by Morgan Curtis, Social Justice Giving Coach

Art by micahbanzant

#SayTheirNames, #DoTheWork and fund Black-led healing & organizing

As yet another Black person dies at the hands of the police in the United States, it is important to honor and feel grief and rage at the violence of white supremacy. For white folks, we must allow it to transform us and flow into action, and for those of us with wealth and class privilege, now is the time to move money in recognition that our wealth is, and has always been, built at the expense of Black lives, wellness and freedom.

Moving money is just one method of response, but a pivotal one…

• To support organizing in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis, give to Black Visions Collective or Reclaim the Block.

• In response to Ahmaud Arbery’s murder in Georgia, give to the Just Georgia coalition.

• To bolster local Black Lives Matter work in Louisville after Breonna Taylor’s murder, give to the Louisville Community Bail Fund.

• In acknowledgment of the unnecessary deaths of so many others, give to the national Movement for Black Lives.

• Fund Black self-determination through land with the Black Land and Power Fund.

• Support Black community healing and ritual in response to violence with Lead to Life.

What I’m up to this month

I’ve set myself a goal of raising $34,500 by July 1 for needed renovations at the Sister Water House of Restorative Justice at Canticle Farm. This house is led by formerly-incarcerated Black elders and movement leaders, as a home in which to support one another in organizing and storytelling work for prison abolition, police accountability and restorative justice.

One of the most important practices we use in coaching (and fundraising!) is setting goals. There’s nothing like saying you’re going to do something to help get it done! Interested to learn more about Sister Water or want to contribute any amount towards this goal? Just email me back or donate here.

Who I am called to support

Do you know any young people with wealth who want to transform their ancestral legacy? Who are interested in courageously moving money, but have doubts / worries / fears / confusion that have held them back, up until now?

I encourage you to forward this email to them! And if it’s you, I’d love to talk. I’m grateful to be able to offer coaching support to folks who have resources to move in solidarity with those most impacted by white supremacy, COVID-19, and the other intersecting crises of our times.

Newsletter namesake poem by Mary Oliver