In light of the persistent, systematic violence and injustice toward George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and many more in this country, we at iō Literary Journal prompt you to stand in solidarity with the black community. In this moment, silence and inaction must be overpowered by support and change, especially by those empowered to do so.
We find it necessary in this moment to share a collection of organizations, resources, and literature to propel us forward in this movement, and we encourage you to share this message with someone you think needs to see it.
How Can I Help?
1. DONATE to support racial justice
Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
Official GoFundMe for the Floyd family.
Black Visions Collective
Since 2017, Black Visions Collective has been putting into practice the lessons learned from organizations before us in order to shape a political home for Black people across Minnesota. Black Visions Collective aims to center their work in healing and transformative justice principles, intentionally developing their organizations core “DNA” to ensure sustainability, and develop Minnesota’s emerging Black leadership to lead powerful campaigns.
Campaign Zero
Campaign Zero is an online platform and organization that utilizes research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America. Also use the "Find Your Rep" feature on their homepage to see where your local representatives stand on ending police violence and demand action.
Minneapolis Orgs Promoted by Reclaim the Block
Reclaim the Block began in 2018 and organizes Minneapolis community and city council members to move money from the police department into other areas of the city’s budget that truly promote community health and safety. Recently, it urged its contributors to support additional organizations in the local community.
Nationwide Bail Fund
Support protesters in your area. See a full directory of bail funds by state here.
Black Lives Matter
#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc. is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.
Color of Change
Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. Color of Change helps people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by 1.7 million members, they move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America.
The Movement for Black Lives
In response to the sustained and increasingly visible violence against Black communities in the U.S. and globally, a collective of more than 50 organizations representing thousands of Black people from across the country have come together with renewed energy and purpose to articulate a common vision and agenda.
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans.
2. As an ally, EDUCATE yourself and others
How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change
Former President Barack Obama's actionable plan for instigating change in the criminal justice system and police practices.
Anti-Racism Resources for White People
This document is intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen anti-racism work. If you haven’t engaged in anti-racism work in the past, start now.
The Science of Justice: Race, Arrests, and Police Use of Force
This report analyzes police administrative data to highlight racial disparities in the use of police force.
Being Antiracist, from the National Museum of African American History and Culture
A comprehensive guide to distinguish between being non-racist and anti-racist, and concrete strategies for doing so.
3. READ and WRITE to understand, reflect, and process together
Black Lives Matter: A Reading List
From Left Bank Books, this is a community curated list of books, poems, articles and blog posts that explore race, not only in St. Louis, but America as a whole. By no means a full comprehensive list, here are a few to get you started on the trail of understanding what's happening.
Button Poetry
Based in Minneapolis, MN, Button Poetry seeks to showcase the power and diversity of voices in our community. By encouraging and broadcasting the best and brightest performance poets of today, they hope to broaden poetry’s audience, to expand its reach and develop a greater level of cultural appreciation for the art form.
Black Voices Matter, from The Syndrome Magazine
As an ally and supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, the Syndrome Magazine believes that now is the time to pause our regular content and instead utilize this online space for anti-racism efforts. Black women/non-binary individuals are invited to submit their work – and they look forward to hearing from you.
Black Voices Series, from Puerto del Sol
The Black Voices Series believes that to fight cultural silencing and erasure there needs to be more spaces that provide visibility for black-authored work. Submit your poems, your essays, your fiction, and your multi-modal work.
I AM WOMAN - Experiences of Black Womanhood in America, from Spirit Harvest
Spirit Harvest is currently accepting essays, short stories, poems, prose, reflections, devotionals and prayers for the upcoming coffee table book, I AM WOMAN: Experiences of Black Womanhood in America. This book will be a collection of the written word in various forms accompanied by portraits of Black Women in their daily lives.
Black Women Writers, from BLF Press
BLF Press is seeking full-length manuscripts (40,000-80,000 words) from Black women writers. Poetry collections should be at least 50 pages. BLF Press is especially interested in literary fiction and short story collections.
We hope you find this compilation useful and that it offers some guidance in how to react in times that continue to leave many of us speechless. Please do what you can, whether that means offering financial assistance, your time, and/or your words.
We find it necessary in this moment to share a collection of organizations, resources, and literature to propel us forward in this movement, and we encourage you to share this message with someone you think needs to see it.
How Can I Help?
1. DONATE to support racial justice
Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
Official GoFundMe for the Floyd family.
Black Visions Collective
Since 2017, Black Visions Collective has been putting into practice the lessons learned from organizations before us in order to shape a political home for Black people across Minnesota. Black Visions Collective aims to center their work in healing and transformative justice principles, intentionally developing their organizations core “DNA” to ensure sustainability, and develop Minnesota’s emerging Black leadership to lead powerful campaigns.
Campaign Zero
Campaign Zero is an online platform and organization that utilizes research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America. Also use the "Find Your Rep" feature on their homepage to see where your local representatives stand on ending police violence and demand action.
Minneapolis Orgs Promoted by Reclaim the Block
Reclaim the Block began in 2018 and organizes Minneapolis community and city council members to move money from the police department into other areas of the city’s budget that truly promote community health and safety. Recently, it urged its contributors to support additional organizations in the local community.
Nationwide Bail Fund
Support protesters in your area. See a full directory of bail funds by state here.
Black Lives Matter
#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc. is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.
Color of Change
Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. Color of Change helps people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by 1.7 million members, they move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America.
The Movement for Black Lives
In response to the sustained and increasingly visible violence against Black communities in the U.S. and globally, a collective of more than 50 organizations representing thousands of Black people from across the country have come together with renewed energy and purpose to articulate a common vision and agenda.
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans.
2. As an ally, EDUCATE yourself and others
How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change
Former President Barack Obama's actionable plan for instigating change in the criminal justice system and police practices.
Anti-Racism Resources for White People
This document is intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen anti-racism work. If you haven’t engaged in anti-racism work in the past, start now.
The Science of Justice: Race, Arrests, and Police Use of Force
This report analyzes police administrative data to highlight racial disparities in the use of police force.
Being Antiracist, from the National Museum of African American History and Culture
A comprehensive guide to distinguish between being non-racist and anti-racist, and concrete strategies for doing so.
3. READ and WRITE to understand, reflect, and process together
Black Lives Matter: A Reading List
From Left Bank Books, this is a community curated list of books, poems, articles and blog posts that explore race, not only in St. Louis, but America as a whole. By no means a full comprehensive list, here are a few to get you started on the trail of understanding what's happening.
Button Poetry
Based in Minneapolis, MN, Button Poetry seeks to showcase the power and diversity of voices in our community. By encouraging and broadcasting the best and brightest performance poets of today, they hope to broaden poetry’s audience, to expand its reach and develop a greater level of cultural appreciation for the art form.
Black Voices Matter, from The Syndrome Magazine
As an ally and supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, the Syndrome Magazine believes that now is the time to pause our regular content and instead utilize this online space for anti-racism efforts. Black women/non-binary individuals are invited to submit their work – and they look forward to hearing from you.
Black Voices Series, from Puerto del Sol
The Black Voices Series believes that to fight cultural silencing and erasure there needs to be more spaces that provide visibility for black-authored work. Submit your poems, your essays, your fiction, and your multi-modal work.
I AM WOMAN - Experiences of Black Womanhood in America, from Spirit Harvest
Spirit Harvest is currently accepting essays, short stories, poems, prose, reflections, devotionals and prayers for the upcoming coffee table book, I AM WOMAN: Experiences of Black Womanhood in America. This book will be a collection of the written word in various forms accompanied by portraits of Black Women in their daily lives.
Black Women Writers, from BLF Press
BLF Press is seeking full-length manuscripts (40,000-80,000 words) from Black women writers. Poetry collections should be at least 50 pages. BLF Press is especially interested in literary fiction and short story collections.
We hope you find this compilation useful and that it offers some guidance in how to react in times that continue to leave many of us speechless. Please do what you can, whether that means offering financial assistance, your time, and/or your words.
