"What, to the Black American, is the 4th of July?" 

The hypocrisy of the empire is not lost on me. We are steeped in contradiction and celebrating the birth of this country feels alien and wrong. This country was made in the image of slave owners, men who saw our ancestors as part human, part machine. 

Even now, as we make incredible strides in the reparations space, it's hard to ignore the rise of fascism around us. We are bankrolling a genocide, homelessness is being criminalized, forced prison labor is helping drive record business profits, and 76% of Black folks are living paycheck to paycheck, just to name a few. The greed and degradation this country is built upon continues to reproduce and evolve. 

The country we built has never been for us. In 1777, as muskets and cannons rang out to celebrate liberation from the British, our enslaved ancestors who would never see freedom toiled on plantations. 

America's original sin still owes an immeasurable debt and until it is paid in full, this Independence Day is not ours. 

Ebony Beach Club

The highly anticipated recommendations for repair from the Santa Monica City Council are set to be unveiled in just one week on July 23rd. 

Stay tuned for more CTAs after the 23rd, we're hoping the City gets it right the first time! 

The Matthews Family

We're back in Huntsville, Alabama with the Garner Family! Carrie Matthews was unlawfully kicked off her land by greedy, conniving lawyers who lied about a key document for decades. Now, commercial properties like Aldi, Valvoline and more stand on her land. Right now, their petition has almost 400 signees, can we count on your signature?

Watch CEO Kavon Ward's Perform her Acclaimed Poem, "Reparations"

In May, our fearless leader performed her acclaimed poem, "Reparations", at the GEO Conference where she received a standing ovation. The gathering “offers grant-makers and other practitioners the opportunity to explore equity-centered and community-driven grant-making practices that support transformational change to create a just, connected and inclusive society where we can all thrive.”

Put some respect on her artistry and watch the amazing performance on our Youtube below (& don't forget to subscribe)!!

With another huge milestone under our belt in Santa Monica, our impact is undeniable. This work wouldn't be possible without your generous donations, large or small. Help us to continue scaling this work and impacting the lives of Black families across America. 

We have a new fiscal sponsor and are now able to accept tax-deductible donations again!

Top Reparative Justice Headlines from June 2024

Sacramento, CA: SB1050 is almost there and victims of racially motivated eminent domain are closer to repair! Last month, the bill passed in the Assembly Judiciary Committee with an 11-0 vote. 

Sacramento, CA: California has allocated $12 million over the next year to launch reparations. And our CEO said it best, "That is a lowball amount."

Tulsa, OK: Disappointed, but unsurprised. Oklahoma courts reject Mother Randle and Mother Fletcher's lawsuit for reparations over the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Chicago, IL: A campaign ploy? Or a genuine investment in repair? Many Black Chicagoans are weary of the reparations task force executive order Mayor Brandon Johnson issued last month

Boston, MA: Hmm, it's time to eliminate the middlemen. Harvard has awarded Boston College Law Schools' Initiative on Land, Housing & Property Rights with a grant to address systemic housing and property rights failures. Instead of it materially supporting Black homeowners, the grant will be used towards estate planning workshops. *eye roll*