October 2026: A Month of Community, Culture, Education, and Empowerment
We've been busy, High Desert! And we're just getting started.
At SCORE (Securing Communities of Racial Equity), we believe stronger communities are built when people come together, share their experiences, recognize their collective strengths, and work toward meaningful solutions.
October was a reflection of that belief.
From celebrating culture and sharing powerful stories to supporting civic engagement, mentoring young people, and working with educators, SCORE has continued doing what we do best: connecting people, creating opportunities, and addressing the barriers that prevent our communities from reaching their full potential.
And while we've had a busy month, what excites us most isn't simply what we've accomplished. It's the relationships we're building and the opportunities these efforts are creating for what comes next.
Here's a look at what we've been up to!
EXPRESSIONS OF LA CULTURA: Celebrating Culture, Creativity, and Community
October 3, 2026 | Singh Center for the Arts, Apple Valley
What better way to celebrate community than through art, culture, creativity, and storytelling?
SCORE was excited to participate in Expressions of La Cultura: Festival of the Creative Arts, a celebration that brought people together to experience and appreciate the richness of cultural expression.
Events like Expressions of La Cultura remind us that our communities are filled with extraordinary talent, diverse experiences, and stories that deserve to be celebrated and shared.
As part of the festival, SCORE presented the official trailer for Journey and introduced our Journey Campaign, an initiative designed to encourage conversations about immigration, identity, culture, belonging, and the experiences that connect us.
For us, the opportunity to introduce Journey in a setting that celebrated cultural expression was especially meaningful.
After all, art has a remarkable ability to bring people together, challenge assumptions, and help us recognize humanity in one another.
We were grateful for the opportunity to participate in a celebration that reflected so much of what SCORE stands for.
Our cultures may be different, but our stories often reveal just how much we share.
And speaking of stories...
JOURNEY: A Story Worth Sharing. A Conversation Worth Having.
October 3, 2026 | RAWFA Studios, Victorville
October 3 was a particularly special day for SCORE.
Following our participation in Expressions of La Cultura, we celebrated the premiere of Journey, a film that represents years of creativity, collaboration, and a commitment to telling stories that matter.
What began as a stage production has evolved into something much larger.
Journey explores the experiences of immigrant communities, the challenges they encounter, and the relationships, sacrifices, and hopes that shape their lives.
But this project has never been just about producing a film.
It's about what happens after people watch it.
What conversations will it inspire? What assumptions might it challenge? What new understanding might emerge when people begin looking at the world through someone else's experiences?
These are the questions driving the Journey Campaign, an initiative developed through SCORE with the support of OnWatch TV.
We're now exploring opportunities to bring Journey into classrooms, colleges, professional development workshops, community organizations, and other spaces where meaningful conversations can take place.
Our vision includes screenings, facilitated discussions, educational workshops, and opportunities for people to engage with issues surrounding immigration, identity, intersectionality, and belonging.
Because the goal isn't simply to tell a story. It's to create opportunities for understanding, reflection, and meaningful change.
We look forward to sharing more as the Journey Campaign continues to grow.
Interested in hosting a Journey screening or bringing the campaign to your organization? Let's talk!
HIGH DESERT VOICES UNITED: Making Our Voices Count
Throughout October, SCORE continued its commitment to civic engagement through our High Desert Voices United initiative.
With the November 3 election approaching, we worked to encourage residents to become informed about the candidates, propositions, and issues affecting our communities.
Our efforts included sharing voter education resources, providing access to candidate information, and helping residents better understand what a YES or NO vote could mean for the propositions on the ballot.
We also continued working with community partners who recognize that civic participation is essential to addressing the challenges facing our neighborhoods.
We believe people deserve access to clear information that allows them to make their own informed decisions.
And while voting is an important part of that process, civic engagement doesn't stop at the ballot box.
It also means attending community meetings, asking questions, holding elected officials accountable, and ensuring that the voices of residents are considered when decisions are made.
Our voices matter before, during, and after Election Day.
We extend our appreciation to our community partners, including the High Desert Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the National Council of Negro Women High Desert Section, and the Black Workers Center, for their commitment to strengthening civic participation.
The election may be behind us, but our work to encourage informed and engaged communities continues.
MASK OFF: ALL EYES ON ADELANTO
October 4, 2026 | Adelanto High School Performing Arts Center
The day after our Journey premiere, SCORE was proud to serve as a community sponsor of Mask Off: All Eyes on Adelanto, a Meet the Candidates forum presented by Group Economics.
This event provided an opportunity for Adelanto residents to hear from individuals seeking elected office and learn more about their perspectives on issues affecting the community.
From education and public safety to economic development and opportunities for young people, these are conversations that deserve our attention.
One especially meaningful part of the event was the recognition of four Adelanto High School students, each receiving a $250 scholarship.
That's $1,000 invested in young people and their futures!
We believe opportunities like this demonstrate how civic engagement, community involvement, and educational support can come together in meaningful ways.
As Election Day approached, we also encouraged residents to watch and share the forum so that more community members could access the information.
We're grateful to Group Economics and everyone who contributed to making this event possible.
When communities have opportunities to ask questions, hear different perspectives, and participate in the conversation, everyone benefits.
EMBODI: Our Young Men Need Us!
One of the most rewarding parts of SCORE's work continues to be our commitment to young people.
Throughout October, we supported efforts to strengthen EMBODI, a mentorship initiative focused on empowering young Black males through education, leadership, positive relationships, and meaningful experiences.
We also began reaching out to Black male professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, inviting them to share their knowledge and experiences as mentors.
And here's something we want potential mentors to understand:
You don't have to have all the answers to make a difference in a young man's life.
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can offer is your story.
The challenges you've overcome. The lessons you've learned. The mistakes that taught you something. The people who believed in you when you needed encouragement.
Our young men need to hear those stories.
They need opportunities to see themselves reflected in people who have navigated challenges, achieved goals, and discovered different pathways to success.
With monthly mentoring sessions scheduled through May 2027, there are opportunities for men to participate in one session or several.
We invite those interested in investing in the next generation to become part of this effort.
Our young men don't just need to hear that they have potential. They need people willing to help them recognize and develop it.
EDUCATIONAL EQUITY: Turning Conversations Into Classroom Change
Our work in education has also continued.
Building on SCORE's professional development partnership with Val Verde Elementary School, we've been exploring ways to further support educators in creating learning environments where students feel respected, connected, challenged, and valued.
Our I C.A.R.E. professional development approach emphasizes the importance of relationships, reflection, understanding students' experiences, and recognizing how our own assumptions can influence classroom practices.
We're also exploring opportunities to incorporate the Journey Campaign into future professional development experiences.
Imagine educators watching Journey together and then participating in thoughtful discussions about culture, identity, belonging, intersectionality, and the assumptions we sometimes make about students and families.
These conversations matter because students don't leave their identities, experiences, or circumstances at the classroom door.
They bring their whole selves into our schools.
And if we're serious about educational equity, we must be willing to examine not only what we're teaching, but how students experience our schools and classrooms.
Every student deserves more than access to an education. They deserve an environment where they have a genuine opportunity to succeed.
We're excited about the possibilities for expanding this work with schools, districts, and educational organizations.
THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS: We Can't Do This Alone!
If there's one thing October reinforced, it's that meaningful community change requires collaboration.
Whether we're supporting a cultural celebration, presenting a film, encouraging civic engagement, mentoring young people, or working with educators, our efforts are strengthened by the people and organizations willing to come together around shared goals.
We are especially grateful to the organizers, volunteers, educators, artists, community leaders, business owners, and partner organizations who continue opening doors and creating opportunities for collaboration.
At SCORE, we don't believe any one organization has all the answers.
But we do believe that when we bring our knowledge, experiences, relationships, and resources together, we can accomplish far more than we could working independently.
Our communities are stronger when collaboration becomes a commitment rather than just a conversation.
And that's why we remain committed to building meaningful partnerships throughout the High Desert and beyond.
SO, WHAT'S NEXT FOR SCORE?
As we move into the final months of 2026, our work continues.
We're looking forward to expanding the Journey Campaign, developing additional educational and professional development opportunities, strengthening our mentorship initiatives, and continuing our commitment to informed and engaged communities.
We're also looking to connect with more individuals and organizations who believe in the importance of addressing the social, economic, and academic barriers affecting the people we serve.
And that brings us to you!
WE WANT YOU TO BE PART OF THE WORK!
Are you an educator interested in bringing new perspectives and meaningful conversations into your school?
A professional who wants to mentor young people?
A community organization interested in collaborating?
A business owner looking for opportunities to invest in the community?
Or simply someone who believes our communities deserve equitable opportunities and wants to help make that happen?
We would love to hear from you!
There are several ways to get involved:
PARTNER WITH SCORE: Collaborate with us on community initiatives, educational programs, and events.
BECOME A MENTOR: Help encourage, guide, and inspire the next generation.
SUPPORT OUR MISSION: Your donations and contributions help create educational opportunities and strengthen our community initiatives.
BRING JOURNEY TO YOUR COMMUNITY: Explore opportunities for screenings, workshops, and facilitated conversations.
SPREAD THE WORD: Share our stories, follow our activities, and invite others to become part of our growing network.
THE WORK CONTINUES. THE INVITATION IS OPEN.
Looking back on October, we're encouraged by the opportunities we've had to connect with people, support important initiatives, and contribute to conversations that matter.
But for SCORE, success isn't measured simply by the number of events we participate in or the programs we develop.
It's measured by the relationships we build, the opportunities we create, the barriers we help remove, and the difference those efforts make in people's lives.
We know meaningful change takes time.
We also know it takes people who are willing to show up, work together, and remain committed even when progress isn't immediate.
To everyone who has supported SCORE, collaborated with us, volunteered, shared our message, or participated in our activities, thank you!
Your support makes this work possible.
And to those who are just learning about SCORE, we hope this is the beginning of a meaningful relationship.
We're not simply working to change the conversation. We're working to change the conditions that make these conversations necessary.
Let's continue building stronger, more connected, and more equitable communities.
Together.
Dr. Tayari Kuanda
Founder & President
SCORE | Securing Communities of Racial Equity
Building Relationships. Creating Opportunities. Advancing Equity. Strengthening Communities.