Image via Oh Happy Dani

 

Hi friends. 

How are you all?

To be honest, I debated writing anything about recent events to share here on the blog because I truly do not want to make this about me or how we are dealing. However, I ultimately decided that sharing a few thoughts along with some actionable steps we’ve taken may prove to be helpful so that is my sincere hope today. 

The recent weeks events and social injustice seen across the country have undoubtedly left us all feeling heavy. I imagine that this is how Black men and women feel every day which breaks my heart and spirit. Each time this happens we seem to be outraged, I’ll ask Trevor how this could occur again, we start to forget and then it happens all over again. 

I think this past week we saw everyone hit a breaking point. This can’t be a reality for us or our children and we have to demand change. I’m disappointed it took this for me to really examine my practices and environment but acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done. I know much of that work doesn’t need to be broadcast on social media or for the world to see and I hope that after the trending black squares and hashtags we will all continue to do our part to combat racism in this country. 

As a minority myself, I have both experienced racism and seen it projected first hand. Being a minority doesn’t exclude you from being racist and I have witnessed many instances of people of different ethnicities tear others down. 

Personally, the most important lesson I have digested myself over the past few days is that I can no longer stay silent. ‘Not being racist’ is not enough anymore. In the past, I would often ignore comments or actions I deemed as inappropriate and speak about it after to avoid confrontation. I realize now that it’s important to speak up in those times and never allow that kind of behavior no matter how uncomfortable it is. 

I also need to be much more aware of how inclusive my circle of information is. How many Black people do I follow on social media? Where do I read my news? I realize the information we digest is representative of our world views and know that I need to expand mine. 

The same goes for my home and my soon to be two children. I had to step back and really examine if I was exposing Zain to as much diversity as I thought I was. No matter how inclusive I imagined myself to be, I found a lot of ways I could improve. Whether that be exploring new books he may love, having dolls around the house that are representative of all cultures or having those important race conversations in the best way possible. I know that will be different for every family but hopefully we can all strive to do better and be better. 

My hope today was just to have an honest discussion with you all, see how you were feeling and share some resources I thought could be helpful both nationally and locally. I hope that we can all strive to do better not only for us but our children and the future of this world.  

As promised, here are some resources I have found helpful. I also have a ‘BLM’ highlight saved on my Instagram page with everything I’ve found helpful thus far. If you have any additional information please reach out or leave it in the comments! 

 

 

Organizations To Donate To

 

National Organizations

George Floyd Memorial Fund
This memorial fund is established to cover funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist Floyd’s family in the days to come as they continue to seek justice for George. Donate here.

 

Minnesota Freedom Fund
The Minnesota Freedom Fund is a community based nonprofit that combats the harms of incarceration by paying bail for low-income individuals who cannot. The Minnesota Freedom Fund has raised $20m and is asking that future donations be routed to Black Visions Collective and Reclaim The Block. Donate here.

 

Black Visions Collective
BLVC aims to create the conditions for long term success and transformation for all Black People. They believe in a future where all Black people have autonomy and where safety is community-led. Donate here.

 

Reclaim The Block
Reclaim the Block organizes 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. Donate here.

 

National Bail Out
National Bail Out is a Black-led and Black-centered collective of abolitionist organizers, lawyers and activists building a community-based movement to support and end systems of pretrial detention and ultimately mass incarceration. Donate here.

 

Black Lives Matter
BLM is a movement and ongoing fight to end state-sanctioned violence, liberate Black people, and end white supremacy forever. Donate here.

 

Bail Project
The Bail Project is a national nonprofit organization that pays bail for people in need, reuniting families and restoring the presumption of innocence.Their goal is to secure freedom for as many people as possible and fuel momentum for equal justice. Donate here.

 

Campaign Zero
Campaign Zero is a police reform campaign which proposes research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America. Donate here.

 

National Bail Fund Network
The National Bail Fund Network is made up of over sixty community bail and bond funds across the country. They regularly update their listing of community bail funds that are freeing people by paying bail/bond and are also fighting to abolish the money bail system and pretrial detention. Donate here.

 

 

Local Organizations

Louisville Scoop

Louisville Scoop will donate all funds to families and Black-Owned businesses in need. Louisville Scoop will deliver groceries, pay for rent, utilities, and mortgages for families. Donate here.

 

Louisville Community Bail Fund

The Louisville Community Bail Fund exists to not only bail out folks, but provide post-release support to get them from jail, fed, and to a situation of safety. Donate here.

 

 

Petitions To Sign

 

Justice For George Floyd. Sign here.

Color of Change: Ensure the officers involved in Floyd’s death are brought to justice. Sign here.

White House Petition. Sign here.

Justice For Breonna Taylor. Sign here.

Justice for Ahmaud Arbery. Sign here.

 

Things to Read

This list and image was shared by Jane Mount and what I referenced when I ordered a few new books. Most of them won’t be arriving very quickly but I take that as a sign of encouragement that they are all selling out.

 

 

 

Things to Watch

 

Netflix

13th

American Son

Dear White People

See You Yesterday

When They See Us

 

Hulu

If Beale Street Could Talk

The Hate U Give

 

Rent

Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975

Clemency

Fruitvale Station

I Am Not Your Negro

Just Mercy

Selma

The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution

 

 

Places To Eat

Sharing an amazing list put together by the Courier Journal of local Black-owned businesses you can support if you are so inclined to! I know I personally noted so many on this list that we have never been to and plan to change that. 

 

502 Cafe — Mobile food truck

Abyssinia — 554 S. Fifth St. Open Monday-Saturday

Ace’s Slushie World — 1821 W. Broadway. Open Monday-Sunday

Ada’s Kitchen & Catering —214 W. Broadway. Open Tuesday-Sunday

Adele’s Southern Cooking & BBQ — 2913 Dixie Highway. Open Thursday-Sunday

Addis Grill — 109 S. Fourth St. Open Monday-Saturday

Africa House Lounge and Cafe — 2816 Crums Lane, Unit B. Open Wednesday-Saturday

Babie Bac’z Good Grill — 8533 Terry Road. Open Tuesday-Sunday

Back Deck BBQ — Mobile food truck. Open Monday-Friday

Barry’s Cheesesteaks and More — 1161 S. Second St., 2500 Bardstown Road.  Open Tuesday-Saturday

Big Momma’s Soul Food Kitchen — 4532 W. Broadway. Open Tuesday-Sunday

Boss Hog’s Truck Stop — Mobile food truck

Boujie Biscuit — 1813 Frankfort Ave. Open Wednesday-Sunday

Brendon’s Catch 23 — 505 S. Fourth St. Open Monday-Saturday

Caribbean Cafe — 317 W. Woodlawn Ave. Open Monday-Sunday

Chef’s Cut Pizzeria — 9901-C LaGrange Road. Open Monday-Sunday

The Chicken Box — 5905 Terry Road. Open Monday-Sunday

Coach’s Grill — 7325 Saint Andrews Church Road. Open Tuesday-Sunday

Daddy Rich’s — 617 W. Oak St. Open Monday-Saturday

Dairy Queen — 213 E. 10th St., Jeffersonville. Open Monday-Sunday

Dasha Barbour’s Southern Bistro — 2217 Steier Lane. Open Wednesday-Sunday

Eden & Kissi — 3912 Bardstown Rd. Open Monday-Saturday

Forty Acres & A Meal — 1800 Dixie Hwy. Open Wednesday-Sunday

Franco’s Restaurant — 3300 Dixie Hwy. Open Monday-Sunday

Funmi’s Cafe — 3028 Bardstown Road. Open Tuesday-Saturday

Galan’s Meat Market & Deli — 2801 W. Market St. Open Monday-Sunday

Galan’s Meat Market & Grill — 2300 W. Market St. Open Monday-Sunday

Happy’s Seafood & More — Crums Lane near Butler Traditional High School. Open Wednesday-Monday

Headquarters BBQ — 2700 W. Highway 22, Crestwood. Open Tuesday-Saturday

Highview Ice Cream and Coffee — 7525 Outer Loop. Open Monday-Sunday

Hip Hop Sweet Shop — Mobile food truck. Open Tuesday-Saturday 

Irma Dee’s — 1213 S. 28th St. Open Tuesday-Sunday

Kizito Cookies — 1398 Bardstown Road. Open Tuesday-Saturday

L’bads Ice Cream Parlor — 2606 W. Market St. Open Monday-Sunday

LATino Food Truck — Mobile food truck

Lonnie’s Best Taste of Chicago — 121 St. Matthews Ave. Open Monday-Saturday

Louisville Cream — 632 E. Market St. Open Wednesday-Sunday

Louisville Smokers BBQ — 1500 W. Oak St. Open Tuesday-Saturday

Lucretia’s Kitchen — 1812 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. Open Sunday-Friday

Lucy Mae’s Food Mart & Kitchen — 2300 W. Kentucky St. Open Monday-Sunday. 

M&M Deliciousness — 1401 Bluegrass Ave. Open Tuesday-Friday

Mack Bros BBQ — 2700 Rockford Lane. Open Wednesday-Sunday

Mark T’s Slab House — 4912 Preston Highway

MaF Gallery & Cafe — 976 Barret Ave. Open Monday-Saturday

Mamas Kitchen / Carryout — 603 N. 26th St. Open Tuesday-Saturday

Meeka’s — 1213 S. 28th St.

Moe-licious BBQ — Mobile food truck; opening a restaurant in Fort Knox

Mr. Icee’s BrainFreeze — 114 E. Chestnut St., Jeffersonville. Open Thursday-Saturday

Ms. Rhonda’s ‘A Taste of Philadelphia’ Cheesesteaks & More — 3817 E. Indian Trail. Open Monday-Saturday

Old Louisville Chili Bowl — 501 W. Oak St. Open Tuesday-Saturday

Peace, Love and Egg Rolls — Mobile food truck

Pollo — Mobile food truck

Pizza Bar — 445 S. Fourth St. Open Thursday-Saturday

Queen of Sheba — 2804 Taylorsville Road. Open Monday-Sunday

Roof Top Grill — 414 W. Oak St. and 708 Louis Coleman Jr. Drive. Open Tuesday-Sunday

Tim Page’s Corner Store — 2922 Taylor Blvd. Open Monday-Sunday

S Bar — 1442 Dixie Hwy.

Savannah Restaurant — 2750 S. Seventh St. Open Monday-Sunday

Seafood Lady — 601 E. Jefferson St. and 3201 Fern Valley Road. Open Wednesday/Tuesday-Sunday

Shirley Mae’s Cafe & Bar — 802 S. Clay St. Open Thursday-Sunday

Six Forks Burger Company— 1270 S. Preston St. Open Tuesday-Sunday

Soul Food Dining — 4900 Poplar Level Road. Open Tuesday-Sunday

Soulful Choices — Mobile food truck

Southern Express — 418 W. Oak St. Open Monday-Sunday

Southern Hospitality — 3402 W. Broadway. Open Monday-Sunday

Stevie J’s Barbecue — 1831 W. Jefferson St. Open Tuesday-Saturday

Stacey’s Donuts — 12907 Factory Ln. Open Monday-Saturday

SuperChefs — 1702 Bardstown Road. Open Tuesday-Sunday

Sweet Peaches — 1800 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. Open Tuesday-Friday

Wing Station — 2119 Crums Lane. Open Monday-Sunday

 

 

Also, a quick reminder to make sure you are registered to VOTE. I know Kentucky’s primary is coming up on the 23rd and if you need to sign up for an absentee ballot you must do that by the 15th here! My friend Jess is also pulling together a really informative post on resources to help navigate the election and how to stay informed so I will be sure to share that once she has it live! Her posts are always really in depth and helpful for myself so I think you will benefit from them as well. 

 

Image via Brandy Chieco

 

 

Lastly, I hope we all remember that everyone is hopefully doing their best and we may not see everything. I think change will be progressive in all of us and I truly believe the small changes each and every day do make a difference. If you aren’t able to buy all the books today, donate money immediately or head to a protest tomorrow that’s okay. Everyone can help in their own way and I am just thankful to have the opportunity to grow. Love you all.