Cultural Belonging and (Re)Connection Series: What Does “Belonging” Mean at GrubStreet? (IN-PERSON)

Event Description

Please join us this fall as we launch the first installment of our Cultural Belonging and (Re)Connection Series. Through a series of events, we seek to bring our community together to engage in intentional discussions about what belonging looks like for us as individuals, as artists, and as members of the GrubStreet community.

At GrubStreet, we believe that writing is strengthened through meaningful engagement from different perspectives, and that as artists, we should be revising ourselves as much as our work. We are working to create inclusive spaces for writers from all racial and cultural backgrounds, incomes, experiences, abilities, and identities, especially writers from groups who have been historically marginalized in the writing and publishing worlds.

Throughout this journey, we also have grown in our understanding that we as an institution have a responsibility to better reflect our ideal vision for the local literary landscape and beyond. Fully embracing that responsibility requires that we continually take a hard look at ourselves and that we as a GrubStreet community hold each other accountable to our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

We want to hear directly from members of our community about what belonging means to you. To help us create these brave spaces, we are hosting two sessions this November (one virtual and one in-person) to bring our community together for this critical conversation. Each session will include breakout groups and writing prompts facilitated by GrubStreet instructors, a large group share back, and organizational updates on the belonging-related work that we are doing internally. Please note: Registration for this session will close after Monday, November 14th.

With the input from these sessions, we intend to create a statement of belonging for GrubStreet that provides a shared understanding of the community we seek to create together. Additionally, the insights we gain from our community will help us create clearer community expectations, improve classroom experiences, and enhance our instructor training.

These sessions are part of our ongoing journey together to keep building trust, community, and a true sense of belonging at GrubStreet. Please join us to be a part of this important work.

GrubStreet will provide free food and drinks for the In-Person Session on Tuesday, November 15th and food vouchers for the Virtual Session on Monday, November 7th. Travel vouchers will also be available to cover transportation up to $40 per person/household to make the in-person session as accessible as possible.

Plus, all attendees will receive a free one-year membership to GrubStreet as a thank you for your time and thoughtful feedback.

About the Series

The Cultural Belonging and (Re)Connection Series seeks to bring our community together to engage in meaningful discussions about what belonging looks like for us as individuals, as artists, and as members of the GrubStreet community.

Event Format

This class will take place in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood. Please note that proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is required to attend this class. Please submit your proof of vaccination here at least 48 hours before your class begins. Read on to learn more about GrubStreet's vaccine protocol and find information about where to get vaccinated below.

GrubStreet Vaccine Protocol

Please submit your most recent proof of vaccination, which requires a booster shot for those eligible, here at least 48 hours before your class begins. If you have previously submitted a proof of vaccination that did not include your booster shot, you will need to resubmit your updated vaccine card. If you are not able to fill out our vaccination form 48 hours before your class begins, please bring your vaccine card (or a photo of it) with you to the building. Please note that if you arrive for class and you have not filled out the form and do not have proof of vaccination with you, you will not be allowed to participate in the class. And don’t forget your mask! In accordance with the City of Boston, masks will be required at all times while inside the building. Click here to read GrubStreet's full Vaccination and Masking Policy.

Vaccination status: For in-person classes and events, your vaccination status is considered up-to-date until the time you are eligible for a booster—which is 5 months after the second dose in a two-shot series. Boosters are required for all visitors on our second floor if your second shot was more than 5 months ago.