18 Ways That You Can Actively Support The Black Community No Matter Where You're From
Black lives matter.
Seeing individuals become victims of racial profiling, police brutality, and acts of violence in the US, it’s easy to feel helpless – particularly when you live elsewhere. Protests have broken out throughout the world, people are openly speaking out on social media about racial issues, and the petition for Justice For George Floyd alone has reached over 11 million signatures – and counting!
These are just some of the positive steps being taken in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and you can continue to show your support and solidarity no matter where in the world you live, and whatever your ethnicity. We’ve compiled a list of some of the amazing organisations, fundraisers, and social platforms that you can support and share, along with other ways you can help:
You can support each of these organisations from the UK or anywhere else in the world:
1. George Floyd Memorial Fund
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Set up by George's brother Philonise, the fundraising page was established to cover all funeral expenses, to assist the family with mental and grief counselling as well as lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to fund the care and education of his children.
You can help by donating here, and signing the petition for justice here, and reading about his story here.
CORRECTION: the page is run by George Floyd's brother, a previous version of this article stated it was run by his sister.
2. Black Visions Collective
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A queer and trans black-centred social justice organisation and legal fund dedicated to a long-term vision in which "all black lives not only matter, but are able to thrive".
You can help by donating here, and learning more about them on their website and Instagram.
3. Reclaim The Block
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A Minneapolis-based organisation that's dedicated to moving funds from the police department to other areas of the city's budget that promote the health and safety of the whole community.
You can help by signing the petition here, downloading and sharing their helpful resources here, and donating here.
4. Northstar Health Collective
A Minneapolis-based organisation that provides health services and support for people while protesting.
You can help by donating here.
5. R.I.P Belly Mujinga
A fundraising page originally set up to cover funeral costs, but with continued support is now collecting donations to support Belly's family – in particular her 11-year-old daughter.
You can help by donating here, singing the petition to secure protection and support for those working at GTR here, and reading about her story here.
6. I Run With Maud
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7. Fight For Breonna
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8. Black Lives Matter Greater NY
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An organisation that assists, builds, and empowers black communities in greater New York, focusing on criminal justice reform, basic public safety, and fair and equal access to education, jobs, and infrastructure.
You can help by donating here.
9. The Bail Project
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A revolving bail fund which secures freedom for incarcerated individuals who are unable to reach bail on their own. The money is able to be reused once a client's case has ended and the fund has helped over 10,000 people already.
You can help by donating here.
10. Pride Fund
A political action committee that work towards helping policies and reforms to end gun violence in America while championing LGBTQ safety and equality.
You can help by donating here.
11. Gas Mask Fund
Black youth in Minneapolis are fundraising for military grade gas masks. y’all know what to do.
A Minneapolis-based fund that's raising money to buy gas masks for activists who have faced tear gas during protests.
You can help by donating here.
12. Campaign Zero
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An organisation that works to enforce comprehensive solutions to police violence in America, e.g. via community representation in the workforce, and ending the policing of minor offences that are often used to target members of black communities.
You can help by donating here.
Other ways you can continue to show your support:
✨ There are lots of great social pages that you can follow to increase your knowledge – e.g. @seasonedbf, @hellamelanin, cocoabutter, and galdemzine, who find a balance between spreading positivity and highlighting important race issues.
✨ Show your support and solidarity through liking, sharing, and posting information as it comes your way – you never know who might benefit from seeing it!
✨ Support black artists and creators and give them credit where it’s due – especially if you’re sharing their work as a means to get across a message that probably means a lot to them.
✨ Protest – safely – if you’re able to!
✨ And if you’re not able to then you can show your solidarity by kneeling at home and posting it on social media to spread the message.
✨ If you don’t feel informed enough to take a stance on racial issues then you can educate yourself – these books are a great place to start.