We are saddened and angered by the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade, among others, and are grieving alongside their families and communities. For decades, Black Americans have lived in a world where they justifiably fear law enforcement; they have been demanding justice and a change to the status quo. We are tired of seeing the list of names of victims grow longer and longer. We stand with our fellow partners and friends who take to the streets to demand justice for George Floyd, protest against police violence, and seek to dismantle institutionalized racism. 

 

During this critical time, we need to look to leaders who can bring us together and lead change. It’s past time we call out systemic racism and collectively work together to create meaningful change.

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We have compiled a list of resources from a variety of organizations, Black leaders, and advocates to help you join the fight for racial justice. Resources are listed in no particular order.

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GET INFORMED​

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Articles:

• National Museum of African American History & Culture - "Talking About Race": a web portal of resources exploring issues of race, racism and racial identity.
   

• 303Magazine - "How to Be an Anti-Racist in Denver": a list of local resources to get informed and get involved.
   

• "Anti-Racism Resources for White People": a Google Doc compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker & Alyssa Klein which includes resources such as books, films, and articles.
   

• Sojourners - "For Our White Friends Desiring To Be Allies: a list of actions to take to be stronger allies.
   

• NAACP - "Criminal Justice Fact Sheet": facts on racial disparities in incarceration in America.
   

• NAACP - "How to Being A Dialogue About Racial Profiling": framework to lead a discussion on racial profiling.
   

• SURJ Denver - "Protesting as white accomplices": a document with best practices for protesting as a white accomplice in Denver.
   

• Urban Institute - "Structural Racism in America": data and other resources on structural racism in America.
   

• Equal Justice Initiative - "Racial Justice": a primer on racial justice in America.
   

• The Marshall Project - "A Black Mother’s Survival Guide for Her Teenage Son": an essay on the conversations about policing parents have with Black children.
   

• Healthyish - "7 Virtual Mental Health Resources Supporting Black People Right Now": Mental health resources providing virtual support to the Black community.
   

• 303Magazine - "250+ Black Owned Businesses to Support in and Around Denver": a list of Black-owned businesses in and around Denver, updated periodically.
   

• Obama Foundation - "Anguish and Action": resources on anti-racism and police violence and ways to take action.  

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Reading Lists:

• Well-Read Black Girl: a book club that centers Black women and writers of color. Local Denver chapters meet at Second Star to the Right and BookBar. They post reading recommendations and invite girls/women of all races, age groups, and readers who identify as non-binary to participate in the book club.
   

• Embrace.org - "31 Children's books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance": a list of children’s books from an organization fighting systemic racism by supporting parents to raise children who are brave, informed and thoughtful about race.
   

• Time - "Several Antiracist Books Are Selling Out. Here's What Else Black Booksellers and Publishers Say You Should Read": 13 books about race and antiracism, guided by recommendations from Black booksellers and publishers
   

• Left-Bank - "Black Lives Matter Reading List": a community-curated list that books, poems, articles and blog posts that explore race
   

• Colorado Sun - "Training white people in Colorado to be “anti-racist” (not just “not racist”) is one step in the fight to correct historic wrongs”: at the bottom of the article, you will find a list of podcasts, books, and articles recommended by SURJ-Boulder’s co-founder Marissa Tarufa.
   

• Marshall Project - Bookshelf: a list of books about criminal justice curated by The Marshall Project staff

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• New York Times: "An Anti-Racist Reading List" - a reading list curated by Ibram X. Kendi, author of the book “How To Be Anti-Racist”

 

GET INVOLVED

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Petitions:

• Color of Change - "State of Emergency: End the War on Black people!": a petition circulated by racial justice organization Color of Change with demands to address police violence.
   

• "Petitions To Sign" Carrd: a long list of petitions seeking justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and other victims of violence compiled by activists.
   

Donations:

• ActBlue: Split a donation between 40+ community bail funds, mutual aid funds, and racial justice organizers
   

• Colorado Freedom Fund: a local revolving fund that posts bonds and pays cash bail for people unable to afford the cost of buying their own freedom.
   

• Black Lives Matter 5280: Denver chapter of Black Lives Matter. Donations made to BLM5280 will be used for bail, legal support, and provision of direct services for Black people impacted by the current and ongoing crisis. 

 

Organizations:

• Black Lives Matter 5280: a local Denver chapter of the global movement to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities
   

• Soul 2 Soul Sisters: A local Black womxn-led, faith-based, racial justice organization focused on Black healing and Black liberation.
   

• YAASPA (Young Aspiring American for Social and Political Activism): a Colorado-based youth organization for those who desire to make change in their communities, pursue social science degrees, and social justice careers. 

 

• Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition: a coalition of over 8,000 individual members and 112 organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

 

• Showing Up for Racial Justice - SURJ Denver: a local chapter of a national network of groups and individuals organizing white people for racial justice.

 

• Denver Justice Project: a group working to transform law enforcement, end mass incarceration, and seek racial justice in Denver.
   

• TransWomen of Color Collective: Collective for Trans People of Color and their families
   

• Movement for Black Lives: coalition of groups advocating for Black communities across the country
   

• Center for Policing Equity: a research and action think-tank aimed to analyze disparities in policing and use data to create social, cultural and policy change.
   

• Color of Change: an online racial justice organization.
   

• Anti-Racist Research and Policy Center: teams of scholars, experts, journalists, and advocates producing research that can support the innovation and enactment of antiracist public policies.
   

• Campaign Zero: a police reform campaign by activists associated with Black Lives Matter
   

• Audre Lorde Project: a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color community organizing center
   

• Black Visions Collective: a Black, Trans, and Queer led organization based in the Twin Cities, Minnesota

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