14 Black social justice organizations to support right now

As millions of people pour out onto the streets of cities across the U.S. to protest the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who needlessly died at the hands of a white police officer who knelt on his neck, many of us are looking for ways we can show our support.

The incident, which occurred last Monday, May 25th, was just one of a string of similar situations to make headlines in recent months and shows a more than troubling pattern in our criminal justice system—that it targets Black people disproportionately, and often results in unnecessary violence. As such, allies and activists are looking for ways to enact real, widespread change.

Participating in protests is one option, but since not everyone is able to do that, you can also help out the organizations doing real, meaningful work toward eradicating the many injustices that Black people face on a regular basis. This includes groups that are assisting with bail for protesters, empowering Black and Brown communities, and collectively working to end police brutality in communities nationwide.

If you are in a position to give, consider contributing to these Black social justice organizations.

Black social justice organizations you can support right now:

1The Bail Project

The Bail Project works to prevent mass incarceration and combat racial and economic disparities in the bail system.  Through donations, the organization pays bail for people in need, working to reunite families and resume the presumption of innocence. By collaborating with local community partners, stakeholders, and public defenders, the organization works toward bail reform.

You can support The Bail Project by donating.

2Black Visions Collective

Based in Minneapolis-St. Paul (where Floyd’s death took place), Black Visions Collective is a black, trans, and queer-led social justice organization is committed to dismantling systems of oppression and violence by providing resources, education, and legal funds to those in need.

You can support Black Visions Collective by donating.

3Communities United Against Police Brutality

Communities United Against Against Police Brutalist (CUAPB) takes on the issue of police violence by offering assistance to individuals and families who are dealing with the effects of police brutality and offers a 24-hour crisis line (612-874-STOP) that people can call to report instances of abuse. Additionally, the organization works toward political action to bring about changes in laws, policies, and practices that allow police brutality to occur and educates communities about their rights within the justice system.

You can support CUAPB by donating.

4The NAACP

Founded in 1908, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is one of the oldest and largest civil rights organizations, with a storied history of working toward political, social, and economic equality for Black people. With nearly half a million members leading grassroots campaigns, the NAACP has an incredible record of spearheading change—including lobbying for the passage of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1964, and 1968, and the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

More recently, the NAACP’s mission for the 21st century has been outlined in its six “Game Changers,” which its website describes as “economic sustainability, education, health, public safety and criminal justice, voting right and political representation, and expanding youth and young adult engagement.”

You can contribute to the NAACP’s efforts by either becoming a member to one of the organization’s local units or donating. You can also donate to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

5Black Lives Matter

Your support of Black people is null and void if you’re unable to acknowledge the fact that Black people are disproportionately subjected to violence and brutality at the hands of police.

Black Lives Matter (BLM) was formed in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi as a direct response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin. It has since become a standout example of digital activism, spawning a viral hashtag and becoming a national movement with more than 40 chapters across the country, all with the goal of intervening in police violence against Black people and affirming the importance of Black lives.

You can support Black Lives Matter by donating or getting involved with a local chapter in your city.

6The Trayvon Martin Foundation

After losing their son Trayvon Martin in 2012 to gun violence, parents Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin started this non-profit organization to help other families deal with the emotional and financial fallout of losing a child to similar circumstances. With the backing of members and several companies, the organization is seeking to shift conversations toward reforming gun policy, while providing support, leadership, and counseling to affected families.

To support the Trayvon Martin Foundation, you can volunteer for one of its many events or programs—like the Scholarship Expansion Program, or the Medical Mentorship Program—or donate.

7INCITE!

Starting as a conference in 2000, the founders of INCITE! came together with the goal of ending violence surrounding women of color in all its forms, including mass incarceration, attacks on immigrants, threats to reproductive rights, and hate crimes against queer women of color. Now, the organization offers resources for WOC looking to fight police brutality in their communities, stop the unjust imprisonment of Black people, end gender and race violence, and combat sexual assault in the military.

You can get involved by utilizing these organizing resources, or donating to INCITE!

8Black Youth Project

The Black Youth Project (BYP) aims to examine the attitudes and culture of young, urban, Black millennials and explore how these factors impact their lives.

BYP conducts research, creates social initiatives, and publishes editorial content written by Black millennials in the areas of race, culture, gender, and sexuality.

To support BYP’s mission, you can donate or contribute content.

9Black Women’s Blueprint

Formed to draw attention to how the intersectionality of race and gender should be considered when examining greater social justice concerns, the Black Women’s Blueprint is currently working toward research and policy advocacy that can address the struggles of Black women within their community. Some of the many resources it offers are corporate and community trainings through its Institute for Gender and Cultural Competence to educate the public on the prevention and intervention against gender violence, along with webinars to address how sexual abuse can impact a woman’s health.

To support Black Women’s Blueprint, you can become a member or donate. 

10Trans Women of Color Collective

Conversations about the violence that threatens Black lives often fail to spotlight Black women and femmes, and trans people are especially at risk. Indeed, 2018 was dubbed one of the most violent years for those who identify as transgender—and 82% of the trans people murdered were women of color.

The Trans Women of Color Collective (TWOCC) works to provide access, opportunities, and a supportive community for trans and gender non-conforming people of color, but especially Black trans women and femmes.

The organization has three different funds that accept donations: survival, education, and wellness.

11Audre Lorde Project

Audre Lorde Project (ALP) is a New York-based organization that focuses on community organizing for LGBTQ+ individuals of color.

Since 1994, the organization has worked to address the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community through mobilization, education, community wellness, and social justice initiatives.

You can support ALP by donating, volunteering, or becoming a member.

12Sister Love

Established in 1989 by Dázon Dixon Diallo, a public health expert, Sister Love is the first women’s HIV/AIDS and reproductive justice organization in the southeastern U.S.

The Atlanta-based organization and its staff, which mainly consists of Black women, provides preventive education and outreach to help women of color fight against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. One of the group’s initiatives includes a coalition of women’s health advocates and health care providers who work to educate and provide access to PrEp for women of color.

Sister Love accepts volunteers and interns who want to help support its mission.

13Black Girls Code

Black Girls Code (BGC) is on a mission to get more Black women working in computer programming, a field in which they are chronically underrepresented.

Since 2011, the organization has brought workshops and after-school programs to various communities to provide computer coding lessons to young girls. And BGC hopes to teach one million Black girls how to code by the year 2040.

You can help BGC reach its goal by donating or volunteering your time.

14Black Alliance For Just Immigration

At a time when our government has adopted a decidedly anti-immigrant rhetoric, an organization like the Black Alliance For Just Immigration (BAJI) is working to unite Black immigrants and African Americans.

The organization seeks to build community among all members of the African diaspora by encouraging Black immigrants and African Americans to work together to achieve social and economic justice.

Founded in 2006, BAJI organizes dialogues between members of the diaspora and has initiated campaigns in places like New York, Georgia, California, and Arizona.

Outside of attending local events, you can support BAJI by donating or purchasing some of its merchandise.