New post from the NAACP: What Brands Can Do for MLK Day and Black History Month by Interactive Strategies

 

This MLK Day, skip the quote graphic, do this instead. 

Nearly six months ago in the wake of the unconscionable murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, millions took to the streets to say “enough is enough.” Prompted by the undeniable urgency of the moment, foundations, corporations, and brands —  large and small — took a stand. They not only declared that Black lives matter, but acknowledged that racism exists. They went beyond mere declaration and took action to boldly confront injustices.

The support of these new partners, along with our fellow activists, helped the NAACP continue the work we do day-in and day-out in communities across the country. We have assisted Black businesses damaged during the protests, uplifted Black entrepreneurs looking to grow or scale, provided housing grants to families at risk of foreclosure during the coronavirus pandemic, and challenged racist policies and practices through the courts. 

Organizations such as Nasdaq are putting in place measures to ensure board diversity for companies listed on the stock exchange. Philanthropists such as MacKenzie (Bezos) Scott have contributed millions to support the critically important role of HBCUs, and foundations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have invested in new approaches to advancing health equity.

History, however, has taught us that the road to justice is long and arduous. It is impossible to undo 400 years of systematic racism in mere months.

As we head into Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month, those committed to dismantling racism, those pushing for change, and those advocating for justice will be looking for ways to demonstrate their commitment to advancing a more equal society.

The time for words and statements is gone. This is the year for deeper, more concrete actions.

Invest in MLK Day and Black History Month All Year Long

In addition to participating in the MLK Day of Service on Jan. 18, brands can:

• Sign the Equal Pay Pledge to ensure all employees get equal pay for equal work by December 2021
• Take a year around approach to embracing the spirit of MLK Day and Black History Month
• Publish a progress report on June 2020 stated actions by June 2021
• Join the One Million Jobs Campaign
• Fund support for diversity and inclusion leads within your organization
• Provide sustaining support to local social justice organization
• Become a Corporate Member of your local NAACP
• Source more diverse candidates by adding to the NAACP Job Board 

The work to upend the underbelly of discrimination in this country and around the world demands engagement from all people, sectors, and industries.

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New post from the NAACP: NAACP President and CEO Releases Statement on Indefinite Banning of President Trump’s Facebook and Instagram Account by Marc Banks

President Trump’s social media accounts are a petri dish of disinformation, designed to divide and fuel violence at all costs.

For the safety of the American people and the security of our democracy, Facebook is doing the right thing to indefinitely ban President Trump from their platforms. We are urging Twitter to do the same immediately.

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New post from the NAACP: President and CEO of the NAACP Releases Statement on Disruption of Peaceful Transition of Power and Calls for Impeachment of President Trump by Marc Banks

This afternoon, the NAACP released the following statement from NAACP President Derrick Johnson on the disruption of peaceful transition of power and calls for the impeachment of President Trump:

“What we are witnessing at this moment is the manifestation and culmination of reckless leadership, a pervasive misuse of power, and anarchy. This is not protesting or activism; this is an insurrection, an assault on our democracy, and a coup incited by President Trump.

For the past four years, we’ve seen him chip away at the civility, integrity, and dignity of our nation. The pattern of President Trump’s misconduct is unmistakable and has proven time and time again that it is a grave threat and harm to the fragile fabric of our country. In the latest show of failed leadership, we witnessed the Capitol under siege by bad actors who had no other objective than to disrupt the constitutional proceedings of a fair and rightful transition of power. At this moment, President Trump is silent and continues to perpetuate lies and disinformation for his selfish amusement and personal gain.

We must not allow President Trump to continue to place our nation in peril. The NAACP calls for President Trump’s impeachment so that he will never again be able to harm our beloved country, and more importantly, its people.”

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About NAACP 

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization, and shares our commitment to equal rights.

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New post from the NAACP: Statement from NAACP President Derrick Johnson on Georgia Runoff Election by Marc Banks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 5, 2021

 

Baltimore, MD –  This evening, the NAACP released the following statement from NAACP President Derrick Johnson on the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff election:

“The stakes have never been higher as Black voters turned out again in Georgia to make their voices heard in record numbers and helped to decide the balance of power in the United States Senate. With more than 3 million residents voting early in the Senate runoff, the message is clear: we are not tired, and our voices will be heard.

“The next Senate will be closely divided and will determine how we move forward on critical issues like healthcare, housing, education, and long overdue institutional reforms. That is why we need leaders who will continue to champion our causes and empower our fight for justice. We deserve representation, but more importantly, we deserve representatives who will advance equity and erase inequality.

“In one of the most consequential elections of our time, Black lives have literally been on the ballot. That is why the NAACP committed to engaging, educating, and re-energizing the Black community to vote – again. The need to ensure that Georgians’ voices are heard is imperative, and our democracy depends on the full enfranchisement of voters.

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About NAACP 

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization, and shares our commitment to equal rights.

The post Statement from NAACP President Derrick Johnson on Georgia Runoff Election appeared first on NAACP.

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New post from the NAACP: President and CEO of the NAACP Issues Statement Condemning Decision in the Shooting of Jacob Blake by Austyn Ross

Washington, D.C. — The NAACP released the following statement regarding Kenosha county official’s decision not to charge Rusten Sheskey with the shooting of Jacob Blake:

“Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley’s failure to bring substantial charges against the officer who shot Jacob Blake causes pain for far too many Americans still reeling from a pandemic and the countless black deaths due to police brutality.

The district attorney’s decision is foul and shameful. It is yet another stark reminder of the free-willing atrocities committed against Black people at the hands of those entrusted to maintain public safety. Atrocities committed against the people of this country by the authorities cannot and should not go unanswered. The justice system failed Jacob Blake and, as such, failed us.

At this moment, the work of the American people is clear: we must continue to fight, organize, and mobilize against police brutality. Far too many Black lives have been damaged or lost due to the egregious malpractice of police officers, elected officials, and the justice system as a whole. While the visions of Jacob Blake, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others play over and over in our minds, we must not grow weary until we’ve achieved police liability and substantive change is realized. If there was ever a time for us to unite against a common threat to the existence of Black people, it is now. Our fight for justice remains unyielding. 

Our thoughts and prayers remain with Jacob Blake, his family and friends.”

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About NAACP

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization and shares our commitment to equal rights.

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New post from the NAACP: Watch: NAACP calls for Trump investigation in targeting of Black Georgia voters by Shunkecia Lewis

Source: theGrio and April Ryan

Early voting continues in the state of Georgia for two U.S. Senate races as a cloud hangs over the state’s election process there. On Saturday, President Donald Trump allegedly committed voter and election crimes with an unprecedented and illegal request for Georgia election officials to change the state’s certified vote count.

This matter has drawn the attention of many, including organizations like the NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil rights group, which is now calling for an investigation.

“There is an overall picture that has developed. Obviously, [President Trump] has targeted Black electorates. Places that are majority Black populations,” NAACP Board Chairman Leon Russell exclusively tells theGrio.

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New post from the NAACP: NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, releases statement after President Trump pressured Georgia Secretary of State to Recalculate Votes in His Favor by Marc Banks

NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, released the following statement after President Trump pressured Georgia secretary of state to recalculate votes in his favor:

“This is a racist attack on Black voters. President Trump’s desperate and futile attempts to invalidate and falsify votes cast by Georgia voters add to a growing list of criminal acts that must be addressed. His blatant disregard of the election’s accurate results is harmful to the American people and democracy itself. 

The NAACP calls for the Fulton County District Attorney’s decision to investigate the state law violations committed by President Trump after he pressured Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia secretary of state, to overturn Georgia’s election results. 

We’ve repeatedly seen attempts to delegitimize democracy by trying to disenfranchise voters, specifically Black voters. In December, we witnessed the Trump campaign and a Trump elector file a lawsuit in the Superior Court of Fulton County, challenging the state’s presidential election results and asking for a new presidential election or for the court to prohibit the appointment of the slate of presidential electors. On December 10, 2020, the NAACP-Georgia State Conference filed a motion to intervene as a defendant in the lawsuit because of their interests in ensuring their members’ votes are counted. 

Once again, if the NAACP must intervene to protect our community, we will do so swiftly and assuredly.”

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