
Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R.) would like to address a letter that was left on many New Canaan residents’ doorsteps related to the upcoming Board of Education (BOE) election. The letter is racism masquerading as “neighborly concern.”
The letter specifically names Fatou Niang and Janet Fonss, the only two candidates of color on the Democrats’ BOE slate, and highlights both candidates’ connections to S.T.A.R.
“This letter saddens us, but it also offers a valuable lesson: that our work, and that of S.T.A.R.’s many community partners, is as important—perhaps more important—than ever,” said S.T.A.R. Vice Chair Susan Borst. “We will continue to proactively educate about and advocate for racial equity and bias elimination. We will listen, and we will engage in dialogue about difficult issues. What we will not do is remain silent in the face of racism—especially when it is deposited on our doorsteps. The anonymity of the “concerned parents” speaks volumes and reveals the cowardice of the authors.”
We stand by both Fatou and Janet for the work they have been doing for S.T.A.R. As a community, we encourage all to come together and engage in open dialogues.
At S.T.A.R., our mission is to equip residents of New Canaan, CT and neighboring communities with tools and resources to understand systemic racism — including its history, root causes and the structures that perpetuate it— and to proactively advocate for racial equity and bias elimination. We believe that by working together, we can drive transformative and sustainable social change in our community and beyond.
Sincerely,
Stand Together Against Racism’s Board of Directors and Operating Board
About Stand Together Against Racism:
Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R.) is an anti-racist non-profit organization whose mission is to is to equip residents of New Canaan, CT and neighboring communities with tools and resources to understand systemic racism—including its history, root causes and the structures that perpetuate it— and to proactively advocate for racial equity and bias elimination. We believe that by working together, we can drive transformative and sustainable social change in our community and beyond.
S.T.A.R. Local Partners
A Better Chance, Inc. of New Canaan | B Kind | The Glass House | Grace Farms Foundation | Horizons at New Canaan Country School | Interfaith Council of New Canaan | LiveGirl | NCTV New Canaan Television 79 | New Canaan CARES | New Canaan Chamber of Commerce | New Canaan Community Foundation | New Canaan Country School | New Canaan Land Trust | New Canaan Library | New Canaan Moms Group | New Canaan Museum & Historical Society | New Canaan Nature Center | New Canaan Tourism and Economic Development Advisory Committee | New Canaan YMCA | Summer Theatre of New Canaan
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