BLACK LIVES AND OUR COLLECTIVE FUTURE
#RISEUP4JUSTICE
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RISING UP FOR REPARATIONS
A report from the field
Since 1865 there has been a call for reparations on moral, social, democratic, and economic grounds with no real action. Today, there is broader support for ways to reduce the racial wealth gap with compensation to Black Americans coupled with a call for atonement. Hear from leaders in the field about this critical moment. What city and state-based bipartisan efforts are in play alongside creative philanthropic programs and what models and processes are changing structures for real reparations for descendants of enslaved people? What is the real impact? Are multiple initiatives creating local change? Is it time for national policy now? How will justice benefit us all?
FEATURING
AMA NYAMEKYE
Ama Nyamekye Anane, founder of Good Influence Consulting, a Black-owned boutique firm helping organizations engage and learn from stakeholders, refine their strategy, and communicate more meaningfully. Prior to starting Good Influence, Ama was a nonprofit founder, organizer and educator serving students in the prison and public school systems. Drawing on this amalgam of experiences, Ama facilitated virtual and in-person listening sessions on behalf of the CA Reparations Task Force. Good Influence partnered with Black-led and Black-serving California nonprofits. Recognizing that “There is more to Blackness than our struggle”(-Angela Shante’) Influence led with a commitment to including prayer, spoken word, music and meditation to integrate wellness and inspiration throughout the listening session process.
TREVOR SMITH
Reparations Narrative Lab, Liberation Ventures
Trevor Smith (he/him) is a writer, researcher, and strategist focused on topics such as racial inequality, wealth inequality, reparations, and narrative change. He is currently the Director of Narrative Change at Liberation Ventures, a field builder fueling the movement for Black-led racial repair, where he is building the ‘Reparations Narrative Lab’ (RNL). The RNL is a first-of-its-kind creative space designed to build narrative power behind reparations. He is also the creator, curator, and editor of a newsletter titled Reparations Daily (ish).
DONALD TAMAKI
Donald K. Tamaki is an appointed member of the California Repartions Task Force and a Partner at Minami Tamaki LLP. He is the co-founder of StopRepeatingHistory.Org, a campaign focused on drawing parallels between the round-up of Japanese Americans during World War II and the targeting of minority groups based on race or religion. One major aspect of the campaign is the intersectionality of the Japanese American Redress Movement and that of African American Reparations, with an emphasis on creating solidarity and promoting public awareness on the importance of advancing reparations for African Americans.
JEAN-PIERRE BRUTUS
Say the Word Campaign, New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
Jean-Pierre Brutus is a senior counsel in the Economic Justice Program at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and its Say the Word Campaign working to establish a Reparations Task force in New Jersey. Jean-Pierre is a 2007 graduate of Georgetown University and a graduate of the JD/PhD program at Northwestern University, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law with a PhD in African American Studies from The Graduate School at Northwestern University. Jean-Pierre wrote a dissertation examining the origins of black politics outside of the traditional public sphere to conceptualize the counterpublic of black politics as bifurcated into a civil and uncivil black politics.
KELLIE FARRISH
Professional genealogist and active advisory participant on California’s AB3121 to The Reparation Task Force concerning reparations eligibility based on race or lineage. Kellie spent 15 years helping African-American families trace their ancestry. She also facilitates workshops on transforming race narratives and dismantling systems of racial inequality. Prior to Kellie’s work in training and genealogy, she worked for 20 years in the banking and finance sector for major US institutions. Reparation Generation is a national organization providing direct reparative transfers to Black Americans for wealth-building pursuits.
Co-Chair, Founder Reparation Generation
Founder and President of Mayer Laboratories, Inc, a North American medical device company. Founder of BeHOME (Berkeley Housing Opportunities for Municipal Employees). Has served in various capacities at numerous community organizations. Reparation Generation is a national organization providing direct reparative transfers to Black Americans for wealth-building pursuits.
This Livestream series, “Rise Up For Justice: Black Lives and Our Collective Future,” from the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, is providing space for cutting-edge conversations among activists, scholars, journalists, and other thought leaders to provide context and analysis on this transformative moment and envision what comes next in the movement for racial justice.
A Black-led movement demanding police accountability and justice has galvanized anger, grief, and frustration over the repeated killings of Black men and women both historically and in the present day—but also hope for a future rooted in true belonging. People worldwide are participating in a pivotal uprising that will reshape not only our relationship with Black communities but also our collective future. Launched in June 2020 in response to the murder of George Floyd.
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