Black History Month 2020: Advancement Project Honors Black Futures - Advancement Project - Advancement Project

Black History Month 2020: Advancement Project Honors Black Futures

#BlackFutures Header

Today marks the first day of Black History Month! Never has it been so important to recognize and honor the contributions made by people of color to America. We are in a particularly meaningful year—a year that will determine so much of our future as a nation and as a people.

The future is determined by what we do each day. For this Black History Month, Advancement Project National Office is uplifting those who seize the moment to create a better future for us and our organizational partners, who work diligently every day to create a better future for all of us.  And that is why we’re honoring Black Futures during Black History Month by encouraging you to take part in helping shape OUR future in this nation as we head into the 2020 election.

The Power in Our Democracy

Feb. 3, 2020, marks the 150th Anniversary of the ratification of the 15th Amendment, which granted Black men the right to vote. The amendment transformed the nation’s electoral landscape and allowed Black communities to build political power. The courageous act of re-imagining the future for Black Americans was met with racial violence. And just like today, white supremacists are working hard to disenfranchise people of color. As Gilda Daniels, Advancement Project National Office’s Litigation Director, says in her new book Uncounted, “Despite advocates’ best efforts, the battle to vote marches on.” It is why we are committed to ensuring Black communities can shape their collective future by voting in this year’s upcoming election. Check your voter registration status at Vote.org and encourage your family and friends to check and to prepare for the 2020 elections.

The Future of America

The work to fight for a fair and just democracy also includes fighting for the safety of Black and Brown migrants. This year, the public charge rule enforced by the current presidential administration could determine what the electorate and what the demographics of America will be in the future. Our partners, UndocuBlack and Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) are doing the work this month to ensure Black and Brown migrants have a voice in this democracy.

Fair and Just Education For Us All

Our Ending the Schoolhouse-to-Jailhouse Track Program (STJ) will highlight how Black and Brown lives are disproportionately impacted by school policing. STJ will also explain how you can support the futures of Black and Brown youth by joining the campaign for #PoliceFreeSchools and utilizing school board elections to make sure your voices are heard. Stay connected with our #policefreeschools campaign to ensure that our young people have a bright future here.

An Abolitionist Future

Black, bright futures are possible with the absence of jail and prison bars, bail, and blight. That’s why we are in Michigan, St. Louis, Florida, Louisiana, and Wisconsin fighting to end mass incarceration and pre-trial detention and working with communities to reinvest in communities disproportionately impacted by these counterproductive institutions.

While for America, Black history is acknowledged in February, we at Advancement Project National Office strive to celebrate, uplift, and root for the past, present and future Black history makes every day.

If you’re committed to the continued fight for a more just democracy, on the foundation our ancestors built, you can donate here.

We are history in the making.

KEEP READING

“Rest Easy, Baba”—Advancement Project Remembers Bob Moses

Yesterday, civil rights champion Bob Moses, a civil rights leader and crusader for social justice and education, passed away at the age of 86. 

Read More
Advancement Project National Office Applauds Introduction, Urges Passage of S. 1 to Protect Voting Rights of Communities of Color

MEDIA CONTACT Jeralyn Cave [email protected] 202-921-7321 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate introduced S. 1 – the For the People Act of 2021—a pro-democracy piece of legislation that aims to protect and strengthen access to voting, blunts the influence of dark money in politics and establishes anti-corruption measures for government. Advancement Project National Office, a 21st century civil rights and racial justice organization released the following statement. “Right now, at least 43 states have advanced legislation making it harder to vote on the heels of a historic election that saw record voter turnout,”…

Read More
Advancement Project National Office Condemns Atlanta Shooting and Racism, Violence Toward AAPI Community

MEDIA CONTACT Alex Jordan [email protected] WASHINGTON – This morning, in response to the shooting of eight people in Atlanta last night—six of whom were Asian American women—Advancement Project National Office’s Executive Director Judith Browne Dianis issued the following statement: “We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the individuals who were killed last night—and we express our solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islanders who have expressed righteous outrage and fear about this incident and the alarming spike in violence against Asian Americans over the last year. “This country has a long, sordid…

Read More
20 Ways Black People Made History in 2020

By Brittney Johnson, Communications Intern As we celebrate another Black History Month, we reflect on the milestones and accomplishments of Black Americans. From the ringing bells of Emancipation to the Civil Rights Movement, to the election of the first Black president, we continue to make history and move mountains despite the odds against us. For starters, 2020 was a tough year. Not only because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also because of the multiple lives we lost to police brutality, social injustice and racial inequality. BUT, 2020 also brought many historic moments for the Black community as we pushed for…

Read More
STATEMENT: Osceola Sheriff’s deputy viciously assaults student, underscoring urgency in call for #PoliceFreeSchools

After a year of #PoliceFreeSchools wins in cities nationwide, Advancement Project National Office and Alliance for Educational Justice respond to recent #AssaultAtLiberty

Read More
Advancement Project National Office Issues Statement on President Biden’s Executive Orders Addressing Racial Equity

“We acknowledge and commend the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to make racial equality a legislative priority and center piece to their agenda."

Read More
Leading Civil Rights Groups Call on President Biden to Create White House Racial Equity and Inclusion Office

CONTACT Jessica Sarstedt Email: [email protected] WASHINGTON, DC—In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, historic racial justice protests, and unprecedented commitment by the executive office to confront systemic racism, the Racial Equity Anchor Collaborative—the foremost diverse coalition of national racial justice and civil rights organizations representing and serving more than 53 million people in the U.S.—is pushing for racial equity to be at the forefront of government operations, policies and practices. The coalition calls on President Joe Biden to establish a White House Office on Racial Equity and Inclusion to coordinate the full range of federal agency…

Read More
Healing Communities of Color Beyond Wellness

By Flavia Jimenez, Managing Director of Organizational Development & Leadership We are our only relevant hope We are our only possible medicine –what is unveiled? the founding wound  by Adrienne Maree Brown When organizations discuss plans to address the impact that systemic racism and the violence of white supremacy have on staff, we often lack the language to openly discuss viable options. Perhaps it is because the wounds are too deep and too raw. Where do we even begin to bring a framework to folks who live and work with the pain? What do we do about…

Read More
Advancement Project National Office Applauds Nomination of Civil Rights Leaders to Biden-Harris U.S. Department of Justice

“Vanita Gupta and Kristen Clarke are formative civil rights leaders with decades of experience fighting discrimination, ensuring equity and safeguarding all Americans."

Read More