Racial Justice Toolkit: Organizations

This organization "designs campaigns powerful enough to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back, and champion solutions that move us all forward."

From their website: "...Led by women, and with a call for refounded nation-to-nation relations based on mutual respect, Idle No More rapidly grew into an inclusive, continent-wide network of urban and rural Indigenous working hand in hand with non-Indigenous allies to build a movement for Indigenous rights and the protection of land, water, and sky."

"National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, citizenship, criminal record, economic status, gender, gender expression, or sexuality."

PEN America, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. Founded in 1922, It is the largest of the more than 100 centers worldwide that make up the PEN International.

"SURJ is a national network of groups and individuals working to undermine white supremacy and to work for racial justice. Through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ moves white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability."

"The first nonprofit organization created by Black women to help protect and advance the health and wellness of Black women and girls."
"With a broadened structure of national and local affiliated organizations and a change in name to the Black Women’s Health Imperative in 2002, the Imperative instituted aggressive national programs in health policy, education, research, knowledge and leadership development and communications to save and extend the lives of Black women. Presently, the organization continues to be dedicated to promoting physical, mental and spiritual health and well-being for the nation’s 19.5 million African American women and girls."

"In mourning and in solidarity, many people in Buffalo and other cities across the country have taken to the streets to demand justice for George Floyd and other Black and brown people killed by police. This fund supports bail requirements for demonstrators arrested while doing this work here in Buffalo."

Its goal is "to improve the political, educational, social and economic status of minority groups; to eliminate racial prejudice; to keep the public aware of the adverse effects of racial discrimination; and to take lawful action to secure its elimination..."

Center for Elder Law and Justice, formerly known as "Legal Services for the Elderly, Disabled or Disadvantaged of Western New York," provides "free civil legal services to seniors, people with disabilities and low-income populations in nine Western New York counties. [Their] goal is to protect the essentials of life, such as housing, income, access to health care and protection from abuse...."

"Since 1919, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has been committed to helping individuals, families and organizations make their charitable goals a reality...." They provide "customization and flexibility, sound management of charitable assets and deep knowledge of the Western New York community."

"Legal information for New Yorkers who cannot afford an attorney"
"LawHelpNY.org is New York's only comprehensive source of legal referral information and includes:
--More than 600 free legal service projects and organizations with their contact and intake information
-- More than 3,500 Know Your Rights and self-help resources covering 11 areas of law
--Information about the Court system
-- AyudaLegalNY.org, a Spanish mirror website
-- Legal rights resources in more than 30 languages
--LiveHelp, a real-time chat service that helps users find the legal help they need"

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo is a passionate group of non-profit attorneys, social workers, and justice advocates! They offer various services such ranging from:
Defense of the Accused and Incarcerated, Appeals, Reentry, Attorneys for Children, Immigration, Housing Rights, Family Stability, Workers' Right, Consumer Rights, and Education.

Provides "free legal aid to people with civil legal problems in western New York."They "may be able to help ... with problems such as welfare terminations, divorces, evictions, SSI denials, or other legal problems if ... eligible for [their] services." Covers 14 counties.

Its purpose "is to facilitate and advance equality and excellence in the legal profession; aid in the progress of minorities in the legal profession, address legal issues affecting minorities, encourage the personal and professional development of lawyers and students, advocate for the civil rights of all people and to enhance the legal services available to minority communities. "

"The MOCHA Center connects LGBTQ people of color with events and programs that promote healthy, sex-positive living." "Founded in 1996 as the Men of Color Health Awareness Project, The MOCHA Center has worked to educate Black and Latino men in Rochester and Buffalo..."

NFJC is a "human relations organization dedicated to overcoming racism, bias and discrimination by building understanding, respect and trust through education, advocacy and community involvement."

"At the heart of Open Buffalo is its commitment to take a leadership role on a diverse set of social justice issues. This organizing work involves bringing together the voices of its constituents to create societal change and equality for marginalized and underserved communities. "

"PPG is a community-based think tank that provides research and advocacy support to a broad range of partners. Each year, our partners use a democratic process to create a Community Agenda: ten ways that state and local government can act to improve Buffalo Niagara in the coming year...."

"The mission of PUSH Buffalo is to mobilize residents to create strong neighborhoods with quality, affordable housing; to expand local hiring opportunities; and to advance economic and environmental justice in Buffalo."

"As a chapter of the national SURJ organization, SURJ ROC's purpose is to support the missions of People of Color-led racial justice groups in the Rochester area in their fight against oppression and inequality. [They] educate white people about privilege and white supremacy and organize white people to act for racial justice with passion and accountability."

Buffalo, NY chapter of the national SURJ organization

Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) provides free civil legal services to low income individuals and small not-for-profits in the greater Western New York region.

"...The Center represents low-income Western New Yorkers in civil matters..."

They are "dedicated to enriching the quality of life in [their] local community through collaborating and movement-building for the prevention of violence to people and the environment...." Current issues/task forces include:Economic Justice; Education & Human Rights; Environmental Justice; Gender Justice; Immigrant & Refugee Justice (IRJ); Latin American Solidarity (LASC); Prisoners Rights; Racial Justice; and Resist Militarism!

Check your U.S voter registration; register to vote; find your polling place; and more

Order an absentee ballot; apply to become a poll worker; learn about voting machines; and much more

From the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (Georgetown).
Fact sheets for all 50 states " explaining the laws barring unauthorized private militia groups and what to do if groups of armed individuals are near a polling place or voter registration drive."

By Karen DeWitt, WBFO. Includes link to video from League of Women's Voters.

"In recent years, voting by mail has become increasingly common throughout the United States. But absentee voting, including voting by mail, is not a recent phenomenon. A study of historical primary sources can help students gain context and perspective regarding such voting practices throughout our nation’s history...."

Founded by Stacey Abrams, Fair Fight promotes "fair elections in Georgia and around the country, encourages voter participation in elections, and educates voters about elections and their voting rights. Fair Fight brings awareness to the public on election reform, advocates for election reform at all levels, and engages in other voter education programs and communications."

"Founded with 4,000 core members in 1970 to serve as a people’s lobby, Common Cause has grown into a nationwide network of more than 1 million members and supporters, with a presence in 30 states and Washington, D.C." "Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process."

"We advocate for policies to expand voting rights/access, including expanded early voting, resisting voter ID, re-entry restoration of rights and strengthening the Voting Rights Act. We also advocate for policies that intersect with race, gender, economic and other aspects of equity.​"