Anti-Racism Resource Guide
These are troubling times for many Americans. And though blatant racism and prejudice are an enormous problem today, they are something that Black Americans have been dealing with for centuries.
As many take to the streets to protest, donate to organizations fighting for change, share content on social media or use other resources to learn about how to become a better ally, it has become clear we must continue to educate ourselves about the past and use that knowledge to shape our mindset and actions for the future.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m still educating myself and have a lot to learn but am committed to using my platform for good. I wanted to compile a more permanent list of educational resources to look into and to spread awareness. Below, you will find a list of organizations, books, podcasts, movies, children’s resources, content creators to follow, etc. that you can use to educate yourself further, spark conversations and take steps to eliminating the systemic racism our country is facing. Posting a black box or inspirational quotes on Instagram is not enough. If we want to see real change, we need an action plan.
I will continue learning and educating myself, my family and praying for peace, equality and change! I encourage you to get involved anyway you can. It starts with education, but actions are needed. Sign the petitions, donate, use your voice, and get involved.
I 100% understand that this is a very overwhelming, sensitive, and REAL matter, but doing your part, no matter how small, makes a difference.
A HUGE part of change is VOTING! You can find your state’s election dates here.
ORGANIZATIONS TO RESEARCH & DONATE TO:
Use these organizations to further educate yourselves. If you are able to donate, please do so!
Black Lives Matter: Use it to further educate yourselves, share with others and use it to spark the challenging conversations #BlackLivesMatter
Minnesota Freedom Fund: A a community based nonprofit that combats the harms of incarceration by paying bail for low-income individuals who cannot. The Minnesota Freedom Fund has raised $20m and is asking that future donations be routed to Black Visions Collective and Reclaim The Block.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): Mission is to secure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights in order to ensure a society where all individuals have equal rights without race-based discrimination.
The Sentencing Project : The Sentencing Project works for a fair and effective U.S. criminal justice system by promoting reforms in sentencing policy, addressing unjust racial disparities and practices, and advocating for alternatives to incarceration.
Color of Change: They are the nation’s largest online racial justice organization that lead campaigns to help people respond effectively to injustice in Black communities.
The Innocence Project: They exonerate the innocent through DNA testing and work to reform the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.
UNCF: The nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization.
ACLU: The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.
Black Women’s Blueprint: Working toward a world where women and girls of African descent are fully empowered and where gender, race and other disparities are erased.
Black Visions Collective: A Black, trans and queer-led organization that’s committed to dismantling systems of oppression and violence, and shifting the public narrative to create transformative, long-term change.
National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls - Creating the shift from a criminal legal system to community-led human justice.
NYC Specific Organizations:
Brooklyn Community Bail Fund. Donate here.
Liberty Fund. Donate here.
Black Lives Matter of Greater NYC. Donate here.
NYCLU. Donate here.
PETITIONS TO SIGN:
Justice For George Floyd. Sign here.
Color of Change: Ensure the officers involved in Floyd’s death are brought to justice. Sign here.
White House Petition. Sign here.
Justice For Breonna Taylor. Sign here.
Justice for Ahmaud Arbery. Sign here.
BOOKS & PODCASTS:
White Fragility by Robin Diangelo. Exploring the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged, and how these reactions maintain racial inequality.
So You Want to Talk About Race by Iljeoma Oluo. The author offers a hard-hitting but user-friendly examination of race in America, from police brutality to the mass incarceration of Black Americans.
Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America by Jennifer Harvey For families, educators, and communities who want to equip their children to be active and able participants in a society that is becoming one of the most racially diverse in the world while remaining full of racial tensions. For white people who are committed to equity and justice, living in a nation that remains racially unjust and deeply segregated creates unique conundrums.
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration In The Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander The author shows that, by targeting black men through the War on Drugs and decimating communities of color, the U.S. criminal justice system functions as a contemporary system of racial control, even as it formally adheres to the principle of colorblindness.
Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla Saad This eye-opening book challenges you to do the essential work of unpacking your biases, and helps white people take action and dismantle the privilege within themselves so that you can stop (often unconsciously) inflicting damage on people of color, and in turn, help other white people do better, too.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. It is considered a classic of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, and it is likely Hurston's best known work.
Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates The author offers a powerful new framework for understanding our nation’s history and current crisis.
Your Silence Will Not Protect You by Audre Lorde 2017 posthumous collection of essays, speeches, and poems by African American author and poet Audre Lorde.
Heavy: An American Memoir by Keise Laymon. In this powerful, provocative, and universally lauded memoir Laymon provocatively meditates on his trauma growing up as a black man.
1619: (Podcast) by the New York Times. Hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones, that examines the long shadow of American slavery.
Still Processing: (Podcast) breaks down race and identity and its impact on the world. Listen on Apple.
Yo, Is this Racist?: (Podcast) If you ever questioned a situation and thought to yourself, "Is this racist?" chances are this podcast has the answer. This weekly series showcases viewers' submitted voicemails and emails (and of course answers the big question). You’ll be surprised by the honest submissions and laugh along as the pair tackles important issues head-on with humor. Listen on Apple.
INVISIBILIA: (Podcast) Another NPR gem that deconstructs human behavior, beliefs and assumptions, each episode combines storytelling and science on topics of race, relationships and many more. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google.
Pod Save the People: (Podcast) Activist DeRay McKesson provides insight into social justice, politics and activism. In each episode, activists, experts and national leaders break down issues and news that is sometimes overlooked. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google.
Code Switch: (Podcast) by NPR breaks down race and identity and its impact on the world. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google.
Scene on Radio: (Podcast) focuses on many American issues. But of particular note is their 14-part series called "Seeing White" which takes a deep dive into white supremacy, white privilege and what it means to Black in America. Listen on Apple, Spotify.
TV SHOWS, MOVIES & VIDEOS:
“13th” (Netflix documentary) Based on the 13th Amendment- explores the history of racial inequality in the US. Scholars, activists and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the prison boom.
“See You Yesterday” (Netflix movie) As 2 teen science prodigies try to master the art of time travel (their latest homemade invention), a tragic police shooting sends them on a series of dangerous trips to the past.
“American Son” (Netflix) An estranged couple reunite in a Florida police station to help find their missing teenage son.
“When They See Us” (Netflix) Based on true story: In 1989 a jogger was assaulted and raped in New York's Central Park, and five teens from Harlem were subsequently charged with the crime.
“Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap” (Netflix) To help understand the concept of “white privilege”.
“Selma” (Not on Netflix - you need to rent this one) based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches.
“Dear White People” (Netflix series): Students of color navigate the daily slights and slippery politics of life at an Ivy League college that's not nearly as "post-racial" as it thinks.
“Time: The Kalief Browder Story” (Netflix) The crime documentary series based on the true story of a teenager wrongfully charged with theft.
How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion - Ted Talk by
Peggy McIntoshLet's get to the root of racial injustice - TED Talk by Megan Francis
BOOKS, TOYS & MORE FOR CHILDREN
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison. Featuring 40 trailblazing black women in American history, Little Leaders educates and inspires as it relates true stories of breaking boundaries and achieving beyond expectations.
Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison. An important book for listeners of all ages, this beautifully illustrated and engagingly written volume brings to life true stories of black men in history.
Little People, Big Dreams is a series of children’s books that highlights the lives of outstanding people from designers and artists to scientists. All of them went on to achieve incredible things, yet all of them began life as a little child with a dream. They have incredible POC like MLK, Rosa Parks & Harriet Tubman.
Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson. In 1963, Birmingham, Alabama, thousands of African-American children volunteered to march for their civil rights after hearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak. They protested the laws that kept black people separate from white people. Facing fear, hate, and danger, these children used their voices to change the world.
Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw Elliot lives in America, and Kailash lives in India. They are pen pals. By exchanging letters and pictures, they learn that they both love to climb trees, have pets, and go to school. Their worlds might look different, but they are actually similar.
Lovely by Jess Hong. Big, small, curly, straight, loud, quiet, smooth, wrinkly. Lovely explores a world of differences that all add up to the same thing: we are all lovely!
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold. Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms.
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall. A tale of overcoming your fears. The author captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can’t help but root for.
Dionne Simone Kamara: (Class) Is a NY based movement teacher for parents with infants and toddlers. Classes are based on the fundamental patterns of human development.
Toys & Crafts are a great way for children to learn and develop. A few of my favorites are:
BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT:
TOOOO many to list here that I love, but this is a great breakdown!!
CONTENT CREATORS TO FOLLOW ON IG:
@hannahbronfman: NYC based. Creator of @hbfit, inspo for all things wellness & beauty.
@bykwest: NYC based wellness & travel blogger. Such a good soul!!
@____chari______: LA based. Love the vibes on her feed + she’s the founder of @bychari, one of my favorite jewelry brands.
@hey.candace: Portland based. Body Positivity, fashion, and lifestyle blogger.
@natashandlovu: London based. Her aesthetic is everything! Plus she’s the founder of @vintageassembly and @bisousnatasha.
@asiyami_gold: She’s stunning, has incredible style & is the founder of @shop.au, a shop with sophisticated pieces handmade by a sartorially advanced atelier influenced by global experiences exuding effortless independence & spirited freedom.
@msjeanettejenkins: LA based. Trainer and health coach with incredible workout videos on her feed.
@shawnacischroeder: Illinois based. Sharing neutral street style and it’s a vibe!
@Mrandmrsmuscle: Dubai based. This fit couple is GOALS. The duo posts tons of amazing workouts!
@allymisslove: NYC based. Peloton instructor, BK Nets host & creator of @lovesquad.
@thedailyseyi: LA based lifestyle & fashion blogger with amazing style and humor. Also, linked her youtube here!
Tosha_eason: LA based. If only I could raid her closet!!!
If there are any other resources that you found helpful, please let me know and I will consider adding them to the list! xx