Anti-Racist Resources: A Living List
Azuka friends and family –
As protests following the killing of George Floyd; calls for the arrest of Breonna Taylor’s murderers; and pressure for thorough systemic reform continue across the country, we recognize how essential it is that we not lose momentum. Media coverage may ebb and flow, but the work must continue. Via Azuka’s social media or email, you may have seen some educational and anti-racist resources that we have collected to further not only conversations about race, but direct and actionable anti-racist change. Here you’ll find a living list of such resources, to help Educate, Donate, Advocate, and Support. As we update the list, we will continue to share more with you.
Thousands of protestors gathered at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and marched down the Ben Franklin Parkway on June 6. (Kimberly Paynter / /WHYY)
EDUCATE
Anti-Racism for White People Google Doc
This comprehensive document contains article and podcast recommendations, book and watch lists, organizations to follow, and other educational resources for white folx seeking to become actively anti-racist.
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
Started as an Instagram challenge in 2018, author Layla F. Saad has since turned Me and White Supremacy into an anti-racist workbook divided into 28 chapters, each educating on an aspect of white supremacy, such as tone policing, optical allyship, and different forms of anti-Blackness.
Resources from Black Alliance for Just Immigration
The Black Alliance for Just Immigration (find them under Donate) provides educational reports on Black immigration issues, such as "Black Lives at the Border."
The Atlantic: How Did We Get Here?
The Atlantic's collection of both archival and current articles on race and racism, from 1857 to today. Read “An Appeal to Congress for Impartial Suffrage” by Frederick Douglass, or “Stop Blaming Black People for Dying of the Coronavirus” by Ibram X. Kendi.
An award-winning nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization highlighting systemic injustice in the criminal justice system, The Marshall Project provides a “curated collection of links” to topics that include police abolition and tactics, and the Department of Justice.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s “Talking About Race” web portal
There are over 100 educational resources accessible for free through the “Talking About Race” portal, directed at parents, educators, and anyone committed to equity and allyship, from scholarly articles on “How Young Children Learn Race” to videos on the historical foundations of race.
DONATE
A List from Philadelphia Bail Fund
Following the protests in Philly, Philadelphia Bail Fund received an incredible $2.4 million in donations, and has encouraged that donations be directed to other organizations; they compiled a comprehensive list on their Twitter, including local resources such as The Pennsylvania Prison Society.
BAJI (Black Alliance for Just Immigration)
BAJI is a national organization that educates and engages African American and Black immigrant communities to organize and advocate for racial, social and economic justice. A partner of Black Lives Matter.
Founded in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, Black Lives matter seeks to “eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.”
Philly’s local chapter of Black Lives Matter.
A local Philly grassroots organization seeking to eliminate white supremacy and police terror; their website contains a Resource Guide of local humanitarian food, medical, legal, and housing services in the interest of funding community before police.
Reclaim the Block seeks to defund the police in Minneapolis – the site of George Floyd’s killing – and invest more money in community-led violence prevention such as mental healthcare, social work, and housing justice.
Youth Art and Self-Empowerment Project
YASP is a local project that combines social justice with art to give incarcerated young people in Philadelphia outlets for creative expression, hoping to develop leaders both within and beyond prison walls.
ADVOCATE
26 Ways to Be in the Struggle Beyond the Streets
A list of alternative advocacy methods beyond protesting, such as amplifying Black voices and educating others.
Black Main Line Speaks is a collection of stories of racism from within Philadelphia Main Line schools, submitted by Black students. The stories can be found on their Instagram account linked above, while their website provides resources and opportunities to get involved, such as petitions and public forums.
Philly We Rise is a local advocacy force for defunding the police in Philadelphia.
A site in response to the killing of Breonna Taylor by the police with information on her and the case, as well as links to petition and make calls for the arrest of her murderers.
SUPPORT
20 Black-Owned Shops and Boutiques in Philadelphia
This article from Visit Philly lists just a handful of other Black-owned businesses in the community to support.
Black-Owned Independent Bookstores
Lithub is one of many sources that has compiled a list of international Black-owned bookstores accepting orders – a great alternative to Amazon or chains for finding anti-racist educational literature.
Black-Owned Restaurants and Pop-Ups in Philadelphia
This document contains a list of Black-owned restaurants local to Philly folx to support. For those outside of Philly, many similar lists for other cities have been published, collected here by Bon Appétit.
Over 300 Philadelphia Black-Owned Businesses
Philly Magazine compiled this list of hundreds of Black-owned businesses. It includes an interactive map to find businesses in your area, whether you’re in Fishtown, Center City, West Philly, or beyond.
A nearly century-old movie house and performance venue with a rich history of vaudeville, jazz, R&B — as well as civil rights activism — that ultimately fell into disrepair and has been actively campaigning to renovate and revitalize for a new generation with programs like Uptown Youth Got Talent. Also visit Uptown’s GoFundMe.
Created in 2013, Theatre in the X provides West Philadelphians “and the African American community at large the opportunity to see professional quality theater in their own neighborhood for no cost”, being trailblazers of accessible, Black-owned theater in Philly.
The Village is a North Philadelphia community-rooted nonprofit providing “arts-based opportunities for self-expression and personal success that engage youth and their families, revitalize physical space, and preserve black heritage”, including through their 15 art parks, after-school and summer programs, re-entry services, and more.