Yesterday evening, in the moments before a Minneapolis jury read their verdict declaring that George Floyd had indeed been murdered by Dereck Chauvin, 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant—in need of help in so many ways—was shot four times and killed by a Columbus police officer.

The pain and grief are endless. We will not have peace until we achieve justice.

Each and every one of us must not only declare that Black Lives Matter, but also back up these words with actions.

At Brooklyn Community Foundation, we believe that the way forward is following the leadership of communities who hold the vision and roadmap for a better world.

This spring, through our Brooklyn COVID-19 Response Fund, we committed $2.5 million to dismantle the unjust systems and policies that deeply harm Black, indigenous, and other communities of color. The same racist systems that perpetuate police violence are also responsible for the incredibly disparate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community-led Social Change grants will support advocacy, community organizing, coalition building, and other strategies that promote grassroots power, especially those with origins in resistance movements of Black, indigenous, and other communities of color. Nonprofits can apply for support until May 7, 2021. 

Together, we will create change. Here are a few ways you can join us and take action today:
 

• Hear from community leaders about how they’re advocating for critical policy and systems change in our Change Starts Here webinar series
   

• Learn more about the second phase of our Brooklyn COVID-19 Response Fund
   

• Explore a list of our community partners leading the fight for racial justice in Brooklyn
   

In Community,

Cecilia Clarke
President & CEO
Brooklyn Community Foundation

Image courtesy of Jeremy Amar