D E C E M B E R ' 2 1
S O N O M A M E D I A I N V E S T M E N T S
As 2021 comes to a close, I would like to thank the members of the Diversity & Inclusion committee for their hard work and dedication. Because of their efforts, we have made tremendous change in our organization. This includes the creation and publishing of the SMI Diversity & Inclusion statement (including a print and digital ad campaign), completion of management interviews to better understand our development practices, all staff D&I training, Spanish language training, newsroom specific D&I training, review of La Prensa, creation of a master list of freelancers, identification of minority leaders in Sonoma County, Black History Month spotlight and much more. I am looking forward to what this team will be doing in 2022. Thank you again. Sincerely,
Steve CEO
The Kwanzaa holiday was created by Dr.Karenga, a professor from CSU Long Beach in 1966 searching for a way to bring African Americans together after the Watts Riots. The holiday is celebrated in the US from December 26th through January 1st. Kwanzaa’s name derives from the harvest festival known as “Matunda ya Kwanza”, meaning, “first fruits” in Swahili. Each of the seven nights start with a candle lighting on the Kinara (candleholder), followed by a discussion of one of the holiday’s seven principles (Nguzo Saba). These principles are reflective of African culture and contribute to building community, they are represented by the Kinara and six other symbols placed on the traditional mat, or Mkeka. While each family celebrates in their own way, traditional activities include song and dance, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large feast held on December 31st. On the seventh day, meaningful Zawadi (gifts) are exchanged by family members to encourage growth, self-determination, achievement and success. Accepting these gifts creates a moral obligation to achieve the promise made for each one. Additional INFO
LGBTQI+ DEFINATIONS
Cisgender - denoting or relating to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds with their birth sex. For example, a male who is cisgender will identify as a man, and a female who is cisgender will identify as a woman.
Transgender - Transgender people have a gender identity or gender expression that differs from the sex that they were assigned at birth. Some transgender people who desire medical assistance to transition from one sex to another identify as transsexual. Transgender, often shortened as trans, is also an umbrella term; in addition to including people whose gender identity is the opposite of their assigned sex (trans men and trans women), it may also include people who are non-binary or genderqueer.
The primary duty of a media company, at its core, is to seek out and tell the truth through its
journalism. At the same time, we must maintain a company culture that is inclusive and free of discrimination of any kind.
We at Sonoma Media Investments, LLC, acknowledge the difficult truth that over the course of our long history, we have not always been consistent or effective in fulfilling another duty, to protect and defend those who are trivialized, disregarded, sidelined or treated unfairly in our community, and within our own company.
We at SMI are committed to creating and maintaining a company culture that is actively antiracist and scrupulously inclusive within our company’s work environment, and in how we report on and engage with the community we serve, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, national origin, faith, age, ability or size. We pledge to promote equality and humane treatment of others, and to oppose prejudice, indifference, sexism, intolerance and hate. This we will do through our hiring, promotion and retention practices, through our advertising programs and customer service, and through our news coverage and community engagement.
Please feel free to submit questions, comments or feedback to any member of the D&I team.
We Need You
The Diversity & Inclusion Committee is always looking for members. There are six subcommittees that could use your skills and talents.
Black Exploitation Awareness; HR; Newsroom; Public Outreach and LGBTQI+. If you would like to be a part of this proactive, dedicated and committed team, making a difference in our organization and community, please reach out to a subcommittee team lead or Emily DeBacker in HR.
D&I Business Spotlight
This month we are celebrating local
LGBTQI+ owned businesses.
Brew Coffee and Beer
Great for morning
coffee, breakfast, lunch or afternoon beers.Just a few blocks from the
Cowgirl Creamery
various locations Visit one of their
locations or purchase their items at local
retailers such as Oliver’s Market, Bevmo or Whole Foods.
THE HANUKKAH STORY & CELEBRATION
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a traditional Jewish Holiday celebrated around the world on the 25th of Kislev (a month on the Hebrew Calendar between November and December). This year, the holiday falls on November 28th. The holiday celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after a Syrian King sent his soldiers to desecrate the temple and outlaw Judaism throughout the Empire. A family known as the Maccabees revolted and won against overwhelming odds. The traditional lighting of the Menorah on the 25th day of Kislev and the seven days following, recreates when the victorious Maccabees re-lit their Menorah lamp in the temple with enough oil for only one night. Miraculously, the Menorah remained lit for eight days. Traditionally, Judaic blessings are chanted before and during the lighting of the Menorah. More modern traditions of Hanukkah include playing the game of Dreidel, with the words Nun, Gimel, Hey or Chai, and Shin inscribed on the toy meaning “a great miracle happened there”. Additionally, some families give children chocolate coins (Gelt) and some American families give presents for each day and night of celebration. Additional INFO
D&I Business Spotlight Cont.
Noble Fork
Ice Cream & Pie
Bar - Santa Rosa & Healdsburg
Great local
company to order your holiday
The Dirty Bar - Santa Rosa
Trivia Mondays,
open mic Tuesdays, karaoke
Wednesdays and Pride Thursdays. LINK
THANKSGIVING FROM A NEW PERSPECTIVE
Traditionally, the idea of the Thanksgiving holiday promotes the idea of spending time with loved ones and giving thanks for the bounty we have available at our fingertips. We gather around a table for a feast with friends and family, sharing the things we’re grateful for. However, in traditional schooling, we fail to acknowledge and represent the native voices of our community. Sonoma County being home to Pomo, Wappo, and Miwok people, it’s important to be aware of our Native voices.
The first Thanksgiving is commonly understood as a time of good nature where Pilgrims and “Indians” gathered together to give thanks. However, this was a meeting between the Wampanoag Peoples and the English settlers in 1621 to discus politics, peace, and diplomacy. Sharing their resources with the English, the Wampanoag helped supply the First Thanksgiving and brutal winter to follow, that the English would’ve otherwise not been able to supply a harvest hearty enough. However, the English people still then continued the relentless attacks and push of Native American folks, forcing Wampanoag People out of their lands and further west. Additional INFO
