Sabrina Robinson
Sabrina Robinson is an artist who uses multiple mediums to bring awareness & normalcy to conversations around activism, civic & social change, and mental health. After receiving a degree in art from Winston-Salem State University, working for the school’s publication, The News Argus, and shadowing a Washington Post photojournalist, Sabrina realized her duty was to tell the stories of the underrepresented. As a Library Associate with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, located in North Carolina, she utilizes art to give agency to communities by archiving various occurrences throughout Charlotte and centering those events in programs that provide insight, depth, and encourages audiences to use their gifts to amplify their voices. Sabrina was promoted to Outreach Specialist in August 2024
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
SJ4A Fellow Sabrina Robinson Attends the National Conference of African American Librarians in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 24-27, 2024.
In May 2024, Sabrina participated in an exhibit finale at the Living Archives project which included guest speakers and artistic performances. Sabrina has been encouraged by the work she is doing in the SJ4A program to practice photojournalism once again and has been reaching out to grassroots groups, activists, and protesters who are rallying for Gaza and Congo. For her internship this summer, Sabrina is partnering with John C. Smith University with the goal of connecting with the communities in Charlotte affected by the gentrification that is happening in the area.
Sabrina’s teen program received a grant to continue working on a teen newsletter in January 2024. She also worked on the Living Archives project where she interviewed the BIPOC experience during the times of COVID. The project was made into an exhibit that circulated throughout Charlotte, North Carolina starting in late February.
The American Library Association selected Sabrina as a recipient of a 2023-2024 Spectrum Scholarship. This scholarship can be used to attend an ALA-accredited or AASL-recognized school library focused master’s degree. The prestigious Spectrum Scholarship award includes $5,000 in scholarship funds distributed directly to the recipient, and professional development funds used directly to support membership in ALA, its Divisions & Roundtables, and Affiliated Organizations, formal and informal mentoring options, and participation in the 2024 Spectrum Leadership Institute held in conjunction with the 2024 ALA Annual Conference in San Diego, CA. Congratulations, Sabrina!
MY SJ4A ROAD MAP [STRATEGIC EDUCATION PLAN]
FALL 2024
CIS 675: Community-Engaged Scholarship
I have created this Community-Engaged ePortfolio (CP-eP) as part of my work for the CIS 675 course (Community-Engaged Scholarship) during fall 2024. In my CP-eP I analyze existing communication and information responses to civic engagement for BIPOC library workers people in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library located in Charlotte, NC. I also identify existing and potential collaborators and partners in local, regional, national, and international communities (in the physical setting and online) to facilitate actual and/or planned activities of mutual interest to operationalize and implement. In the process I propose (and/or actualize) a range of responsive strategies to further community needs, expectations, and representation in the specific setting and workforce environment. As part of my analysis, I critically evaluate and analyze how the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library equips and encourages its library workers to handle topics about serving diverse populations in the face of harsh political climate and develop a strategic diversity action plan for the communication or information organization to identify future directions of progressive growth and professional practice in consolidating future collaborations and partnerships.
Analyzing Existing Communication and Information Responses to Civic Engagement for BIPOC Library Workers in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library located in Charlotte, NC – https://sprobinson4-cis675-fall24.myportfolio.com
SPRING 2024
LS 580: Outreach to Diverse Populations
I have created this Outreach ePortfolio (O-eP) as part of my work for the LS580 course (Outreach to Diverse Populations) during Spring 2024.
In my O-eP, I analyze existing outreach information responses to Black youth in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library located in Charlotte, NC.
Analyzing Existing Outreach Information Responses to Black Youth in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in Charlotte, NC – https://sprobinson4-ls580-spring2024.myportfolio.com (Password Protected Portfolio).
FALL 2023
CIS 668: Social Justice and Inclusion Advocacy
I have created this Social Justice ePortfolio (SJ-eP) as part of my work for CIS 668 (Social Justice and Inclusion Advocacy) course during fall 2023. In my SJ-eP I propose social justice actions based on an analysis of existing communication and information responses to the preservation of BIPOC and youth stories and pandemic accounts in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library located in Charlotte, NC,=.
I propose and implement responsive strategies and action plans to further community needs, expectations, and representation in the specific setting and workforce environment of the communication agency or information organization to identify future directions of progressive growth and professional practice. The SJ-eP provides a glimpse of social justice actions proposed and/or taken through the application of select systematic methods. It documents this process upon reflection of the limited experience to gather insights that can be operationalized in greater depth during future initiatives.
A Critical Evaluation of the Living Archives Project and Advancing Inclusive Narratives – sprobinson4-cis668-fall23.myportfolio.com
SUMMER 2023
CIS 650: Applying Diversity Leadership Theories and Praxis
I have created this Diversity & Inclusion ePortfolio (D&P-eP) as part of my work for the CIS 650 (Applying Diversity Leadership Theories & Praxis) course during the Summer of 2023.
In my D&P-eP I analyze existing diversity and inclusion responses to Black, Indigenous, People of Color AND progressive growth and professional practice directions in the West Boulevard Branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (CML) located in Charlotte, NC. I also propose a range of responsive strategies to further cultural competence and effective leadership in the diverse workforce environment. As part of my analysis, I critically evaluate a variety of existing information responses (e.g., collections, services, programs, resources, policies, and best practices) to ensure equality/equity of representation, access, and information use of diverse stakeholders in my commun progressive growth and professional practice directions.
Empowering Voices: An Exploration of Mental Health, Activism, and Library Support for BIPOC Youth in Charlotte, North Carolina – sprobinson4-cis650div-sum23.myportfolio.com/di-presentations