You don’t need us to tell you that the last few days have been very tough and challenging emotionally for all of us here in the US.

But as four white men who have never had to experience the effects of systemic racism, the events of the last couple of days have also been eye-opening. And, as white men who have never experienced systemic racism, we are responsible for helping to build and maintain a future society that is not just “not racist” but is truly anti-racist.

The responsibility for making change doesn’t rely on those just directly impacted. We as allies have a responsibility for making change as well.

We’ve compiled a short list of a few advocacy groups and resources for more education around the subject. We are by no means experts, but are all trying to be better, and hope those of you in a similar position will join us.

Speak out. Support advocacy groups. Educate yourselves. Do whatever you can to make sure that Black Lives Matter.

Local Columbus Resources

  • Columbus Freedom Fund - A 501c3 organization established to help pay bail for those arrested for protesting during this time. Please note, this is a PayPal link for donations—they don’t have a centralized website

  • Zora’s House - The only co-working space in Central Ohio dedicated specifically to women of color. Zora’s House hosts a number of events and workshops, and provides a curated environment intended to help women of color do their best work

  • YWCA Leadership for Social Change - A 10-month course designed to help young women early in their careers understand how discriminatory practices, policies and beliefs produce various forms of inequity. The program connects emerging leaders with community experts to help create social change

  • Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce - The premiere advocate for Black Owned businesses in Central Ohio

National Resources

  • George Floyd Memorial Fund - The official GoFundMe page supporting the family of George Floyd

  • I Run With Maud - The official GoFundMe page supporting the family of Ahmaud Arbery

  • Black Visions Collective - An advocacy group in Minnesota dedicated to to shape a political home for Black people across the state

  • Reclaim the Block - An advocacy group organizing Minneapolis community and city council members to move money from the police department into other areas of the city’s budget that truly promote community health and safety.

  • Showing Up for Racial Justice - A national network of groups and individuals working to undermine white supremacy and to work toward racial justice. They have a repository of educational materials and host a series of seminars and workshops aimed at white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice

  • American Civil Liberties Union - The nation’s leader in advocating civil liberties for all. ACLU works in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States