MLK Jr. Day: Consider Donating to These Colorado-Based Organizations

As Martin Luther King Jr. Day passes, and many conversations surrounding racial justice and Black equity radiate among a variety of communities, conversations are important, of course. But, rather than solely sharing an MLK quote or infographic to your Instagram story and calling it a day, it’s a great time to give back to Black organizations that are continuing the conversations MLK prioritized in his life, recognizing the continued racial injustice and inequity affecting Black folks today.

For those who are able, consider giving back to one of these organizations this week in honor of Dr. King, and keep up with them year-round to stay in the loop and continue the conversation:

BLM 5280

Black Lives Matter 5280‘s mission is to embrace and celebrate “the immense and beautiful diversity found within Denver’s Black communities.” They are dedicated to using this diversity to unite communities rather than divide them. It’s a local chapter part of the national BLM movement, aligned in Black love, power, and liberation, and embodying the declaration that Black Live Matter, “regardless of gender identity, gender expression, sexual identity, immigration location or status, gang affiliation, profession, ability, economic status, and religious beliefs or disbelief.”

BLM 5280 assists in building more loving and united Black communities while eliminating anti-Black violence and racism, looking to expose, address, and eradicate structures and systems of oppression in Denver.

“BLM5280 centers and celebrates the lives and leadership of Black women and girls, and knows that when poor, Queer, Black women are free, we will all be free. Our work is to cultivate communities of abundant joy where all Black people are emboldened and empowered to lead, love, heal, and thrive,” the website states.

Donate here.

Denver Justice Project

The Denver Justice Project initially formed in 2015 through a community-led effort to recall then Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey for his lack of prosecuting police officers who have assaulted or murdered members of the community. While that effort didn’t result in his recall, it did successfully emerge as a coalition determined to achieve meaningful, lasting improvement for people’s lives by transforming the criminal justice system.

The website outlines the DJP mission statement: “The Denver Justice Project works with historically marginalized communities to address systemic racism by transforming law enforcement and the structure of the criminal justice system through intersectional movement building, direct action, advocacy, and collaborative education.”

Donate here.

Colorado Council Black Nurses, Inc.

During a time when healthcare workers are experiencing the brunt of pandemic strain, the Colorado Council of Black Nurses, Inc. has been a staple in the Colorado health community, going strong from more than 45 years. It is comprised of a multi-generational network of leaders, pioneers, visionaries, and students in the nursing profession and nurse pathway careers, addressing health equity from a cultural perspective, focusing on improving the health status of all people.

According to the website, “The mission of the Colorado Council Black Nurses, Inc. is to improve the health status of all people through empowering under-served communities to be equal contributors in the determination of healthcare standards by increasing the number of Black/African American professional nurses throughout the healthcare continuum, and by increasing college matriculation and successful graduation rates among Black and other underrepresented students in postsecondary education, thereby empowering under-served communities to not only be participants but active contributors to an equitable health care system in local, national and global arenas.”

Donate, and find donation resources, here.

Curls on the Block

Curls on the Block is an enrichment program for girls “of all curls and colors” to embrace, explore, and empower their natural selves, working to increase engagement and investment to careers in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (or STEAM).

The nonprofit uses a curriculum with 10 consecutive sessions, where participants explore activities, careers, and mentorship in STEAM. Schools can contract a semester or year of programming, including “pre/post assessments of confidence and knowledge from hair to STEAM facts, book club readings, a preliminary qualifying pageant and each week a different experience from LED Floral crowns, making flax seed hair gel, and research projects on ingredients in popular or cheap hair products as well as testing the pH balance of water in bottles and tap.”

Donate here.

Soul 2 Soul Sisters

Co-Founders Rev. Tawana Davis and Reverend Dr. Dawn Riley Duval founded Soul 2 Soul Sisters in 2015 as a Black women-led, faith-based response to anti-Black violence in the United States.

“Black people who identify as woman, trans, nonbinary, queer, elderly, spiritual, courageous, outrageous, religious, audacious, incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, serious, playful, disabled, creative, immigrant … all Black women are precious creations and are welcome to Soul 2 Soul Sisters,” the website states.

The organization continues to evolve today, working to honor and protect Black women’s “lives, loves, decisions, families, communities, and futures.” It is also based in reproductive justice framework, affirming that healthcare must protect raising children in safe and healthy environments, sexuality, the decision to not become a parent, and planned and healthy pregnancies.

Donate here.