Today, on January 18, 2021, we are closing our office in honor of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. as a day of remembrance, reflection, and service.
This day is to give the Black and African ancestry communities space to celebrate, while others will continue to educate ourselves, our families, our networks and our communities on how to continue to consciously be anti-racist. While we are sharing only a short list of resources, it’s a place to begin action on the needed positive impact everyone can do as we remember the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
DONATE and support the movement. Donations to the NAACP, BLM, Equal Justice Initiative, Color of Change, Until Freedom, Campaign Zero, and the National Black Women’s Justice Institute are just a few of the organizations ensuring the fundamental rights of Black lives. Also, be sure to invest in organizations like Backstage Capital to fund Black entrepreneurs and businesses.
READ about antiracism and race. And re-read it. Check out your local library, order from indie book stores or explore the antiracism lists found in New York Times. Also recommended is Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson on the “ranking of human value that sets the presumed supremacy of one group against the presumed inferiority of other groups - a powerful, must read.
BUY from Black-owned businesses, especially bookstores. Many small businesses are struggling but you can make the conscious decision to buy from those you are working to support. Whether it’s this list of 100 Black Owned Businesses to Support or these 16 Black-Owned Bookstores, you can shop locally or nationally to find a product or service that can create change.
WATCH Black-produced and funded documentaries, talks, shows and movies. Film has been known to transport its viewers through sharing experiences, but some of these are must-watches to shift your perspective deeper on the “Black experience in America” including: Black Live Matter on Netflix, Black Feminism & the Movement for Black Lives: Barbara Smith, Reina Gossett, Charlene Carruthers, Dr. Robin DiAngelo discusses 'White Fragility', Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man (Eps.1) and (Eps.2), The Angry Eye, The Urgency of Intersectionality, Watch Accidental Courtesy. Side note for casual viewing: check out Shonda Rhime’s Bridgerton as one of the “biggest hits in Netflix Inc.’s history”.
LISTEN podcasts that are real, raw and discuss race (and racism). These include historical and journalistic views, intimate conversations, to knowledge shared by a diverse gathering of brilliant minds. These include: 1619 (New York Times), About Race, Code Switch (NPR), Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw, Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast, Pod For The Cause (from The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights), Pod Save the People (Crooked Media), Seeing White, and Reveal.
And a final note, we are always adding to our anti-racism resources and invite you to share any recommendations with us at info@risequity.co.