Given the recent news, we're looking for some positives. Let's start with celebrating Melissa Lucio's stay of execution. Thank you to those of you who signed the petition to help make that happen.
Legislation: We're also happy about the passage of the "MA Driver's License Bill" with a veto-proof margin, offering relief and security for people without papers. The U.S. House passed the "Crown Act", an opportunity to protect Black people from hair discrimination.
Housing: Thank you to everyone who voted at town meetings to support the housing transfer legislation, passing in all towns on the island.
Washington: We're also happy to see the first openly gay, Black woman, Karin Jean-Pierre, named our next press secretary. And, if you missed it, Alondra Nelson is the first Black woman to lead the White House Office of Science and Policy.
Or course, there's still plenty to lament. Read this AAPF piece speaking to how the fall of Roe will disproportionately impact Black women and gender diverse people who want abortions. Join the abortion rally this Saturday (May 14) at 4 corners in Vineyard Haven at 5:00 PM.
Next vigil: We will be in person on Sunday, May 29 at 10:30 AM, Chilmark Library. If you can't be there, please join us virtually -- use this Zoom link. If you get a pass code prompt, please use this: 125857. Please contact Dana Nunes if you'd like to present at an upcoming vigil.
Your participation in the Sunday vigil keeps it going. Please sign up to present. See the names of those previously honored here. Details of how to present are included in the document. Use this resource to find stories of Black women who were killed and amplify their stories.
We're almost there!
Thank you to the many MVBLM members who donated to bring Neighborhood First youth to Martha's Vineyard.Under-served BIPOC youth from Philadelphia, PA will be visiting the week of June 16 - 23. We still need to raise almost $1,500. With a few more donations we can reach our goal. Please contact Eric Adams and make a donation to support this important program. (Photo credit to Vineyard Gazette)
You're Invited!
Join usfor refreshments and learning on August 7 at the home of Geraldine Brooks. Find out more about America’s most important and effective voting rights group: the New Georgia Project Action Fund founded by Stacey Abrams, and now led by special guest, Nse Ufot. In exchange for an individual contribution of $500we will gather to hear from Nse about the New Georgia Project Action Fund’s groundbreaking work. Find out more about its plans for 2022, 2024, and for promoting voting rights and voter participation in Georgia and other critical battleground states.
Angst to Action
Ukraine:Near the start of this horrific war of unprovoked aggression and genocide against the people of Ukraine, a young man from Philadelphia named Markus Adams went to Poland to volunteer. He made connections and is now back home raising money for people he personally knows getting essential, life-saving supplies where they're needed most. This appeal has a personal connection -- Markus is the son of our very own MVBLM activist, Eric Adams. Please take a moment and help Markus meet his GoFundMe goal and donate to help Ukraine.
Abortion Rally: For those on island, please join the abortion rally on Saturday, May 14 at 5:00 PM.
Free Black Mammas! If you missed supporting the national bail out effort to get mammas out of jail for Mother's Day, you can still help.Find out more here.
Housing needed: The new director of the Chilmark Community Center is in need of housing this summer -- July 15 through August 27. Can you help? Please contact Dana Nunes for more information.
Listen to Shed, a podcast series featuring interviews with islanders working to end systemic racism. Eric Adams leads each discussion using the unique lens of a therapist. Listeners are invited to "shed their old beliefs about race and make room for a new understanding of it's impact and implications."
