Faye Kennedy
I recently attended a working conference in Chicago, and one of the sessions stressed the role of non-profits in addressing social justice issues. This caused me to reflect on Sacramento’s rich legacy of Black non-profits.
Local writer and historian, Grace Carter Douglas in her book, The Griot: The Anthology of African Necromancers, outlines the efforts and achievements of Black folks as they organized in the 19th and 20th centuries to provide services and to fight social injustice.We founded mutual aid societies, sororities, fraternities, raised money through giving circles, held rent parties, and in a variety of other ways formed our own social service networks that doubled as organized fighters against social injustice.
Currently, there are many non-profit organizations that focus on social activism and address injustices. A few that have answered this call in the spirit of our ancestors are briefly described here. This gives us the opportunity to step-up to support these organizations with financial support, time, and energy.
Black Parallel School Board (BPSB), was created to act as a voice for students and their parents in their interactions with the Sacramento Unified School District. The mission: advocacy and social justice for students.
Black Parallel School Board
Black Lives Matter (BLM), shines a light on police killings of unarmed citizens, and lobbies for accountability of the police and law enforcement to the communities they are to serve. The mission: advocacy and social justice to combat police brutality.
Black Lives Matter
Vision 2000 Educational Foundation (VEF), conducts a summer college prep math and reading academy for public school students, and provides after school tutoring in math, reading, and writing. The mission: advocacy and educational excellence for students.
Vision 2000 Educational Foundation
Roberts Family Development Center (RFDC), provides holistic services centered on children and families. The center provides early childhood activities and parental education that include financial and technological literacy. The mission: advocacy for families and communities.
Roberts Family Development Center
Yes–in the spirit and words of our ancestors, “we got work to do!” Please support Black non-profits and community-based groups with your time, talent, and treasure.
Submitted by Contributing Writer, Faye Kennedy
