Join the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center in partnership with Red Sand Project on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10 at 1165 Angelina St. for events related to We Ride for Her a documentary about The Medicine Wheel Riders, a group of Indigenous women motorcyclists who ride to raise awareness for the nationwide crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIW/R).
On Saturday, March 9 at 4:30 p.m., the team behind We Ride For Her has organized a Red Dress Exhibition, featuring empty red dresses hanging through the lobby of the Carver Museum as a visual representation of the spirits of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2Spirit individuals, inspired by the work of Métis artist Jaime Black. The Red Dress Exhibition will be on display from March 9 through April 6, 2024 at the Carver Museum,
On Sunday, March 10 at 3 p.m., following the film’s premiere at the 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival, Level Forward will present a conversation at the Carver Museum, ignited by the topics and themes of We Ride For Her. This event will excavate and amplify the roots of Black, Brown, and Indigenous solidarity as well as uplift the community ownership model deployed by We Ride For Her, centering equity, transparency, and wealth sharing.
We Ride For Her was conceived with the aim of inciting hope and catalyzing tangible change. The producers closely attended to communities’ lived experiences, foregrounding the agency and healing of the film’s protagonists in a trauma-informed approach to filmmaking. This included the use of rigorous informed consent processes, consultation with Indigenous trauma counselors on best practices, and an aftercare protocol emphasizing support and resources for survivors.
In alignment with the film’s aim to seed transformative change, the team behind We Ride For Her has also implemented a community ownership model, ensuring that those affected by the crisis hold a primary role in guiding the film’s direction and impact. The film is collectively owned by 19 community stakeholder partners, including organizations dedicated to advocacy around MMIW/R; supporting survivors of sexual violence; empowering Indigenous youth; and directly serving the needs of Indigenous communities.
The structure of this ownership model provides that profits are to be equally shared by the filmmakers and the film's Indigenous community stakeholders; neither Red Sand Project nor Level Forward will receive any profits from the film’s distribution, and all individuals involved in the process have been ensured access to the footage for use for their own not-for-profit purposes. The We Ride For Her team has developed legal templates based on this community ownership model, and has made them publicly accessible as free resources for film funders and non-profit organizations interested in applying this framework to support filmmakers and community stakeholders in future projects.
Earlier this year, the We Ride For Her team accompanied the Medicine Wheel Riders on their annual journey, stopping at locations in Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota, where they joined with the film’s community stakeholders to discuss the film, reflect upon this crisis, support local actions, and create space for community-building, healing, and dialogue.
Through and after the film’s world premiere at SXSW, the We Ride For Her team continues to amplify local and national efforts towards addressing the MMIW/R crisis. For more information on how to get involved, visit werideforher.com/reflect-
About Red Sand Project
This film was conceptualized, supported, and produced by Red Sand Project, a participatory artwork raising awareness about human trafficking. Since its inception in 2014, Red Sand Project has been committed to telling the stories of those who have been trafficked, exploited, or made vulnerable. Red Sand Project has developed deep partnerships with organizations working to advocate for survivors, provide relief and support, and foster community.
Red Sand Project is focused on removing the onus and responsibility of awareness-raising away from survivors of human trafficking and towards communities and allies. This commitment to not retraumatizing those who have lived through violence and trauma—in the name of raising awareness—informs everything that Red Sand Project does, including this film. We believe that those who are closest to the issue—who are most impacted—should be those who set the agenda and create solutions. This is why we ensured that our filmmaking team is composed of Native people, families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and people, survivors of trafficking, and people of color.
About Level Forward
LEVEL FORWARD is a story-driven / impact-minded, Oscar, Emmy, and Tony nominated film, theater, and television mini-studio comprised of storytellers, entrepreneurs, and social change-makers. On project and systems levels, Level Forward strives to balance artistic vision, public good, and stakeholder return.
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
We Ride for Her Events at the Carver Museum: March 9, March 10
Thursday, February 22, 2024
City Announces Request for Qualifications for Central Austin Multifamily Housing Development Opportunity
The Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) released a competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify a preferred development partner to develop, own, and operate a proposed approximately 300-unit multifamily apartment at 6909 Ryan Drive, a 5.5-acre AHFC-owned property located in the Crestview neighborhood of central Austin.
Supporting documentation is available on the RFP web page.
AHFC conducted public engagement between October and December 2023 to identify community priorities and sentiments, building upon the significant community engagement work done for Austin Energy’s prior solicitation. Through this process, it was determined that the community remained committed to prioritizing affordable housing, park space, and connectivity to transit.
Complete responses must be submitted to the AHFC by 11:59 p.m. CST on March 20, 2024, to be considered for award. Submission instructions are included within the RFQ—available on the RFP web page.
Questions regarding this Request for Qualifications may be directed to the RFQ’s Authorized Contacts:
Sarah Ramos
Procurement Specialist
Sarah.Ramos@AustinTexas.gov
Alex Radtke
Housing Development Manager
Alex.Radtke@AustinTexas.gov
Persons desiring further information or interpretation of the RFQ requirements must make a written request for such information to AHFC no later than ten working days before the RFQ submittal due date (March 6th). Changes to the RFQ documents will be made by addendum only. Questions and Answers that are significant will be provided as a Clarification Document(s).
Office of Police Oversight Hosts Working Group Meeting, February 22, 2024
Community members' input requested for Police Oversight Implementation Working Group meetings
OPO invites community members to attend this meeting to offer input on future meetings as well as receive the most recent complaints data from OPO.
The meeting is open to the public and will be hosted at the Asian American Resource Center (8401 Cameron Rd).
Registration information:Register to participate here.
Accessibility and Accommodation Information:
The event will be presented in both English and Spanish, as well as American Sign Language (ASL). Additional interpretation services and accessibility accommodations are available upon request.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email OPO.Outreach@AustinTexas.gov or call (512) 974-9090.
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La Oficina de Fiscalización de la Policía (OPO, por sus siglas en inglés) realizará la segunda reunión trimestral del Grupo de Trabajo de Implementación de Fiscalización de la Policía el 22 de febrero de 2024 de 6:30 p.m. a 7:30 p.m.
La OPO invita a los miembros de la comunidad a asistir a esta reunión para ofrecer sus comentarios sobre futuras reuniones, así como para recibir los datos más recientes de quejas de la OPO.
La reunión está abierta al público y se realizará en el Centro de Recursos Asiáticoamericanos (8401 Cameron Rd).
Información sobre la inscripción:
Inscríbase para participar aquí.
Información sobre accesibilidad y adaptaciones:
El evento será presentado en inglés y en español, así como en lengua de señas americana (ASL). Se ofrecerán servicios de interpretación y adaptaciones de accesibilidad adicionales a solicitud.
Si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud, por favor escríbanos a OPO.Outreach@AustinTexas.gov o llámenos al (512) 974-9090.
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
City of Austin Releases Draft South Central Waterfront Regulations, Seeks Public Comments
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The City of Austin has released draft regulations for the South Central Waterfront Combining District & Density Bonus Program. The proposal is open for public comment until March 20, and residents can learn more at three upcoming community meetings. Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 20, the City’s Planning Department is asking community members to review the draft document and contribute their thoughts and questions online at SpeakUpAustin.org/ “The South Central Waterfront District represents a unique chance to build a destination in Central Austin that reflects the community at its best,” said Lauren Middleton-Pratt, director of the Planning Department. “It will tie into the city’s culture, with connections to Lady Bird Lake and the Hike-and-Bike Trail, views of Downtown, and proximity to South Congress and Auditorium Shores.” A combining district groups together multiple parcels, allowing them to benefit from development regulations different from the base zoning code in the area. A density bonus program incentivizes development outcomes beneficial to the community in exchange for allowing developers added density. The roughly triangle-shaped, 118-acre South Central Waterfront District is generally bounded by Lady Bird Lake on the north, South 1st Street on the west, and East Bouldin Creek and East Riverside Drive on the south. The release of the draft Combining District & Density Bonus Program responds to City Council Resolution 20220915-090, which directed staff to create regulations supporting implementation of the South Central Waterfront Vision Framework Plan. The intent of the Vision Framework Plan, developed between 2012 and 2016 with the participation of stakeholders and hundreds of Austinites, is to leverage coming development through a districtwide approach in order to:
Further, Council’s 2022 resolution requested regulations that create a connected, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use district where “thousands more Austinites can live, work, and play.” City staff members will share the ideas behind the new Combining District & Density Bonus Program at three public meetings. [See below for times and locations.] Community members, whether they live near the District or not, can learn more about the draft regulations, share their opinions, take a survey, and ask questions online at: SpeakUpAustin.org/ Meeting 1 — Online
For more information contact Caleb Pritchard, Public Information Specialist Senior, City of Austin Planning Department ### |
02-22-0224: Barton Springs Bath House Rehabilitation Project
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Saturday, February 17, 2024
City of Austin Activates Cold Weather Shelters on Saturday, Feb. 17
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AUSTIN, Texas - The City of Austin is opening overnight cold weather shelters on Saturday, Feb. 17. Registration for shelter will occur between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road, which will act as the central embarkation point for individuals seeking an overnight shelter. The City shared its plans to community partners who work directly with Austin’s unsheltered population and texted information directly to unsheltered individuals who are registered with the City’s recently launched text alert system. The Homeless Strategy Office determines when to activate cold weather shelters no later than 9 a.m. each day using National Weather Service (NWS) projections for the Camp Mabry Location. These projections may be accessed via the NWS website and entering the 78703 zip: How to Access a Cold Weather Shelter Registration for shelter occurs between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road. Bus routes to OTC are lines: 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105, 142, 801. Anyone seeking a cold weather shelter and does not have the means to pay the fare will still be given a ride. CapMetro partners with the City to transport individuals from OTC to a shelter location. While Cold Weather Shelters are primarily accessed by people experiencing homelessness, they are available to anyone needing a warm place to spend the night. Individuals can get information about access and activation by calling the Cold Weather Shelter Hotline - 512-972-5055. Guidance for Cold Weather Shelter guests is available here. Since shelters are largely used by individuals experiencing homelessness, the City does not list the locations for a variety of reasons, including managing capacity limits and privacy concerns. However, the City is publicizing the location of the embarkation point, which is the OTC at 505 Barton Springs Road. Residents are encouraged to follow austintexas.gov/alerts |
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Austin City Council Passes Resolution to Support and Sustain Live Music Events
Today, the Austin City Council unanimously passed a resolution directing city staff to solidify an equitable co-sponsorship process and investigate opportunities to support and sustain live music community events. Recognizing the integral role of such events in Austin's cultural identity and economic vitality, the resolution underscores the city's commitment to maintaining its memorable music scene.
The resolution, which builds upon Austin's reputation as the 'Live Music Capital of the World,' emphasizes the importance of diverse, open-to-the-public community events. It acknowledges the challenges faced by event organizers and stakeholders while emphasizing the significance of collaboration across all parties in the live music ecosystem.
After the resolution passed, one of the sponsors, Council Member Harper-Madison, emphasized, “This is not the finish line by any means, this is just the beginning, and we look forward to continuing conversations across our music and arts space. Our vision is that the future generations of Austinites will get to experience live music events and traditions that are the fabric of our 'uniquely Austin' quality of life.”
This resolution reaffirms the City of Austin's commitment to fostering a thriving and inclusive live music ecosystem that benefits residents, visitors, and local businesses alike.
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