Protests are continuing to happen nationwide following the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor as well as incidents of police brutality against protestors. One way you can support protestors is by supporting local organizations. Here are a few for those looking for opportunities to give back.
Mothers Against Police Brutality
Mothers Against Police Brutality was started by Collette Flanagan after her son Clinton was fatally shot by a Dallas police officer in 2013. Advocating against police brutality and for policy reform, civil rights and police accountability, MATP has volunteer opportunities in social media, event planning and research, among other areas. You can also donate to MAPB through its website or buy a MAPB shirt.
Black Trans Advocacy Coalition Mission
In 2019, 27 transgender people were killed in the U.S. In Dallas, two of those 27 were Black transgender women, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Black Trans Advocacy Coalition Mission works to improve the lives of Black trans people by advocating against violence and discrimination. Based in Carrollton, this organization is looking for volunteers for its Black Trans COVID-19 Community Response Volunteer Team. You can also fundraise for the group, donate to one of the fundraisers or donate directly to the organization.
Dallas Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression
The Dallas Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression aims to end police misconduct, prison profiteering, racist and political repression and economic injustice, according to its website. A chapter of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, this organization has been involved in the recent protests against police brutality. To support this organization, you can sign up for action alerts and get notifications when the organization has updates, needs donations or when it plans actions.
Focused on reproductive health, The Afiya Center works to "serve Black women and girls by transforming their relationship with their sexual and reproductive health through addressing the consequences of reproduction oppression,” according to its website. Maternal mortality, abortion access, HIV programming and reproductive justice are the issues the group works to address. You can support The Afiya Center through donations or apply to be a volunteer. If you want to educate yourself on the health disparities lack women face, you can read its State of Black Women Report 2019.
Faith in Texas is a “nonpartisan, multi-racial, multi-faith grassroots movement of people united in values working together to achieve economic, racial, and social justice for all people,” according to its website. The organization also has a calendar on its website where you can see what events are coming up. So whether you are looking for somewhere to volunteer or want to find an organization to regularly donate to, consider Faith in Texas.
For an organization that focuses specifically on Black trans women, support The House of Rebirth. The House of Rebirth is a transitional housing initiative led by Black trans people after the murders of Muhlaysia Booker’s and Chynal Lyndsey in Dallas last year. This group does not just offer transitional housing. The House of Rebirth also provides resident and community services like counseling, career and employment assistance and classes among other things. To support The House of Rebirth, you can volunteer your time, host a benefit, provide a professional service or give a donation through its website.
Tarrant County Community Bail Fund
When someone in jail can’t afford bail, they just stay in jail, without being convicted of a crime. The Tarrant County Community Bail Fund works to provide bail to those in jail who can’t afford it. And with COVID-19, people in jail are more likely to contract the virus. To support the Tarrant County Community Bail Fund, consider donating to the cause through its website. And if you want to help even more, you can find other bail funds to donate to here.
Established in 2016, Dallas TRHT — which stands for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation — is a chapter of the national TRHT. This organization works to address race and racism through “narrative change, relationship building and equitable policies and practices," according to its website. To support Dallas TRHT’s mission, you can apply to be a volunteer or donate through its website. The organization also has resources about race on its website and host events. Its next event is a virtual town hall about racism and police violence.