Garden Spices Magazine, January 4, 2020 Project Say Something: Educating Allies “As an ally engaged in advocacy work centered around racial justice with Project Say Something, it is important to me that I not only provide a safe space to explore racial injustice, it is critical that I challenge white supremacist viewpoints and assumptions. I’veRead more about Educating Allies[…]
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Communicate
To foster awareness and dialogue about racism throughout our community. Programs include participatory community events and discussions; educational and therapeutic workshops featuring nonviolent communication strategies; and an array of coordinating educational resources, including literary (“Project Read Something”), historical (“History & Race in Florence”), and digital (“Video”) resources that are available on our website. We also facilitate difficult but healing community conversations through initiatives such as our "Whose Monument?" Campaign.
Educate
To empower one another to recognize racism and its impact; to exchange useful anti-racist strategies and promote open communication in our daily lives; to address Black history and systemic racism in our municipal and educational systems; and to create space for inclusivity through initiatives such as our Shoals Black History Project. We offer racial justice materials and workshops to all members of the community as well as schools and other organizations. We also offer an afterschool and summer program for youth with a focus on inclusion and cultural awareness. Contact us to schedule a workshop or for more information.
Advocate
To give Black residents a stronger voice in our community by cultivating a passion for civic engagement and grassroots leadership. Our initiatives work to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. We work closely with community members, partner organizations, municipal representatives, and the University of North Alabama to advocate for a greater presence for Black history and racial justice in our city.
Our Board
Camille Bennett
Founder/Executive Director
Camille Bennett founded Project Say Something in 2014 and continues to serve as its Director. Her work focuses on healing, nonviolent communication and direct action against racism and poverty. She has been the Pastor/Chief Minister of Living Spirit Church: Centering on Spiritual Oneness since 2012. Camille is also the Executive Director of Focus-Scope Enrichment Center, Living Spirit’s Child Enrichment Center, and the Compass after school and vacation program for children. All programs focus on holistic child development and diversity. Camille actively serves her community as a board member, on committees, or as a volunteer for the following organizations: CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates, Safer Birth in Bama, The WC Handy Festival, and Shoals Pridefest.
Katie Owens-Murphy
President
Katie Owens-Murphy is Associate Professor of English at the University of North Alabama. Her teaching and research interests include U.S. prison literature and mass incarceration. She has helped to develop and implement programs at correctional facilities as well as programs in the community that assist the formerly incarcerated. Katie is also trained in Critical Participatory Action Research and looks forward to furthering PSS’s collaborative work with the community of Florence, Alabama around the topics of Black history, memory, and racial justice.
Taurus Bennett
Vice President
Taurus Bennett serves as Grant writer and grant administrator for Project Say Something. Taurus Bennett successfully worked in finance and owned a small local business for 15 years, he has since transitioned into his passions: non-profit management, grant writing and social justice. Taurus has a Master’s degree in Grant Writing Management Measurement Analysis. Taurus is co-owner or Focus-Scope Child Development and also actively serves his community through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program and as a CASA Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in the foster care system.
Alicia Kelly
Secretary
Alicia Kelly is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked in the mental health field since 2000. In 2011, she opened Kelly Counseling and Associates and Mosaic: A Wellness Place in the Shoals community. Alicia is passionate about removing stigma and barriers that prevent people from having access to quality mental health services.
Vicki Goldston
Vicki Goldston is the co-founder and Pastor Emeritus of Living Spirit Church and serves as an inspirational speaker. She is President of Camp Goldston Publishing, LLC, and the Founder of Garden Spices Magazine, which embraces the gift of diversity.
Andy Frith
Born and raised in the Shoals, Andy received a degree in History from UNA. He is the chair of the Florence Lauderdale Public Library Board as well the chair of Arts Alive. He is active with the Shoals Soup Kitchen and is interested in politics and social justice.
Brian Murphy
Brian Murphy works as a curator for the City of Florence Museums and serves as the chairman of the Florence Historical Board. He is the co-author of a book about the Shoals area and published a book chapter on PSS's Whose Monument Project. He has written several National Register of Historic Places nominations and helped to implement the Shoals Black History project.
Kijana Mitchell
Kijana is a victim's advocate for a non-profit agency. She possesses a B.S. in Political Science from the University of North Alabama and is currently pursuing her master's degree in Criminal Justice. During her undergraduate career, she was the recipient of several awards including the President's Diversity award and played an integral role in reintroducing a black history studies course as an option at UNA. She's heavily involved in the Shoals community and partners with numerous organizations to promote diversity and inclusion, increase political efficacy and civic engagement, and create safe spaces for progressive conversation. Her passions and areas of research include prisoner reentry, ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), and social justice education.
Christi Britten
Christi Britten is a community-engaged artist and photographer. She is an arts program coordinator and exhibition curator for the City of Florence Arts and Museums. She is a graduate student at Goddard College where she is studying cultural studies and social practice. Her four kids keep her drive for peacekeeping and social change alive. She has a B.S. in Communications from UNA and is director of the Shoals Storytelling Festival.
Kerrigan Casey
Kerrigan Casey is a flourishing artist born and raised in Florence, Alabama. She met her interest over ten years ago, sharing her talents performing spoken word poetry and sharing her artwork at Florence’s annual “Arts Alive” festival. She actively participates in the Shoals’ “Urban Art Expo.” Kerrigan serves her community through art, volunteering with local nonprofits and schools to share her passion with youth. She has also used her art to work toward voter registration efforts in her community.
Latest news
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May, 6
COVID-19 and Race: A Brief Overview
COVID-19 and Race: A Brief Overview by Hannah Wood Black people make up 14% of the U.S. population and 40% of U.S. COVID-19 related deaths. In Alabama, 44.4% of COVID-19 related deaths have been Black fatalities, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Data and Surveillance Dashboard. On April 10th, Surgeon General Jerome AdamsRead more about COVID-19 and Race: A Brief Overview[…]
Read more COVID-19 and Race: A Brief Overview -
Jan, 20
Plantation Christmas?
Check out this article that cites Project Say Something in this very important conversation about how to remember the past: https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/12/plantation-christmas-celebrations-canceled-slavery.html And read our open letter to Belle Mont Mansion in response to their Plantation Christmas celebration: An Open Letter to Belle Mont Mansion
Read more Plantation Christmas?Sep, 12
Confederate Monument Campaign
In response to the many lynchings of Black people and injustices taking place throughout the USA in 2020, Project Say Something launches a campaign to remove the Confederate Monument, Not My Monument, June 6. 2020 #BlackLivesMatter #nojusticenopeace “Time’s up!” Project Say Something is launching a campaign that seeks to contextualize the Confederate monument that standsRead more about Confederate Monument Campaign[…]
Read more Confederate Monument Campaign -
Jun, 2
Florence African-American Heritage Project
UPDATE The Florence African American Heritage Project launched its website February 24, 2018 at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library. The Project site is now available for active browsing: http://shoalsblackhistory.omeka.net/ Project Say Something is partnering with the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library to launch the Florence African-American Heritage Project! The project is made possible by a grant from theRead more about Florence African-American Heritage Project[…]
Read more Florence African-American Heritage ProjectApr, 6
West Florence Urban Renewal
WEST FLORENCE URBAN RENEWAL The top picture was taken looking west on what is now Beale Street in West Florence, most likely in before 1950. The photo below is taken from a similar vantage point, likely in the early 1960s. The Florence Housing Authority received money to buy land in this area, clear theRead more about West Florence Urban Renewal[…]
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Nov, 16
Think Tank: 21st Century Policing
Think Tank: 21st Century Policing October 27, 2016 @ Handy Recreation Center Times Daily coverage: http://www.timesdaily.com/news/local/the-past-shades-the-present/article_86e8a3c2-da0f-51d8-a0ac-24d84b1060be
Read more Think Tank: 21st Century PolicingJul, 12
Let’s Talk Honestly About Justice, July 12
Follow-up on Panel Discussion on Justice: Citizen Joan Williams asked if there was a survey available to the community to assess the performance of the Florence Police Department. Upon inquiry, PSS found that the survey for 2016 was circulated from January to March, is annual, and unavailable until next year. Officer Patterson assured that theRead more about Let’s Talk Honestly About Justice, July 12[…]
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Jul, 4
Candlelight Vigil for Racial Justice
In light of recent events in the Florence community, and in celebration of our country’s founding values, Project Say Something will host a Candlelight Vigil for Racial Justice at the steps of the Lauderdale County Courthouse on Thursday, July 7 at 6:30 pm. The Vigil seeks to draw attention to racial disparities in the justiceRead more about Candlelight Vigil for Racial Justice[…]
Read more Candlelight Vigil for Racial JusticeJun, 9
Compass Child Enrichment Underway!
Compass Child Enrichment Program has launched its Summer Day Camp and things are popping! Nicole West and Ana Carter-Peeples are introducing children to various activities and learning experiences: gardening and composting, yoga, art projects, music appreciation, and global cultural awareness, including Spanish and Swahili lessons. Compass is an enrichment-based programming model that can be adopted by schools, daycareRead more about Compass Child Enrichment Underway![…]
Read more Compass Child Enrichment Underway!