RACIAL EQUITY STATEMENT 

   

Cultural biases and systemic racism negatively impact youth of color in communities across California. From an early age, girls of color are subjected to negative images/stereotypes which can affect how they are treated in school and other institutions and how they feel about themselves. These harmful public perceptions/narratives can have a destructive impact on girl's self-confidence, self worth, and health. Girls of color need spaces and opportunities to explore their ideas, develop their unique voice, discover their inner beauty, feel their power, dream, and thrive.

 

GETA is committed to countering the damage that girls of color face from systemic racism. GETA is dedicated to creating supportive communities where girls of color can define/express themselves, feel respected/valued, and flourish. Our mission is to support girls to develop the skills they need to challenge and address problems/injustices in their communities and society. We do this by providing youth with a safe/brave space in which they are supported to develop their voice and leadership skills. 

 

GETA creates an environment where all youth feel comfortable and confident being themselves while exploring artistic practices to express their unique voice.

 

GETA establishes respectful, trusting relationships between and among youth and artist-educators of color from local communities.

 

GETA empowers youth of color by fostering imagination, creativity, expression, innovation, self-confidence, and power.

 

GETA works to unlock the creative imagination of youth to help them develop a more powerful, confident sense of self. 

 

GETA is led/staffed by women of color.

 

GETA helps build the capacity of local communities to resist the impacts of systemic racism by increasing the capability of youth of color to be  leaders in their communities.

 

We believe in the power and potential of youth to create solutions to the most pressing challenges in their lives and in society.