Back in June we hosted the first part of our Racial Equity + Social Justice fundraiser. This was designed to help fund the work of organizations and people dedicated to aiding the most marginalized members of our society. We are still so proud of our community for coming together and raising $2,700 to support a number of social justice organizations! And now we’re ready for part two.
We are committed to doing the hard and necessary work required to fix the broken systems that fail our BIPOC community. We recognize that these problems are not ones that can be fixed in a day, a month, or even a year, but through steady, persistent, and deliberate changes over time.
There are so many ways to help. One crucial step to take is supporting organizations that work to uplift and amplify the voices of the BIPOC community, to empower and nurture Black and brown youth, and to challenge and dismantle dangerous beliefs and systems in order to form a more just and equitable world. So that’s where we’re starting.
As with our last fundraiser, we've got a collection of goods, each with a minimum dollar amount that you'll donate directly to a racial equity and / or social justice organization. We'll have a suggested beneficiary for each item though you're welcome to donate to any organization working in the realm of equity and human rights.
Click here to see the fundraiser collection and select your favorite pieces!
The ten organizations that we're supporting this round are listed below, along with a short introduction to the valuable work they do and links to their websites:
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project- defends and advances the rights of immigrants through legal services, community education and systemic advocacy
- Real Rent Duwamish – supports the revival of Duwamish culture and the vitality of the Duwamish Tribe through a selected monthly rent payment amount (one-time donations are also accepted)
- Seattle Change Coalition – unites Seattle-area youth in the fight against systemic oppression by working with elected officials on policy and creating spaces to share knowledge and community
- Crafting The Future – works to provide equitable opportunities in the arts and celebrate and promote the work of Black and brown makers
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We Wield The Hammer – training and mentorship for women and girls of African descent who may not otherwise pursue a career in jewelry and metalsmithing
- Zinn Education Project – promotes the teaching of people’s history across the country and introduces students to more accurate, complex and engaging understanding of history than is found in traditional textbooks and curricula
- The Loveland Foundation – helps bring opportunity and healing to communities of color, especially Black women and girls through fellowships, residency programs and more
- Creative Justice Northwest – uses an innovative art-based approach to end racial dis-proportionality and youth incarceration
- Know Your Rights Camp – works 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
- ACLU WA - working to make justice, freedom and equality realities for all people in Washington state, with particular attention to the rights of people and groups who have historically been disenfranchised.
Supporting organizations like the ones above is a good place to start. But the work does not end there. Educating yourself is equally important. Below are some recommendations on books, videos, articles, influential people and more from our team:
- Intimations by Zadie Smith - a collection of essays: notably “Postscript: Contempt as a Virus”
- I am drowning in Whiteness - KUOW article by Ijeoma Oluo's experience in Seattle (audio version included)
- Why everyone should understand 'racial trauma' right now - Mashable article
- Jim Crow of the North - documentary about housing discrimination (set in MN)
- Barack Obama 1995 - speaking at the Cambridge public library following the release of his book "Dreams from my Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance"
- 1619 Project - audio series from the New York Times, directed by Nikole Hannah-Jones
- Brandon Kyle Goodman - artist, activist, writer and educator - here's his IG and his full website
- As Told by Nomads - podcast by Tayo Rockson, DEI Expert
- Let America be America Again - poem by Langston Hughes
- What to my People is the Fourth of July? - video from Daveed Diggs
The road is long and winding. The work is far from over but we're pushing forward. We're glad you're here with us. Keep listening, keep learning (and unlearning), keep going. We love you.
