The Talking Drums Newsletter

11/17/2025

Organizations led by Black Voters Matter are organizing We Ain’t Buying It, an ask for our fellow Americans to hit pause on shopping Target, Amazon and Home Depot November 27-December 1st and to direct their money to local small businesses and mutual aid instead.
Let’s commit to joining them and spreading the word in our networks about this effort. We can find more information about this economic action here: https://weaintbuyingit.com/?utm_source=substack...
Find a toolkit and social media assets we can use here: https://docs.google.com/.../17c4fxc.../edit...
here: https://app.sosha.ai/.../d858673f-98dc-4285-9b43...
and here: https://drive.google.com/.../1H8winFVXWmuHHh552B53DP4j4GP...
and sign up for updates here: https://weaintbuyingit.com/get-involved/...
Let’s also treat this like a protest, brainstorm three people we think might be willing to participate and make the face-to-face ask.

From Rogan’s List
Many of us have long since sworn off enriching key corporate collaborators supporting MAGA and the oligarchy. With the post-Thanksgiving shopping rush coming up, this is a great
time to bring more people into our movement and send a message to corporate America.

Organizations led by Black Voters Matter are organizing We Ain’t Buying It, an ask for our fellow Americans to hit pause on shopping Target, Amazon and Home Depot November 27-December 1st and to direct their money to local small businesses and mutual aid instead.

Let’s commit to joining them and spreading the word in our networks about this effort. We can find more information about this economic action here: https://weaintbuyingit.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Find a toolkit and social media assets we can use here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17c4fxc-qWVYgC8xQ7F0uQtTDdbkoBQK9CBxld_3sGXo/edit?tab=t.0 =h.i4ju97tmfzsx

here: https://app.sosha.ai/toolkit/d858673f-98dc-4285-9b43-176f834c314a?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

and here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1H8winFVXWmuHHh552B53DP4j4GPp4xg1

and sign up for updates here: https://weaintbuyingit.com/get-involved/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Let’s also treat this like a protest, brainstorm three people we think might be willing to participate and make the face-to-face ask.

11/17/2025

Help us raise $60K for victims of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean! 💗
We’re ⅓ of the way to our goal - can you donate to support families without homes, power or basic necessities?
🔗 https://www.codepink.org/melissa2025

Help us raise $60K for victims of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean! 💗

We’re ⅓ of the way to our goal - can you donate to support families without homes, power or basic necessities?

🔗 https://www.codepink.org/melissa2025

11/17/2025

Join me and other individuals/groups for “Fall of Freedom,” an urgent national call for arts organizations to unite in defiance of the authoritarian and white supremacist forces sweeping the nation!
Stories on Stage Sacramento Sacramento Youth Commission Sacramento Observer Mahogany Urban Poetry Series: Feat. NSAA Sac Cultural Hub

11/17/2025

The Henry Robinett Group plays 11/22 at Twin Lotus Thai

Another rare performance from a truly great Sacramento band. Joining us is the inimitable Rick Lotter on drums. He was an original member. Another original member is the manager, the incomparable Joe Gilman, on piano. And of course, the incredible Jacam Manricks on tenor. And the unparalled Ben Kopf brings it home on electric bass. We've asked a few to let us know what you want to hear from our long and old catalogue. We play original music. We had another request for a song we haven't played in many years. AND others we haven't played in years. Two shows - 5 and 7. You can scan the QR Code in the poster or tclick the link below. Make your reservations now! The food's great too. And for those of you who know some of our music I'd love to hear what you'd like to hear! The new old songs we added are NewAge Jam and Laura’s Eyes, by special request!
You can make reservations with this link https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLScsaykjTko01Z.../viewform

11/16/2025

Support the Black Hair and Black Hygiene Project:

Our co-founders of the Black Hair & Black Hygiene Project sincerely thank you for your support. Contributions from community members and organizations in Sacramento have been crucial to the success of the Black Hair & Black Hygiene Project — especially as a resource for the most marginalized communities.

BHBH volunteers will be passing out the personal hygiene items and warm clothing items in November and December 2025

The Black Hair and Black Hygiene Project’s fiscal sponsor is the Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee (SHOC). All financial donations can be sent as checks made out to "SHOC" to
SHOC
PO BOX 952, Sacramento, CA 95814 Please note in the memo section BHBH Project
or they can donate online on our website with the donation button, https://sacshoc.org/ Or go to PayPal and write a note it's for BHBH

For more information, please contact the Community Lead Advocacy Program at clapsac.com or Faye Wilson Kennedy at SacPPC2019@gmail.com.

Thank you, Sacramento, and stay tuned for future collection drives.
Black Hygiene Project Co-Founders, Zuri K Colbert with Nafisah Timmons, Sister Brenda Joyce, Aaliyah Muhmmad, and Faye Wilson Kennedy

11/16/2025

Many of us have long since sworn off enriching key corporate collaborators supporting MAGA and the oligarchy. With the post-Thanksgiving shopping rush coming up, this is a great
time to bring more people into our movement and send a message to corporate America.

Organizations led by Black Voters Matter are organizing We Ain’t Buying It, an ask for our fellow Americans to hit pause on shopping Target, Amazon and Home Depot November 27-December 1st and to direct their money to local small businesses and mutual aid instead.

Let’s commit to joining them and spreading the word in our networks about this effort. We can find more information about this economic action here: https://weaintbuyingit.com/?utm_source=substack...

Find a toolkit and social media assets we can use here: https://docs.google.com/.../17c4fxc.../edit...

here: https://app.sosha.ai/.../d858673f-98dc-4285-9b43...

and here: https://drive.google.com/.../1H8winFVXWmuHHh552B53DP4j4GP...

and sign up for updates here: https://weaintbuyingit.com/get-involved/...

Let’s also treat this like a protest, brainstorm three people we think might be willing to participate and make the face-to-face ask

From Rogan’s List
Many of us have long since sworn off enriching key corporate collaborators supporting MAGA and the oligarchy. With the post-Thanksgiving shopping rush coming up, this is a great
time to bring more people into our movement and send a message to corporate America.

Organizations led by Black Voters Matter are organizing We Ain’t Buying It, an ask for our fellow Americans to hit pause on shopping Target, Amazon and Home Depot November 27-December 1st and to direct their money to local small businesses and mutual aid instead.

Let’s commit to joining them and spreading the word in our networks about this effort. We can find more information about this economic action here: https://weaintbuyingit.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Find a toolkit and social media assets we can use here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17c4fxc-qWVYgC8xQ7F0uQtTDdbkoBQK9CBxld_3sGXo/edit?tab=t.0 =h.i4ju97tmfzsx

here: https://app.sosha.ai/toolkit/d858673f-98dc-4285-9b43-176f834c314a?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

and here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1H8winFVXWmuHHh552B53DP4j4GPp4xg1

and sign up for updates here: https://weaintbuyingit.com/get-involved/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Let’s also treat this like a protest, brainstorm three people we think might be willing to participate and make the face-to-face ask.

11/14/2025

Join Oak Park Homeless Project, Saturday, November 15, from 9-12noon. Thank you!!

11/14/2025

“Fall of Freedom” at the Sacramento Poetry Center (SPC)
1719 25th Street, Sacramento, CA, United States, California
Friday, November 21 @ 7pm-9pm
Saturday, November 22 @ 4-6pm
The Sacramento Raging Grannies (SRG) will be performing Saturday, November 22 !!
“Fall of Freedom” is an urgent national call for arts organizations to unite in defiance of the authoritarian and white supremacist forces sweeping the nation! Save the Date for an Open Mic, Music, and Art Exhibit at SPC, co-sponsored by the Sacramento Poetry Center, Sacramento Poor People’s Campaign, Art of Resistance and Sacramento Poderosas! All for Resistance and Immigrant Rights!

Join me and other individuals/groups for “Fall of Freedom,” an urgent national call for arts organizations to unite in defiance of the authoritarian and white supremacist forces sweeping the nation!
Stories on Stage Sacramento Sacramento Youth Commission Sacramento Observer Mahogany Urban Poetry Series: Feat. NSAA Sac Cultural Hub

11/13/2025

URGENT: INTERFAITH PRAYER VIGIL POSTPONED TO FRIDAY, November 14, 2025, noon.

Due to safety concerns around tomorrow’s weather forecast (heavy rain and winds up to 35mph) the organizing committee made the difficult decision to postpone the interfaith prayer vigil tomorrow by 24 hours. The plan is that we will meet the next day, Friday, November 14, 2025, at the same time, noon, at the same location.

Love has the power to transform. Gather with us for a prayer vigil that centers compassion, unity and faith in action.
Thursday, Nov. 13 11:30am-1pm
John Moss Federal Building
RSVP: bit.ly/3WKLkHS

11/12/2025

Community News:

Reel People-Read Stories: The Reel People Project gathers, records, and distributes stories about how the administration is affecting someone—whether through financial hardship, loss of loved ones, detention by ICE, food insecurity, or whatever has changed.

The goal of the Reel People is to help others relate to what individuals are going through, so they may tell their own story, or discover the truth, and join peacefully to protest this regime. To this end, we need strong stories. If you know someone willing to tell their story or willing to research/network with us to find them, please contact: Voting for our Lives at votingforourlives@gmail.com.

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Californians for SSI (CA4SSI) is a statewide coalition of SSI advocates and organizations across the aging, disability rights, housing and homeless, anti-hunger, and anti-poverty sectors. We see the suffering that our most vulnerable residents are facing every day, and we seek to ensure that they receive adequate support to live their lives in dignity. For more info, please visit: https://ca4ssi.org/who-we-are.

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2025 Transgender Day of Remembrance, Sacramento
Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 6:30PM-8:30 PM

A Candlelight Vigil
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 2620 Capitol Ave., Sacramento, CA 95816

Non-religious. All are welcome, Free of charge
Free parking at 2710 N Street ( Sutter Community Garage)

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11/11/2025

An exciting new program called “Shake The Future Up”: it's all about empowering Sacramento’s youth. We’ll meet you where you are—on campuses, in neighborhoods, and through culture, art, and peer networks. Our goal is to register 10,000 new voters in Sac County, ages 17-35, by June 2026. This will launch in this county, with the hope of expanding into an ongoing campaign to build intergenerational allyship!

For more info, please visit: https://www.shakethefutureup.org/

Mobilizing California youth to register to vote and participate in democracy through community, culture, and peer engagement. Join the movement today.