Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy extends far beyond what can be shared on the third Monday in January each year. So, instead of limiting the amplification of his efforts to a single day, why not follow activists and leaders who are helping to carry his vision into the future?
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously wrote in his letter from Birmingham Jail. “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”
One way to support and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is to find the people and organizations who, like him, are actively fighting for racial equality and social justice and support them. Because while it might be easy to relegate Dr. King’s words, actions, and beliefs to the movements of the past, the truth is that the equality he fought for is just as relevant today as it was then, because the fight is still happening.
For us, this work is #NotJustOneDay ✊🏿✊🏽✊🏼 Here are a few organizations and thought leaders to start with. And if you feel like there’s information missing from this, please let us know in the comments or by sending an email to our editor at joeyphoenix@creativecollectivema.com.
Support Anti-Racism and Black Excellence All Year with these Local Organizations
North Shore Juneteenth Association
The North Shore Juneteenth is a nonprofit organization with the mission of creating programming and events that will expose all communities to positive images and aspects of African American culture. Follow this link to learn more.
Lynn Museum/Lynn Arts
Lynn Museum/LynnArts offers changing exhibitions and innovative youth and adult programs which engage and enrich Lynn’s diverse community. The Lynn Museum encourages active participation in exploring the city’s past while shaping a vision for its future. With Doneeca Thurston (she/her/hers) at the helm, Lynn Museum is a Black and woman led organization with programming that reflects that leadership. Learn more and find out upcoming exhibits at https://lynnmuseum.org/
Essex Art Center
Essex Art Center inspires and sustains lifelong growth and learning for a diverse community of artists in Greater Lawrence. Their classes, events, and exhibitions harness the power of art to transform lives. Their upcoming exhibition opening January 20th, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” is the first solo exhibition in the Merrimack Valley, by artist Marla L. McLeod. The exhbition explores contemporary social issues and symbols of pride for BIPOC Americans through painting, textile, sculpture, and photography. Learn more about Essex Art Center at www.essexartcenter.org
Elevated Thought
Elevated Thought offers holistic, cross-disciplinary opportunities for learning (arts, humanities, social sciences, philosophy, history), as well as support for youth to take thoughtful steps in choosing professional pathways and preparing themselves for impact and leadership in a changing and challenging world. Learn more at www.elevatedthought.org
Express Yourself Inc.
Express Yourself Inc. immerses youth in the arts, where they find a powerful tool for self-expression, uncover inner strength, and deepen connection with others. Learn more at www.exyo.org
Salem United, Inc.
Salem United, Inc fosters a commitment to Preserve our Culture History, Protect our Ethnic Traditions, Build our Customers and Social Awareness. We emphasize self-identity, self-governing and family values to our Communities, Elderly and Youth. Learn more at www.salemunitedinc.org.
Prevent The Cycle
Prevent the Cycle is a Community committed to racial equity and systemic change through community engagement, education and policy reform. Learn more at https://prevent-the-cycle.constantcontactsites.com/
Girls Inc.
Girls Inc.’s mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold! Learn more at www.girlsinclynn.org
Dunamis Boston
Dunamis offers professional development training for Boston’s emerging artists and arts-managers of color. Learn more at www.dunamisboston.org.
Raw Art Works
RAW ignites the desire to create and the confidence to succeed in our youth. Learn more at www.rawartworks.org.
Anti-Racism Educators, Activists, and Organizations To Follow And Support Online
Black Lives Matter: #BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Inc. is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. They also have a Boston chapter.
Center for Anti-Racist Research: Founded by activist Ibram X Kendi, Boston University Center for Antiracist Research exists to convene researchers and practitioners from various disciplines to figure out novel and practical ways to understand, explain, and solve seemingly intractable problems of racial inequity and injustice.
Rachel Cargle: Rachel Cargle is an Akron, Ohio born public academic, writer, and lecturer. Her activist and academic work are rooted in providing intellectual discourse, tools, and resources that explore the intersection of race and womanhood.
Alicia Garza (@chasinggarza): Alicia Garza is an organizer, political strategist, and cheeseburger enthusiast. She is the principal at the Black Futures Lab and the Black to the Future Action Fund, co-creator of #BlackLivesMatter and the Black Lives Matter Global Network, director of strategy and partnerships at the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and host of the Lady Don’t Take No podcast.
Brittany Packnett Cunningham: Cited by President Barack Obama as a leader whose “voice is going to be making a difference for years to come,” Brittany is an award-winning educator, organizer, writer, and leader. Brittany has become a sought-after voice in the work of social change and empowerment. Brittany plays many roles, all focused on freedom.
Myisha T. Hill: Founder of Check Your Privilege, a guided journey that deepens awareness to how actions affect the mental health of Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color, or BBIPoC.
Ijeoma Oluo: The NYT best-selling author of ‘So You Want To Talk About Race’ (2018) and MEDIOCRE (2020).
Patricia A. Taylor: Patricia A. Taylor is a California native now living in Georgia, learning and growing as a wife, mama, and Believer. She has a desire for bringing truth, grace, and love into conversations about racial justice, while boldly proclaiming her thoughts and experiences as she honors the heart of God.
SURJ Boston: SURJ Boston is a local chapter of Showing Up For Racial Justice, a national network of groups and individuals organizing white people for racial justice.
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu: Dr Shola is a political & women’s rights activist, taught intersectional feminism to female refugees and asylum seekers; scrutinizes government policies from a gender and diversity inclusion perspective; and co-organises women’s marches and social campaigns.
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