Last week I promised to use my weekend guides as a resource to get involved in this pinnacle part of history that is necessarily enveloping our borough. Because there is the need to feel this, to act, to show support, to come together to form a new reality and to force this country to change the social fabric that we have been accepting for way too long.
I will continue to update this post with new information, and to provide weekly events that support the Black Lives Matter movement in all its facets, and for the month of July, those that highlight and support the continued mission of the LGBTQ community.
So use this as a resource. Decide what you feel led to do. Find the best way to memorialize, to speak out and to show your city and country that this is unacceptable. But make sure you do something and feel something. This might be the most historic time we live through- so let’s actively live in it.
Here are the ways you should get involved this weekend and for the foreseeable future, until we create a future we want to live in.
Check your neighborhood for protests.
In the words of Marsha P Johnson, an African-American LGBT Rights Activist, “No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.”
First, make sure you’re prepared.
The police have been aggressively arresting peaceful protestors for a number of reasons, forcing hundreds to spend the night in cramped jail cells nightly, confiscating their phones and belongings (forcing many to have their bikes inevitably stolen) and completely dismissing the threat of COVID-19. Know your rights and be prepared by reading this first. And then, let your voice be heard.
Neighborhood Protest Resources
Bushwick – @assemblywomandavila. At Maria Hernandez Park and Bushwick Daily for daily protest updates.
Greenpoint – @greenpointers for info on vigil’s at McCarren Park and where to head from there.
Williamsburg – @yeswilliamsburg nightly marches leaving from McCarren.
Jamaica, Queens – at Council Member Adrienne Adam’s Office
For everything else, follow @justiceforgeorgenyc
Or use this full map of Protests for George Floyd, worldwide.
Do some research and then donate to help support the cause that speaks to you.
Support and Donate to SATC Campaign for NAACP Foundation
Black Lives Matter Prints by local artist Eva Woolridge, all proceeds go to Bail Out Funds
Make Calls for George – 612.324.4499
Donate to Breonna Taylor‘s family’s GoFundMe here.
And sign Breonna’s petition here.
Support the 15 Percent Pledge – @15percentpledge to help black-owned businesses survive
Look through this very thorough list of Racial Justice Organizations and Resources
Sign Petitions here.
Make the Call – Follow these to make calls for change.
Donate to the cause that speaks to you – blacklivesmatters/donate
Black Women’s Blueprint – Support equality and opportunity for every black woman – @blackwomensblueprint
And see so many more resources HERE and HERE.
Check out these Local Events and Businesses who are Supporting the Movement
Archestratus Fire Wall Community Cookbook
I cannot applaud Paige enough for always evolving and being a prominent voice in our community and city, as a business owner and entrepreneur. She pivoted flawlessly when the pandemic hit by turning her cookbook store/cafe into a contactless-marketplace with lines around the block, and now to help bring us all closer and to focus on the burning issues affecting us all right now, she’ll be publishing “Fire Walk With Us”, the first volume of a community-built cookbook and zine to expose current issues and generate conversation and recipes, with all proceeds going to Black Lives Matter. In her words – “Historically, pamphlets were used as a weapon to inspire much needed political disorder. Let us use OUR pamphlets to create a new system, a new model for investment, and let it also serve as a public space where we take care of everyone” This will be an ongoing project, always donating to BLM. Read more details here and submit your words and recipe to support this movement.
Stylist Anthony Payne wants to make you look and feel better.
Because we’re all gettin’ realllll scraggly, local hair magician Anthony Payne has moved his salon beneath the Williamsburg Bridge until we reach whatever phase allows us to get haircuts again… so support this amazing artist and entrepreneur and look better while doing it. Oh, and, he’s donating 100% of your donation-based payment to Black Lives Matter. Look better, feel better, do better. Then go march. Info here.
Watch Thee Debauchery Ball with Sol Cinema Cafe
Our favorite black-owned cinema in the city is bringing the debauchery to your house this weekend. They’ll be showing this film, a documentary that celebrates black lives sexuality and house music, plus hosting DJs all weekend to help you #revelwithacause – they’ll be donating to help multiple facets of the BLM movement. Tickets and schedule here.
Esme To-Go, all weekend- for a cause.
Local darling Esme immediately pivoted to provide meals for essential workers immediately when the pandemic hit, but felt led to open up their doors last Sunday to provide the community with fried chicken and signature sides with all proceeds going to organizations supporting Police Reform, Legal Counsel and the health of the Black Community. They raised over $11,000 last Sunday alone and have set a goal for this weekend of $50,000- help them get there. They’ll be open for to-go starting Thursday and will be donating 100% of proceeds on Sundays, all month. Info here.
Achilles heel might be the place I miss being inside the most. Somehow, they’re still delivering the warm, comforting feeling of sitting at the bar, sipping red wine out of a juice glass and sampling a few adventurous small plates with one of my favorite to-go menus and donating 25% of all profits to @campaignzero which not only is a substantial sacrifice given the unreliability of restaurant business right now, but it’s one that’s guarantee to taste damn good. Check out their weekend menu here https://www.instagram.com/achillesheelbk/ and don’t forget to throw in a few bottled cocktails.
Show your Pride Saturday with The Carry Nation
The Carry Nation will be returning for their Good Room residency in your living room! They’ll be hosting a saucy little competition as they face-off against Fatherhood in a DJ-dance party that will have you lip-synching and moving and grooving for 9 hours this Saturday. And if you think you don’t have it in you, you do- you’re in quarantine. You have the energy. And plus, all proceeds from the event will raise money for G.L.I.T.S., an organization that provides housing for the black-trans community. So #revelwithacause and show your pride and power this Saturday night. Info here.
Protest and Party with House of Yes
Stop by House of Yes this weekend to make signs for rallies & protests! They’ll provide materials, just wear a mask and practice social distancing. They’ll also have some legendary HOY decor for sale, and all the proceeds from the sale will be donated to Loveland Foundation’s Therapy For Black Girls initiative. Then march along with them to feel the pride and power of this movement. Keep the party going Saturday night with @soulsummitmusic spinning via the virtual club.
Score Some Vintage Finds for a Cause
Dusty Rose Vintage is allowing one customer at a time to browse through their bins of pure magic, this neighborhood mainstay of vintage discoveries will be donating 20% of sales will go to @eij_org, an organization working to end mass incarceration, excessive punishment and racial inequality. So go find some threads that will make you stand a little taller as you march this weekend.
Picnic in multiple parks, for a cause.
You know you’ll be picnicking in the park this weekend, and if you’re not getting ham (and other fine charcuterie and cheeses) first at &Sons and heading to Prospect Park, then sign up to have a Hampton Water picnic. This fancy little rose has teamed up with Versa NYC to be delivering you the picnic of your dreams (or at least one that will impress your friends) and donating a portion of their proceeds to The Bail Project and No Child Left Hungry. Choose your picnic and your park and #revelwithacause this weekend
Take a Look at your Life
Having trouble finding your role in all of this? Use this AMAZING resource to understand how to best use your talents and energy for change.
Seek out the resources we can use to support black-owned businesses.
Source books from your local bookshop or library that will help us understand racism.
Follow these activists and groups that we can follow to help change our influences and thus our conversations- @mspackyetti @nowhitesaviors @soulsummitmusic @yourrightscamp @btfacollective @changethenypd
Examine the small and big changes can we make in our lives, in our social circles, and in our everyday interactions.
Let’s listen to some of our favorite local partners on how they are speaking up and reacting to help us understand how to help. Our friends at House of Yes, The Infatuation, Nowadays, and Archestratus. Make sure that the resources we rely on are doing more to help us all move forward.
I promise to use my voice to help promote and elevate black-owned businesses and voices, and not to let this conversation end until there is change; actual change. I pledge to be a resource to help promote and protect this movement. Here is a reflective piece I wrote about our understandings of cities during times of distress and necessary unrest in an effort to capture this confusion and compassion, in so many words. And here is a list of my favorite black-owned Brooklyn businesses that (I hope) will help you show support.
Brooklyn, let’s all try harder, together.
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