During Black History Month, we must recommit ourselves to improving the lives of Black communities through quality education and affordable health care — while celebrating the legacy of past African-American trailblazers and a new generation of leaders in the United States. Access to health care is a fundamental right for all people — regardless of race, immigration status, country of origin, gender, or sexual orientation. And we will continue to work with communities to dismantle systemic barriers to care. What are you doing to celebrate Black History Month? Learn how to get involved in Black organizations fighting for justice, while uplifting Black leaders throughout your activism.
Black Women Running for Office
It is abundantly clear that we need to start following the lead of Black women, because they show up and do what is important, even when they are being disenfranchised and sabotaged from doing the work. 2018 is especially important because midterm elections are coming up.
We must highlight the organization, Higher Heights, which is doing WORK to get Black women running for office, including capacity building and trainings.
Their #BlackWomenLead campaign is ensuring that voices are being heard and that sistas are able to throw their hats in the political ring. Visit the Higher Heights website to learn more about what they’re doing, and how to get involved or help.
"When we went looking for a database of Black women running for office and couldn’t find a comprehensive one, four Black women decided to create one. For the first round of this list, we had 100+ Black women candidates. We called for people to submit others who they know and that list is now at over 375." - Higher Heights Collective
See which Black women are running for office, and support their campaigns!
Black Led Organizations to Support
SisterSong: Strengthens and amplifies the collective voices of indigenous women and women of color to achieve reproductive justice by eradicating reproductive oppression and securing human rights.
Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity: BOLD (Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity) is a national Leadership Training Program designed to help rebuild Black (African-American, Caribbean, African, Afro-Latino) social justice infrastructure in order to organize Black communities more effectively and re-center Black leadership in the U.S. social justice movement.
Black Alliance for Justice Immigration: BAJI educates and engages African American and black immigrant communities to organize and advocate for racial, social and economic justice. Local BAJI Organizing Committees in New York, Georgia, California and Arizona build coalitions and initiate campaigns among communities to push for racial justice.
Black Youth Project 100: Black Youth Project 100 (BYP 100) is an activist member-based organization of Black 18-35 year olds, dedicated to creating justice and freedom for all Black people. We do this through building a collective focused on transformative leadership development, direct action organizing, advocacy and education.
Here's an interactive map of Black Liberation organizing across the United States.
More organizations to support here and here.
Support Black-Owned Businesses
One way to stand with Black Lives, is by redistributing your money to Black-owned bookstores, small businesses, and restaurants. A thorough list of Black Owned Businesses here.
1) cafe con libros is a feminist community bookstore in Brooklyn catering to folks who are book lovers, coffee aficionados, or both. We aim to provide space for anyone seeking a community of readers and thinkers and, to spread the love of reading as a source of healing and joy.
2) Sister's Uptown Bookstore & Cultural Center is not just a book store, we are a community resource center for the exchange of information and ideas.
3) Negril Village is the “go-to” spot for delicious food and vibes. You can eat and dance, all within 20 feet.
Black Lives Matter Resources & Tools
The Black Lives Matter Syllabus is a national community organizing project that seeks to mobilize students and local communities through teach-ins, public dialogues, and sustained conversations about the past, present, and future of the movement for Black Lives. Learn more, teach your community members, and spread the word.
GLAAD created a Black History Month Resource Kit with extensive history of LGBTQ leaders and activists from the Black community.
Join SPARK's #BlackQueerHistory conversation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
You can find a Foodie's Guide to Black Owned NYC restaurants here.
More bookstores to support here.
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