How to Fund Black Women

(Reposting from thehelm.co)

 

A resource guide on where to shop, fund, invest in, and learn about dismantling systemic racism.

 

 

BY NIKKI COATES

 

Combatting wealth inequality for Black Americans—reparations, investing in Black communities, and economic justice—is central to a path toward freedom. There is no racial justice without economic justice. And that means we have to step up.

As a small first step, we’ve compiled a resource guide of ways for you to shop, fund, invest in, and learn about dismantling systemic racism. Join us in doing and being better. Black Lives Matter.

Educate Yourself

Do not ask Black women for educational resources. Instead, buy these books, listen to these podcasts, and watch these films to learn how to dismantle racism and your own white privilege.

Books to Read

  • Black Looks: Race and Representation by bell hooks
    Black Looks is an essay collection that sharply critiques the way blackness and Black people have historically been stereotyped and portrayed in literature, music, television, and film. Through twelve essays, bell hooks, speaking to white people, in particular, unveils the significance of race and representation and condemns the general exploitation and appropriation of Black culture.
  • When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Asha Bandele, foreword by Angela Davis
    If you are looking to better understand the Black Lives Matter movement as well as the people who risk their lives by fighting for its behalf, then this memoir which details “what it means to be a Black woman in America” by the co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, Patrisse Khan-Cullors, and journalist Asha Bandele is a must-read.
  • Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper
    In Eloquent Rage, Brittney Cooper dismantles the misguided notion that a Black woman’s anger is a sign of weakness. Instead, she teaches readers about the difference between rage and respectability and demonstrates the way this ‘rage’ grants women with the strength to not only survive but thrive, in America.
  • Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad
    Originally an Instagram-challenge that went viral, Layla F. Saad presents a 28-day challenge that consists of a series of guided reflections regarding what racism is, the ways it continues to be embodied, and the way to begin reconstructing your relationship with white supremacy. Formatted as a workbook, Me and White Supremacy is an excellent starting point for those looking to dismantle their privilege and deconstruct their internalized racism.

Click here for our full list of book recommendations

Podcasts to Listen To

  • 1619 hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones
    An audio series examining the history of slavery in America, starting with the moment it all began: May 20, 1619, when a ship carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans arrived in the English colony of Virginia.
  • Pod Save the People co-hosted by Brittany Packnett Cunningham
    A weekly podcast reviewing news, culture, social justice, and politics while honing in on the (frequently overlooked) stories that impact people of color.
  • Pod for the Cause hosted by Ashley Allison
    Produced by The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights, this podcast discusses census, justice reform, fighting hate & bias, judicial nominations, fair courts, voting rights, and more with the aspiration of spurring activism among millennials of color and allies.
  • Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast hosted by Chevon and Hiba
    A discussion on race and pop culture as it relates to advancing racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture.
  • Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw
    A podcast hosted by the civil rights advocate and leading scholar of critical race theory who coined the term intersectionality. Each episode features Crenshaw in conversation with some of the world’s most innovative activists, artists, and scholars and explores a different topic through an intersectional lens.
  • Code Switch co-hosted and produced by Shereen Marisol Meraji
    A “fearless conversation about race” featuring several journalists of color discuss how race impacts every part of society, making every person a part of the conversation.
  • About Race hosted by Reni Eddo-Lodge
    From the author of the bestselling book Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race, this podcast delves into the recent history of America that has led to the political situation we are in today.

 Films to Watch

  • 13th directed and produced by Ava DuVernay
    A critically acclaimed documentary that explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, honing in on why the nation’s prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans.
  • When They See Us directed by Ava DuVernay
    A mini-series retelling the true story of the Central Park Five; a group of five black young men that in 1989 were falsely accused and subsequently charged with assaulting and raping a jogger in New York’s Central Park.
  • Selma directed by Ava DuVernay
    A film following the impactful 1965 civil rights demonstrations led by Martin Luther King Jr. which eventually resulted in President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
  • Clemency directed and screenplay by Chinonye Chukwu
    While this film at its surface chronicles the psychological toll on Warden Bernadine Williams carries from working as an executioner on the death row, at its core, it is a raw depiction of racism and injustice within the justice system.
  • Night Catches Us directed by Tanya Hamilton
    Set in Philadelphia in 1976, this film subtly yet powerfully portrays the era of the Black Panther Party and the black community writ large during that time.
  • Harriet directed by Kasi Lemmons
    A film chronicling the monumental life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman; from escaping slavery to “the dangerous missions she led to liberate hundreds of slaves through the Underground Railroad.”
  • Daughters of the Dust directed by Julie Dash
    A movie set in 1902, depicting three generations of Gullah women as they prepare to leave South Carolina, shedding light on the time period’s “Great Migration of African-Americans, survivors of slavery and the descendants of former slaves, to the North.”
  • Queen & Slim screenplay by Lena Waithe, directed by Melina Matsoukas
    A romantic thriller about a couple’s first date gone, it is a commentary on larger issues relating to the deep flaws in our justice system and police violence towards black people.
  • The Rosa Parks Story directed by Julie Dash
    A biopic telling of the life of the civil rights activist Rosa Parks, including how her decision to refuse to give up her bus seat ignited a major civil rights demonstration and greatly contributed to mobilizing people in the civil rights movement.

Additional Resources

Donate to these Funds & Organizations

Financial support is critical to movement building. Consider a one-time or recurring donation. 

  • ACLU (National)
    The ACLU Racial Justice Program aims to preserve and extend constitutionally guaranteed rights to people who have historically been denied their rights on the basis of race. DONATE 
  • Black Visions Collective (Minnesota)
    Black, Trans, and Queer led legal fund and social justice organization rooted in healing and transformative justice with a feminist lens; official chapter of Black Lives Matter Global Network in Minnesota. DONATE
  • Bail Funds (National)
    A collection of community resources for protestors around the country, created in conjunction with and verified by the National Bail Fund Network. DONATE
  • Color of Change
    The largest online racial justice organization in the country, it designs campaigns powerful enough to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back by moving decision-makers in corporations and government. DONATE
  • Equal Justice Initiative
    Committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society. DONATE
  • Fair Fight (National though Georgia-focused)
    Ensures fair elections and combats voter suppression. DONATE
  • Know Your Rights Campaign (National)
    Founded by Colin Kaepernick the organization provides education and training in black and brown communities, as well as hiring defense attorneys for anyone arrested protesting police brutality. DONATE
  • The Legal Rights Center (Minnesota)
    Provides criminal defense and legal services for low-income people of color in and around Minneapolis, including arrested protesters. DONATE
  • NAACP Legal Defense Fund
    America’s top legal–and first human and civil rights–firm fighting for racial justice through advocacy, litigation, and education. DONATE
  • Northstar Health Collective
    Medics for protesters. The group of nurses, doctors, and healthcare providers work in alliance with mainstream and anti-authoritarian organizations to create safe and healthy events. DONATE
  • Reclaim the Block (Minnesota)
    Invest in violence prevention, housing, resources for youth, emergency mental health response teams, and solutions to the opioid crisis. DONATE
  • The Movement for Black Lives (Atlanta)
    Comprised of hundreds of organizations that coordinate actions, messages, and campaigns, The Movement for Black Lives Fund supports Black-led rapid response efforts and long-term strategy, policy, and infrastructure investments in the movement ecosystem. DONATE
  • Unicorn Riot
    A decentralized media organization that has been live-streaming uprisings. DONATE.

Invest Directly in Companies Created and Owned by Black Founders

Invest in the companies which reflect the world you want to see. By joining one of these funds or syndicates, you can.

  • BLCK VC
    Co-founded by Sydney Sykes, BLCK VC connects, engages, and empowers Black venture investors by providing a community built for and by other Black venture investors. INVEST
  • Black Angel Tech Fund
    Committed to investing in promising young Black talent and bridging the gap between Black entrepreneurs and investors. INVEST
  • Digitalundivided
    Dedicated to making entrepreneurship and innovation more inclusive by investing in Black and Latinx women-led startups. INVEST
  • Fearless Fund
    Invests in WOC-led startups that are seeking pre-seed, seed level, and Series A financing. INVEST
  • New Voices Fund
    Created to empower women of color by helping startup founders from the ground up with dedicated training and support leading their companies to success. INVEST
  • Kapor Capital
    Deeply committed to investing in diverse entrepreneurs with early-stage startups whose business success generates positive change in the world. INVEST

Follow these Movement Builders

Learn from these activists (and donate to their own funding pages).

  • Aminatou Sou
    businesswoman, digital strategist, writer, podcast host, and co-founder of Tech LadyMafi
  • Angela Rye
    Attorney, Principal & CEO of IMPACT Strategies, and a liberal political commentator on CNN and NPR
  • Alicia Garza
    Civil rights activist and co-creator of Black Lives Matter
  • Blair Amadeus Imani
    queer African-American Muslim author and activist
  • Brittney Cooper
    Teacher, activist, cultural critic, and author of Eloquent Rage
  • Brittany Packnett
    National leader in social justice, co-founder of Campaign Zero, NBC News and MSNBC contributor, and co-host of Pod Save The People
  • dream hampton
    award-winning filmmaker, writer, and activist
  • Ericka Hart
    Black, queer, cancer-warrior, activist sexuality educator, and writer
  • Ijeoma Oluo
    Writer and author of So You Want to Talk About Race
  • Janet Mock
    Writer, television host, director, producer and transgender rights activist
  • Jamia Wilson
    movement builder, storyteller, feminist activist, and Executive Director & Publisher at Feminist Press
  • Jodie Patterson
    Active LGBTQAI advocate, social activist, and co-founder of Doobop and Georgia by Jodie Patterson
  • Layla Saad
    writer, speaker and podcast host on the topics of race, identity, leadership, personal transformation, and social change
  • Mari Copeny aka Little Miss Flint
    Youth activist from Flint, Michigan known for raising awareness about Flint’s ongoing water crisis and fundraising to support underprivileged children
  • Opal Tometi
    Civil rights activist and co-founder of Black Lives Matter
  • Rachel Cargle
    Educator, activist, and founder of The Loveland Foundation and The Great Unlearn
  • Roxanne Gay
    New York Times best-selling author, professor, editor, and social commentator
  • Tarana Burke
    Civil rights activist and founder of the “Me Too” Movement
  • Tamika Mallory
    Activist and Women’s March Co-chair
  • Zerlina Maxwell
    Host of Signal Boost, Senior Director of Progressive Programming for SiriusXM, political analyst, and author of The End of White Politics: How to Heal Our Liberal Divide

Shop these Black Women-Owned Businesses

Money is Power. How will you use yours? 

Brands carried by The Helm

Fashion

  • Rebecca Allen founded by Rebecca Allen
  • Liberté founded by Amber Tolliver
  • ASHYA founded by Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece
  • Coco & Breezy founded by Corianna (“Coco”) and Brianna (“Breezy”) Dotson

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