A LETTER from aviary gallery,
in solidarity with the black lives matter movement
Dear Aviary Community,
We share the indignation expressed in the protests still happening across the country speaking out against the unjust murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Elijah McClain, Rayshard Brooks, Dominique Fells, and so many other individuals who should still be here today. As we witness these continued injustices, and as we see how the coronavirus pandemic is disproportionately affecting BIPOC communities, we recognize the urgent need for change. Aviary condemns police brutality and is dedicated to using our voices to speak out against racism, injustice, and violence. Black lives matter, and we continue to grieve the lives lost. We must demand accountability from those in power until our system is equitable for all. We must demand this of ourselves and of our art spaces as well.
Art represents both who we are and who we wish to be. It reveals and instructs, challenges and reassures. The power of the tools we hold, and how we use them to elevate the truth, is abundantly clear. With this knowledge, we believe that galleries, including ours, should play a meaningful role in combating systemic racism and creating a more just and equitable world. Aviary’s core mission is to serve and support emerging, under-represented, and diverse artists. These events have reinforced to us that all such efforts are imperfect and we must always strive to do better. We know that alongside any statement of our values, our words must be met with actions.
We are committed to strengthening and growing our ways of amplifying the perspectives of Black artists, Indigenous artists, and artists of color. We consider it essential to have these perspectives represented in our collection and exhibitions, and to persistently organize programs that highlight the voices of diverse musicians, filmmakers, activists, and creators. We commit to creating an actively antiracist art space that continuously strives for an equitable future in our creative community.
We will continue sharing resources for education, support, and reform across our social media, and hope you will consider accompanying us in donating time, energy, or funds to these causes and organizations in any way you are able. We hope these resources will provide opportunities to support each other, lift each other up, and empower ourselves, others, and our community as a whole as we continue to fight for a better world. We promise to unremittingly engage in these conversations and self-critique, and welcome you to please join alongside us.
In solidarity,
Lindsay and Amy
LOCAL & NATIONAL RESOURCES FOR
EDUCATION, REFORM, HEALING, & SUPPORT
Boston:
Advocacy Agencies:
Black Lives Matter, Boston Chapter blacklivesmatterboston.org
“Black Lives Matter Boston remains committed to being active in the Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) and it’s broad mission platform. BLM Boston centers work against racist policing and police violence, abolishing mass incarceration, economic disparities, and factors that allow the school to prison pipeline to exist. BLM-Boston’s mission is to organize and build Black power in Boston and across the country. Some examples of this is to galvanize our communities to end state-sanctioned violence against Black people. To support the development of new Black leaders, as well as create a network where Black people feel empowered to determine our destinies in our communities.” -
ACLU Boston Chapter aclum.org
“The ACLU works every day in the courts, in the legislature, and in communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, Bill Rights, and laws of the United States. The ACLU of Massachusetts is a state affiliate of the national ACLU. We defend the principles enshrined in the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, as well as the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.” -
NAACP Boston naacpboston.com
“The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality and rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.” -
Violence in Boston violenceinboston.org
“The mission of Violence in Boston is to improve the quality of life & life outcomes of individuals from disenfranchised communities by reducing the prevalence of violence and the impact of associated trauma. VIB's Social Impact Center was established to prevent and reduce the impact of violence by addressing immediate and basic needs: housing, food, clothing, and public safety for the disenfranchised residents of the City of Boston.” -
Families for Justice as Healing justiceashealing.org
“Families for Justice as Healing is led by incarcerated women, formerly incarcerated women, and women with incarcerated loved ones. Our mission is to end the incarceration of women and girls. Families for Justice as Healing leads advocacy to decarcerate women and girls in Massachusetts. We organize in the most incarcerated communities in the Commonwealth to transform the way we respond to harm and develop alternatives to police, courts, and incarceration.” -
Building Up People Not Prisons Coalition (steered by Families for Justice as Healing) peoplenotprisons.org
The Building Up People Not Prisons coalition is a group of formerly incarcerated women, women with incarcerated loved ones, and allies. Our coalition is steered by Families for Justice as Healing, based in Roxbury, and our membership largely includes people from the most incarcerated communities in Massachusetts. Our organizing flows from and builds on the vision and work of the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, which has Sisters throughout the country fighting to end the incarceration of women and girls.
Families for Justice as Healing & Building Up People Not Prisons Coalition: Action Guide This guide outlines actions directly impactful to reform in the Boston community. Each week, a new “Week Of Action Guide” is shared with updated resources & calls for action. -
Black and Pink Org; Boston Chapter blackandpink.org/chapters/boston/
The Boston Chapter of Black & Pink Org is B&P’s first Chapter. The Boston Chapter works toward prison abolition by providing court support, pen pal matching, mail processing, political education, and organizing around decarceration and harm reduction in Massachusetts. -
Arts & Culture Organizations SUPPORTING EQUITY AND ACTIVISM:
Frugal Book Store frugalbookstore.net
Frugal Book Store is “a community bookstore located in Roxbury with a passion of promoting literacy within our children, teens and adults. Leonard and Clarrissa Egerton have been operating the bookstore successfully as a family and have dedicated themselves to not only building a business that they hope one day will be looked at as one of this community’s staples, but also as a major contribution to the uplift of literacy within it. It has become our mission to, “Change Minds One Book At A Time.” -
Print Aint Dead printaintdead.us @print.aint.dead
“Print Ain't Dead is a Boston based bookstore and publishing initiative focused on literary and textbased artifacts produced by black, brown and indigenous artists.” -
Lucy Parsons Center lucyparsons.org
“The Lucy Parsons Center is an independent, non-profit, radical bookstore and community space located in Jamaica Plain, MA. The Lucy Parsons Center was founded on July 1, 1992. It is a successor organization to the Red Book Store, originally founded in 1969. The Red Book Store gave outstanding service to Boston's progressive/radical community for more than 20 years, and many of its traditions, allies and experiences have been folded into the Lucy Parsons Center's history.” The Lucy Parsons Center is part bookstore, meeting space, info space, and event space. -
THE Theater Offensive thetheateroffensive.org
“The Theater Offensive is a Boston based theater company that works to present liberating art by, for, and about queer and trans people of color that transcends artistic boundaries, celebrates cultural abundance, and dismantles oppression.” -
NAAC Boston Network for Arts Administrators of Color artsboston.org/naacboston
“NAAC Boston welcomes self-identifying arts administrators of color, such as Asian American, African American, Native American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Latin American, or multiracial individuals. The Network is open to individuals working in a full-time or part-time capacity at non-profit or for-profit arts and culture organization in Greater Boston, as well as freelancers and consultants.
Looking for talented candidates of color to join your team? Share job descriptions with the entire NAAC mailing list by contacting NAAC Coordinator: naacboston[at]artsboston[dot]org Start networking and become a member here.” -
Arts Connect International artsconnectinternational.org
“ACI partners with emerging POC-arts leaders and arts influencers who hold institutional power in the arts and culture sector, to collectively build equity, access, and inclusion through transformational leadership development.”
Join the The Cultural Equity Learning Community! “(CELC) is open to arts and culture sector leaders committed to building racial equity and justice in the arts. If you are a white arts leader, and/or you work in a predominately white institution, we invite you to join us. The CELC includes a go-at-your-own pace learning course with 2 units and complimentary wrap-around learning support. Learn more here.” -
The Front Porch Arts Collective frontporcharts.org
“The Front Porch Arts Collective is a new black theatre company committed to advancing racial equity in Boston through theater.” -
Artists For Humanity Boston afhboston.org
“Artist For Humanity Boston provides under-resourced teens the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in art and design. AFH is built on the philosophy that engagement in the creative process is a powerful force for social change, and that creative entrepreneurship is a productive and life-changing opportunity for young people.Bridging economic, racial, and social divisions, AFH enriches urban communities by introducing young people's creativity to the business community.” -
The Guild theguild.works
“The Guild is a community-driven social enterprise owned and led by people of color that facilitates collaborative alchemy through a process of venue, presence and connection in some of the historically neglected neighborhoods of the Greater Boston Area.”
Support The Guild as they respond to COVID-19! “The Guild purchases, coordinates & distributes care packages of critical supplies, food, funds, & comfort to families and seniors in need. We provide support for crucial mobility and connectivity needs. Guild healers support the community through virtual wellness and stress relief sessions. Our sanctuary space is used to receive, store, & assemble needed items for delivery to households across Dorchester, Roxbury, & Mattapan.” -
Danza Orgánica danzaorganica.org
“Danza Orgánica is a Boston-based Contemporary Dance Theater company founded in 2007 by Afro Borikua artist Mar Parrilla. Their mission is “to strive to leave the world and planet better than we inherited it for our future generations. amor y justicia social are our foundation. we are in solidarity with bipoc (black & brown, indigenous, poc), lgbtqi, and underrepresented/marginalized communities that face racial, ability-based, economic, xenophobic and/or colonial oppression. we rewrite our stories through peeling off layers of conditioning, extensive research, generating new movement, and creating new narratives that represent us as we want to be represented. we actively work towards an antiracist artistic and community-based praxis that decolonizes: the mind/body/spirit, the earth, food, wealth, education, health, and our colonial systems- hence reinventing our way of existing-in and experiencing the world.” -
Community Wellness & support:
Common Table Boston; by Commonwealth Kitchen commonwealthkitchen.org/commontable
“CommonTable leverages our powerful network of member food businesses, neighborhood restaurants, farm partners, and community-based organizations to produce delicious, culturally diverse, prepared meals to feed families in need -- because when you have more than you need, you build a longer table, not a higher fence. It’s a community response to a community crisis.” Donations feed local individuals, and support the local food economy. -
Boston Food Access Resource Map boston.gov/departments/food-access/
Information on food resources across the City of Boston, including locations for food pantries and soup kitchens. -
Roxbury Presbyterian Church, Social Impact Center: The Cory Johnson Program for Post-Traumatic Healing rpcsocialimpactctr.org
“A community-based approach to addressing the epidemic of PTSD in urban neighborhoods, fostering connection and empowering individuals to take an active role in helping themselves and others heal. All programming is free and takes place at 328 Warren Street, Roxbury. Weekly Trauma Support programming every Thursday at 6PM. A safe, supportive space in which to share your story, or listen to others. The evening begins with dinner at 6 pm, then Rev. Liz Walker opens the time for sharing. Free childcare always provided.” -
Urban Farming Institute urbanfarminginstitute.org
“The Urban Farming Institute of Boston’s mission is to develop and promote urban farming to engage individuals in growing food and building a healthy community.” -
Boston Ujima Project ujimaboston.com
“A cooperative business, arts, and investment ecosystem, built by and for Boston’s working class Black, Indigenous and communities of color.” -
You Good, Sis? yougoodsisyoga.com
“You Good Sis is a collective for black and brown women and femmes looking for a mental, spiritual and physical check in. We strive to define and create a specific space dedicated to the wellbeing of women of color. We are most proud of the people who consciously choose to be part of the community and continue to show up.” -
X Academy xacademy.co
“The X-Academy is a youth development program that utilizes mentorship, athletics, commerce, civic engagement and creative arts to provide a foundation for life long moral and intellectual growth for the youth in Boston. Their vision is to help young people to discover unknown intellectual, artistic, physical, entrepreneurial and civic potential that contributes to long term stability and success, for self/community/city.” -
Black Owned Businesses in Boston bostonblackbiz.com -
National:
Advocacy Agencies:
Black and Pink blackandpink.org
“Black & Pink is a national prison abolitionist organization supporting LGBTQ and HIV-positive prisoners. The group organizes a pen pal program, provides court accompaniment, and educates people on their rights through multiple programs. Black & Pink works toward prison abolition by providing court support, pen pal matching, mail processing, political education, and organizing around decarceration.” -
NAACP Legal Defense Fund naacpldf.org
“The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund is America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans. LDF also defends the gains and protections won over the past 80 years of civil rights struggle and works to improve the quality and diversity of judicial and executive appointments.” -
National Police Accountability Project nlg-npap.org
“National Police Accountability Project was created as a non-profit to protect the human and civil rights of individuals in their encounters with law enforcement and detention facility personnel. The central mission of NPAP is to promote the accountability of law enforcement officers and their employers for violations of the Constitution and the laws of the United States. With over 500 members and growing, we continue to effect change in the flawed legal system and fight to put an end to police brutality of all forms.” -
Arts and Culture Organizations SUPPORTING EQUITY & ACTIVISM:
The Black School theblack.school
“The Black School is an experimental art school teaching Black/PoC students and allies to become agents of change through art workshops on radical Black politics and public interventions that address local community needs. TBS was founded by Joseph Cuillier III and Shani Peters in 2016. We are socially engaged artists, designers, and educators working at the intersections of K-12/university teaching, art, design, and activism. All TBS programming is designed around our core principles of Black Love, self-determination, and wellness.” The Black School is currently accepting donations to achieve their goal of “building a 21st century schoolhouse to expand our Black radical art programming into a community center providing civic engagement activities for New Orleans' 7th Ward.” -
artEquity artequity.org
“artEquity offers training and consulting services to individuals and organizations on creating and sustaining a culture of equity and inclusion through the arts and culture. Training topics address structural and systemic issues of identity, power-sharing language and communication, team building, and strategies to initiate and normalize equity-based approaches in organizational and community culture.” -
Black Archivist blackarchivist.com
“Black Archivist is a project by Paul Octavious, a Black queer photographer based in Chicago. In 2005, Paul began exploring the art of photography and it changed the trajectory of this his life. Black Archivist believes in the power of the Black narrative and that Black artists are best suited to tell the stories of our community. We provide the tools and resources for Black people to document the life around them, both triumphs and tribulations. We believe access to equipment should not be a barrier to entry for documentation or compensation.” Black Archivist is currently accepting camera donations and applications from those in need of cameras. -
Black Trans Femmes in the Arts Collective @btfacollective facebook.com/btfacollective
“BTFA Collective is connecting the community of black trans women and non-binary femmes in the arts & building power among ourselves.” BTFA presents ongoing virtual events, online resources, and fundraising across their social media platforms. -
national resources for Wellness, EDUCATION, & support:
The Loveland Foundation thelovelandfoundation.org
“The Loveland Foundation was established in 2018 by Rachel Cargle in response to her widely successful birthday wish fundraiser, Therapy for Black Women and Girls. Her enthusiastic social media community raised over $250,000, which made it possible for Black women and girls nationally to receive therapy support. The Loveland Foundation is the official continuation of this effort to bring opportunity and healing to communities of color, and especially to Black women and girls. Through fellowships, residency programs, listening tours, and more, ultimately we hope to contribute to both the empowerment and the liberation of the communities we serve.” -
The Villij TheVillij.com
“The Villij empowers womxn to invest in their well-being. We’re committed to creating inclusive, accessible and nurturing spaces to connect, heal and expand. Together with the support of local partners, The Villij is dedicated to creating initiatives that encourage and support the mental, emotional, spiritual, physical and financial advancement of womxn of colour.” The Villij offers regular virtual talks, workshops, and online resources through their online platforms. -
The Okra Project TheOkraProject.com
“The Okra Project is a collective that seeks to address the global crisis faced by Black Trans people by bringing home cooked, healthy, and culturally specific meals and resources to Black Trans People wherever we can reach them. Based on individual donations, The Okra Project pays Black Trans chefs to go into the homes of Black Trans people to cook them a healthy and home-cooked meal at absolutely no cost. For those Black Trans folks currently experiencing homelessness or whose homes cannot support our chef’s cooking, The Okra Project has partnered with institutions like Osborne Association and other community spaces to deliver foods.” The Okra Project is currently accepting donations. -
BEAM.community BEAM.community
“BEAM is a 501 (c)(3) organization. Our mission is to remove the barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing. We do this through education, training, advocacy and the creative arts.” The BEAM Community offers virtual events that can be viewed and registered for here. -
Princess Janae Place PrincessJanaePlace.org
“Princess Janae Place was established in 2015 to support the transgender/gender nonconforming (TGNC) and transgender/gender non-binary (TGNB) community, many of whom experience homelessness and housing insecurity. Princess Janae Place is New York State's first and only community based housing organization led by, and for, people of trans experience. Princess Janae Place offers a community-based, safe and accessible place for people of transgender experience to connect to critical services and support.” -
Brave Space Alliance BraveSpaceAlliance.org
Brave Space Alliance is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ Center located on the South Side of Chicago, and designed to create and provide affirming and culturally competent services for the entire LGBTQ community of Chicago.” In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Brave Space Alliance will be offering additional services including the BSA Crisis Pantry, The COVID-19 Relief Fund, the BSA Food Drive. More info here. -
G.L.I.T.S. Inc. GLITSinc.org
“Gays & Lesbians Living In a Transgender Society is a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA community internationally. Our organization has advocated on the behalf of trans sex workers, people of color, formerly incarcerated, and other members of the LGBTQ community. We approach the health and rights crises faced by transgender sex workers holistically using harm reduction, human rights principles, economic and social justice, along with a commitment to empowerment and pride in finding solutions from our own community. G.L.I.T.S. also advocates and educates to ensure health, wellness and inclusion of transgender people in our society and to address the stigmatization and criminalization of trans people because of anti-prostitution/anti-sex work laws.” -