"Magic lies in challenging what seems impossible."
~Carol Moseley Braun
What's This Page All About?
This a resource page for anyone who wants to learn more about organizations who are doing good work to improve the safety, health, and well-being of those in their communities and society at large. There are also some good reads for those who are interested in how we can help make the necessary changes we need to see in this country, and in this world.
Expand Your Knowledge
Organizations
Black Lives Matter: Learn about the fight against white supremacy and police brutality against Black people. This is a global organization that fights for Black people around the world.
The African American Policy Forum: Despite the fact that both Black men and women are victimized by police, the stories of Black women are often ignored by both the Black community and larger American society. BLACK LIVES MATTER does not exclude women.
The NAACP: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded in 1909, and has been a leading organization in the fight for racial equality.
The Southern Poverty Law Center: Fights against hatred and extremism (such as white supremacists), works against the “school to prison pipeline”, and advocates for prison reform.
Books & Articles
*I only recommend books and articles I’ve read and enjoyed.
How to be an Antiracist, by. Ibram X. Kendi: A comprehensive analysis of our relationship with race and racism. If you really want to learn about antiracism and the fight to ensure racial equality and equity, you need to read this book.
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot: by. Mikki Kendall: All to often, Black women are forgotten in the “feminist” movement. The relationships between race and gender cannot be ignored in any social justice movements. This is also one of my favorite books.
So You Want to Talk About Race, by. Ijeoma Oluo: This book is a great start to race talk, aka learning to talk about race. Though, the target audience seems to be white people.
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, by Robin DiAngelo: I recommend this book for white people specifically. The author directs her points towards her fellow white people. This book could also be useful if you are new to conversations about race, and need a starting point.
The Revolutionary Practice of Black Feminisms: A history of Black feminism, from Sojourner Truth to Alice Walker.
Amistad Digital Resource (The Future in the Present): An educational module for students (welcome to all) that explores Black activism throughout history.
Organizations
In Chicago-land
A Long Walk Home: Black Lives Matter includes Black women, and unfortunately, many people neglect this fact. This non-profit advocates for the rights of women of color and provides programs for young women, inspiring the next generation of leaders.
Together Chicago: “A catalyst for lasting change by reducing gun violence and increasing thriving communities in our city. We catalyze faith, business, community and government leaders to inspire hope and affect peace and justice in the communities we serve. We focus on five areas: economic development, educational achievement, violence reduction, gospel justice and faith-community mobilization.”
National Organizations
The African American Policy Forum: Support the fight for “gender equity and racial justice advocacy”. There are several programs you can donate to, such as #SayHerName, #HerDreamDeferred, Breaking the Silence Camp, Breaking the Silence Town Halls, and their Arts and Activism program.
The Arts Business Collaborative: “Through community-centered programs, consulting, and action-oriented research, ABC addresses issues accessing capital, networks, and knowledge. ABC partners with people of color — with an emphasis on the communities and people identifying as Black, Latine, and Indigenous— to connect them with resources and leverage the economic value of their cultural capital to improve their quality of life.” Excerpt from the website*
Know Your Rights Camp: Colin Kapernick, camps in Atlanta, Baltimore, Miama, Amsterdam, New Orleans, Chicago, New York City, and Oakland. “Our mission is to advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders.” Excerpt from the website.*
The Okra Project: “The Okra Project is a collective that seeks to address the global crisis faced by Black Trans people by bringing home cooked, healthy, and culturally specific meals and resources to Black Trans People wherever we can reach them.” They have a variety of active and upcoming programs, including The Flowers Fund which “recognizes, empowers, and celebrates community leaders who consistently uplift and support the Black Trans community.” Excerpt from the website*