Black Lives Matter

Kid-Focused Resources

* Children’s books that feature black heroes.

* A short video for kids about the origins and celebration of Juneteenth.

* CNN and Sesame Street hosted a racism town hall for families that you can watch in full here.

* The Kojo Namdi Show featured a Kojo For Kids segment with bestselling YA author Jason Reynolds talking about racism and the recent protests.

* On NPR’s All Things Considered, Jennifer Harvey, author of Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America, discussed how to talk with white children about racially-charged events.

* A segment on the radio show 1A on how talk to kids about race.

* From Commonsense Media, How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids.

* East City Bookshop has a section of Antiracism Resources on their website that includes tips on talking about racism wit kids and book recommendations for every age — board books, pictures books, early reader, middle reader, and young adult. The shop is closed right now, but you can place an online order and have it shipped, or pick up at the store.

* Movie pick for kids and adults: The documentary John Lewis: Good Trouble. (Recommended for ages 10+)

Websites & Reading for Adults

* 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice

* The National Museum of African American History and Culture just launched a new portal called Talking About Race, which is full of resources for discussing, teaching, and learning about race and racism.

* Justice in June, a website that began as a Google doc created by two friends, has detailed suggestions on how to be a better ally to the black community with suggested plans and resources that take just 10, 25, or 45 minutes a day to do or read.

* Momentum is a new blog dedicated to the fight against anti-Black racism.

* Oprah Magazine recommends 43 books by black authors to read in 2020.

* How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change by Barack Obama.

* Black fathers share their hopes and dreams for their sons.

* Confessions of a Former Bastard Cop, a Medium article, is a fascinating and powerful read. (It should be noted this is one person’s POV, but…whoa.)

* Why he knelt.

More Media for Adults

* Trevor Noah breaks down and brilliantly articulates what has been happening in our country that led to this swell in the Black Lives Matter movement.

* What Defund the Police means — and what you can do.

* Five podcasts with episodes that examine race in America.

* An episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver that discusses how the histories of policing and white supremacy are intertwined.

* Trevor Noah nails it aagin, this time on police brutality.

* Dave Chapelle’s special, 8:46, is not funny. And it’s not supposed to be.

* From Cup of Jo, five black voices to follow on IG. I also recommend Sonya Renee Taylor — start with this video.

* A recent Code Switch podcast episode asking, ‘Why now, White People’ is an interesting listen.

* Created several years ago, but just made widely accessible last week, Love is the Message, The Message is Death is a powerful work by video artist Arthur Jafa.

* Little White Lie is a very compelling documentary about one woman’s journey as she discovers a family secret and navigates issues of race and identity. Highly recommend!

Local & Virtual Activities

* At Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park in Montgomery County, you can take a hike with historical significance on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail. Part of a network of routes that slaves used to escape to freedom, the walk through the woods and along edges of fields is an interesting, enlightening, and active way to spend time outdoors. All hikes are currently self-guided, but a KFDC reader had a good idea to print out the map and an explanation of the trail to bring along for context. Guided tours will be available after park programming begins again.

* If you have a chance to bring your kids to the Black Lives Matter Plaza or join a protest or rally in the area, I highly recommend doing it. What better way to show them democracy in action and support for the black community. We’ve been out to a few protests and marches, and they have been very peaceful, even joyful. There could be a crowd if you head downtown, and you may have to hang out on the fringes for good social distancing. Freedom Fighters DC has had stations set up offering free drinks and snacks (and other supplies), which is helpful with kids along. If you aren’t comfortable with a big crowd, consider going to a smaller protest, rally, or vigil in another area.

* The KFDC Guide to Visiting the National Museum of African American History & Culture with Kids.

* A new DC park just opened in NoMa. Alethia Tanner Park, named for a freed slave who supported education for black children, features a large lawn, playground, dog park, gardens and a meadow, plaza areas, and a connection to the Metropolitan Branch Trail. It’s located at 227 Harry Thomas Way, NE.

* A round-up of Black art and history museums to explore from home from BYT.

* The annual Book in Bloom book festival — Columbia, Maryland’s ultimate celebration of the joy of books and reading — has gone virtual this year. From July 13 – August 20, it will bring together some of the country’s best and brightest authors with panels, contests, workshops, and event partnerships with local businesses. This year’s festival will also continue its tradition of activism through literature by encouraging open dialogue on themes of diversity, racism, inequality, and culture through the art of books. Headlining the festival is sociologist Robin DiAngelo, author of New York Times bestseller White Fragility. View the schedule of upcoming events here.

* Little ones can “Rise, Rhyme & Read with Culture Queen” on Saturdays and Mondays at 10am. Busboys and Poets is presenting the empowering entertainment — music, movement, and storytelling — for your royal children via Facebook Live.

* This 1,100+ mile ride by five black cyclists along the Underground Railroad sounds like an amazing journey and endeavor, and you can help support it.

* The BlackStar Film Fest, an annual festival showcasing films by Black, Brown, and Indigenous people from around the world that usually takes place in Philadelphia is going digital this year. Starting today through August 26, view a variety of films, listen to panel discussions, and join more special events online. The schedule of events and “tickets” are available on the website.

* Seven Black history experiences in Alexandria, from a drive of eight key sites to a walk along the African American Heritage Trail to an Underground Railroad inspired tour, and more.

Black-Owned Businesses

* Yelp’s growing collection of black-owned businesses in the DMV to support.

* Black-owned restaurants around DC open during COVID-19.

* The Mom Edit, one of my favorite sources for fashion tips (because I’m clueless on my own), just launched a Black-Owned Business Directory.

* Black-owned bookstores around the country that you can shop online.

* Beyonce’s directory of Black-owned businesses.

* Black-owned wine businesses.

* Black-owned home decor brands from HGTV.

* 30+ Black-owned children’s brands

Donating

* 137 ways to donate in support Black Lives Matter. (The Srategist)

* The Cut has suggests places where donations can be made to help support the struggle
against police brutality.