Program areas at Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation
Frontline organizing - we are partnering with on-the-ground leaders and organizations at the local level that center abolitionist principles and are building radical Black organizing models rooted in Black power, self-determination and support of system impacted families. We are helping to keep abolitionist frontline organizers and activists safe by providing security services (both digital and physical) for them. White supremacists and aligned organizations represent a threat to organizers and activists and our mission will not be accomplished if these freedom fighters are not kept safe.
Culture - we are uplifting and investing in Black culture that propels us to dream big and create the community we want and need to flourish, grow, and thrive. For example, "the Black Lives Matter joy experience" is a cultural intervention that forces people to acknowledge the power of joy. Without joy, we won't achieve liberation. Without joy, we won't survive. Without joy, we will never heal. And without joy, we can't love radically. But through the experience of Black joy, we will conjure up dreams of freedom that our ancestors will be proud of and that propel us closer to our desired Global society.
Arts program - we are concentrating on the nexus of art and activism in pursuit of Black liberation and the preservation and protection of Black creativity. We support emerging and established individual Black artists and organizations who are in solidarity with marginalized communities. In addition to uplifting the voices of the Black arts community, this program serves as a connection point to provide art exposure and education for communities that are often left out, particularly for youth. Through this program, we have purchased a property that has a production studio and office/communal spaces that serves as our artistic headquarters and allows us to effectively meet our programmatic objectives, including: creating cutting edge content about abolition and our well-being, convene established and emerging leaders in the Global arts community; run art activations, create and curate artistic performances (film, television, theater, etc. ); and run an ambassador and fellowship program to reach new audiences.
Healing justice - we are building a community of healing and nurturing ecosystems that support Black communities impacted by oppressive structures and injustice. To that end, we are creating Global initiatives that build coalitions amongst community activists, leaders, and organizers; and supporting the work of organizations as they support black-led and intersectional movement work locally and internationally, by building capacity, infrastructure, membership, and presence; providing seed funding; developing programming; providing trainings; and providing public relations, and communications.
Research & education - we are investing in modern-day research and education focusing on abolitionist frameworks and curriculum around Black history, identity, and Black futures. We are leading public education campaigns to improve and change the material conditions for Black people (which will undoubtedly have positive impacts for all people), through investing in other people and organizations conducting research, in person activations, traditional and digital communications, and other multimedia campaigns focusing on racial injustice, police brutality, criminal legal transformations, Black immigration, economic injustice, lgbtqia+ and human rights, environmental injustice, access to healthcare, access to quality education, and voting rights and suppression. This program includes partnering with Black students and their campus communities across the country.
Policy - we are intervening on existing and new policies that reimagine a world without punitive measures and create a world where Black people have all that we need: food, education, housing, health care, clean water, breathable air, and everything that is foundational to personal and community safety. This program includes non-partisan voter education campaigns.