California Black Freedom Fund

We were honored to be a part of the Altadena Listening Session hosted by Sen. Sasha Renee Pérez and Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas on MLK Day. During the session, we heard directly from impacted community members about their experiences and what’s most important to them as we begin to rebuild in Altadena. One thing is clear: we must prioritize an equitable recovery, especially for Altadena's historic Black community. Support the Black LA Relief and Recovery Fund here: https://lnkd.in/ejZ746bX

Dr. King's urgent call to realize the promise of racial justice rings as true today as it did during his historic speech at the March on Washington in 1963. Today, as we reflect on the incredible legacy of Dr. King, we are grateful to resource and work alongside the leaders and organizations at the center of our communities, working tirelessly to make racial justice a reality and secure the future all Black people deserve.

Join our partners at SoCal Grantmakers this Friday, Jan. 17 for a special funder briefing on the current philanthropic response to the Southern California wildfires. Panel speakers will include representatives from emergency management, government, community foundations, and nonprofits addressing unmet needs on the ground. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/gwS8x4vh

We are heartbroken by the devastation caused by the Los Angeles County wildfires. And, as the fires continue to rage, it may be weeks – or longer – before we understand the full scale of destruction. In response, CBFF and California Community Foundation have partnered to launch the Black LA Relief & Recovery Fund. This Fund will support community organizations on the ground working to meet the immediate and long-term needs of Black communities displaced by the wildfires. Historically Black communities, especially in Altadena and Pasadena, have been hit particularly hard by this disaster. These neighborhoods, once places of promise and opportunity for middle-class Black families unable to purchase homes in other parts of LA because of racist covenants and redlining, are no longer. 
Our communities need us now more than ever. Join us in standing with directly impacted Black communities by donating at www.pledge.to/BlackLA or texting BlackLA to 707070.

California’s new Southeast Asian Studies Model Curriculum is an amazing step for representation of Cambodian, Hmong, and Vietnamese American communities. For too long, their stories of resilience, culture, and contributions have been overshadowed by narratives of war and trauma. This curriculum changes that. Built by the community, for the community, it centers voices and experiences that have been erased from classrooms for decades. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eGiTxtHf

As we close out 2024, our commitment to Black liberation remains unwavering. Despite the challenges we've faced, we're resolute in our mission to dismantle white supremacy and build a multiracial democracy. This year, we poured resources into Black movements, supporting organizations as they navigate an evolving political landscape. Together, we move forward with determination toward a future where racial justice is realized! Thank you for being part of this vital work.

Last week, we wrapped up the State of Black California series! In partnership with California Legislative Black Caucus, we held six community conversations in San Diego, Santa Barbara, Fresno, Sacramento, Moreno Valley, and Oakland. A massive thank you to everyone who came out and contributed to the conversations, especially to the community members and advocates. 🙏🏿 We're looking forward to using what we learned to build solutions for Black Californians in the new year!

Programs like LAUSD’s Black Student Achievement Plan don’t just help Black students–they uplift entire schools. Since its inception, the achievement plan has led to major gains including: ✅ 5% increase in Black student graduation rates ✅ 11.4% improvement in early literacy ✅ Chronic absenteeism down nearly 9% for grades 9-12 ✅ AP course enrollment up 11% This progress is worth defending. Removing race as a factor ignores the systemic inequities this program was designed to address. LAUSD’s commitment to its Black students must remain strong–for their success and the betterment of all. https://lnkd.in/erwsHdgd

Sharing some amazing takeaways from the 2024 Truth and Transformation Conference hosted by the Institutional Antiracism & Accountability Project (IARA)! This year's convening explored how racial equity and antiracist organizations can combat the ongoing attacks on DEI. CBFF is committed to practicing each of these strategies through our LEAD of Racial Justice initiative which provides legal education and tools to help organizations understand their ability to conduct racial justice work in the current landscape. Learn more about LEAD: https://lnkd.in/eHEc8V2u

Today, we're spotlighting another CBFF grantee partner that organizes for policy and systems change at every level of government–all year round. We're thrilled to uplift Critical Resistance, an organization that works to build an international movement to end the prison industrial complex. Ahead of the 2024 election, Critical Resistance organized to inform voters about candidate stances and the implications of Prop 36.