Lauren Bean Buitta’s Post

I stand seriously corrected. I didn't understand the power of PSC codes and the focus is on NAICS. Guy Timberlake spent an hour with me and showed me the power of it. I'm annoyed with myself because today I went to sam and looked up opportunities under my PSC and fuck if there's wasn't a shit load that I missed. As well as the different agencies that use my main two. I've been wanting to shift away from the VA for over a year but I've been focused on stabilizing the large contract and also on the wrong agencies Which I knew but I have to look and do research to find out if MASS is a fit. And it hasn't been. I don't mind putting this part out there because a) I don't care. b) There's enough work out here and c) maybe you can look into it yourself. I'm interested in document destruction (shredding) and entering the DoD space. 2 mutually exclusive things. The DoD because there's a heavy barrier to enter. Plus there's not enough black people, especially black women in the space. So it's a "why not" thing. I'm looking at USSOCOM but DoD has 23 different agencies with countless offices. The opportunity is there, I just have to find it. I was also interested in working with ACF but they don't want to work with small businesses. This isn't speculation. I've been told by a KO and if you look at the companies they deal with, they aren't small. Now, well. I have mostly moved on. Eventually mass will get to a place where they'll want to work with us. Anyway, the point of this post is to acknowledge that I am obstinate but not stupid. And I freely admit when I am wrong. I was wrong to dismiss PSC and I am so very grateful for Mr. Timberlake's time. My COO is taking his upcoming boot camp. I'm probably most likely going to join his membership thing.. Eventually, some time by the end of the year, probably. Definitely.

Community organization and community control were the basis of everything the BPP tried to do. In 1969 alone, 28 of its members were killed by the police. The state’s strategy was to push the BPP into an armed confrontation it could not win. Members were jailed, harassed, set up and gunned down. FBI agents, under the COINTELPRO program, were sent in to destabilize the Panthers. In consequence, much of the BPP’s energies were sucked into defense campaigns, and chapters across the US were set against each other. Yet the Panthers’ community-based work remain models of how revolutionary organizations should work with non-revolutionary groups to meet the needs of the communities they are part of. The breakfast for children program involved the BPP working with community volunteers to distribute food to the black community. “Hunger is one of the means of oppression and it must be halted.” The BPP set up liberation schools, teaching everything from basic literacy to black history. “We recognize that education is only relevant when it teaches the art of survival.” #BlackHistory #BlackHistoryMonth Video by: Yours Truly

It's a regrettable step back that the University of Florida has decided to terminate all DEI positions. Our nation is in the throes of intense polarization, we need actions that bridge gaps, not widen them. We see people of color grappling with an unequal playing field when it comes to access to capital, education, and job opportunities. And this incident serves as a stark reminder about the urgency to bolster our community. This situation strongly underscores the obligation we have to fortify our community by rallying behind our local Black-Owned companies. The moment has arrived for us to pool our resources into our people, our communities and our businesses. At SoFlo Black Pages, we firmly believe in educating and sharing data-driven content that propels our community forward. It's time we take control of our narratives and fuel our own community and businesses with well-deserved resources and support. It’s more than just information, it’s about concrete steps and workable strategies to grow. #supportdei #supportdiversityequityandinclusion #blackowned #blackownedbusinesses #supportblackbusinesses #supportourcommunity #sofloblackpages #shopblackownedbusinesses https://digiedg.com/37mvs

In advance of Independence Day 🇺🇸, and in his new op-ed for DefenseScoop, CSET Senior Fellow Jaret C. Riddick, PhD, writes about the importance and strategic advantage of America's diversity. He argues that the country's diversity is a national security asset, and the untapped talent from populations typically underrepresented in technical fields is valuable and should not go unnoticed. We invite you to read his full op-ed, right here: https://lnkd.in/ejTDqArF

I genuinely value the dialogue as it paves the way for accountability and transparency. From a social work perspective, addressing gun violence in communities of color requires a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond technological solutions and delves into the underlying social, economic, and systemic factors contributing to violence. There's ongoing debate surrounding the renewal of contracts for ShotSpotter technology, with concerns about its reliability, scientific validity, and potential for over-policing. Critics argue that relying solely on technology may perpetuate existing biases in law enforcement, leading to the targeting of specific communities and contributing to mass incarceration. However, it's essential to acknowledge that gun violence and disproportionate incarceration rates for Black and Brown individuals existed long before the introduction of ShotSpotter technology. While technology can play a role in violence prevention, it's imperative to engage the community, collaborate with stakeholders, and involve law enforcement in a transparent and accountable manner. This approach ensures that community voices are heard, concerns are addressed, and solutions are tailored to meet the needs of those most affected by violence. Moreover, fostering awareness about the complexities of gun violence, the limitations of technological solutions, and the importance of data analysis from third-party sources is crucial in shaping effective interventions. By adopting a multidisciplinary approach that integrates community input, expert insights, and evidence-based practices, we can develop sustainable strategies to create safer environments for children and families. While the video presentation highlighted both strengths and weaknesses of current approaches to gun violence prevention, it also underscored the need for ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and innovation to drive meaningful change. By fostering open discussions and prioritizing community-driven solutions, we can work towards building safer and more resilient communities for all.

2023 has been another deeply challenging year globally, nationally, and in our home city of Chicago. We know that most Americans – in blue and red states alike – are worried about crime and violence, even as homicide rates improved in most cities.    And while murders are down from historic highs in 2020 and 2021, we are still not achieving fair and equitable community safety for all. For city residents, safety in America is still very much a tale of two – or more – cities. For example, in 2022, the homicide rate in Chicago (one of the most segregated cities in the country) was 20 times higher for Black residents than it was for white residents.    Our goal at the Crime Lab is to fix this.    Read more about how we are addressing these challenges in our end-of-year newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gnc2rsab   Join our mailing list to receive future newsletters: https://lnkd.in/gtnPS4BP

Happy Pride! ❓"What do the flags mean?" ❓"Why does the flag keep changing?" ❓"Why are there so many different flags?" ❓"Why a rainbow?" ❓"Why does my coworker have to have a big flag in their office?" ❓"Why do they have to broadcast with a flag? Straight people don't do that..." We hear questions about the use of Pride flags all the time. Some of those questions are genuine and intended for understanding.😃 Others, not so much...😕 In this age of information access, raising awareness isn't difficult. A simple "Google" search can answer many of these questions. Regardless, we love discovering and sharing reliable resources that promote awareness and understanding for people that genuinely want to provide allied support or develop cultural proficiency. So for pride month, we'll be sharing some our favorites! Check out this Pride Flag Guide from the University of Colorado Bolder's Center for Inclusion and Social Change: https://lnkd.in/gdR4HGbM Here's another from the Bradbury Sullivan Center in Pennsylvania: https://lnkd.in/ej4JwKED What are some of your favorite resources that promote pride awareness? 😀

Under our 'Building Anti-Racism & Trauma-Informed Practices' project we collaborated with community organizations to enhance their knowledge and capacity to respond to the needs of Black and racialized survivors of gender-based violence by offering culturally safe frontline services. Through our collaborative efforts, we've embarked on a comprehensive Needs Assessment, delving deep into crucial areas that are pivotal for fostering inclusive and supportive environments. https://ow.ly/lHGi50QOUBN