Hello Alys,

It has been almost a year since we launched, and we have learned so much. We now know there is strong appetite for action on reparations in Athens. Our fundraising proves people are ready to put their money into repairing harm, and the growing crowds at our monthly gatherings are testament to people's desire to reckon with history and walk into a more just future together.

We'll be using June and July to rest, reflect, and recharge in order to come back stronger in the fall. Watch this space for info on our upcoming events, fundraising campaigns, documentary screenings and more.

A word from our donors

When my mother died, she willed us money from the sale of her home. We used that money to help each of our three children make down payments to purchase their homes. Through Athens Reparations Action, we are making an equal payment to acknowledge that many Black families in Athens are not able to pass down the wealth of homeownership because their homes were stolen.

Get your ARA Swag!

We have t shirts and stickers for sale. All the proceeds go toward Linnentown first descendants. Get yours at one of our events, or send a text to 202-262-2833 or email us at athensreparationsaction@gmail.com

Reparations in the news

Linnentown first descendants Hattie Thomas Whitehead and Bobby Crook were in the New York Times on June 8. Read the article here.

Also in local news, the Athens Clarke County Mayor and Commission approved $500k in funding for the Center for Racial Justice and Black Futures in their annual budget. Construction will begin later this year at The Classic Center.

The Decolonizing Wealth Project hosted a national reparations conference last week in Atlanta, "Alight, Align, Arise." Speakers included author Ta-Nehisi Coates, journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Reverend Doctor Jacqui Lewis, among many others. The project announced funding for local reparations efforts, and Athens Reparations Action will be applying. Read more here.

We need volunteers to help with:

-  Organizing Linnentown Documentary screenings around town. Do you have a group at your place of worship, school, business, or other organization that would be interested? Reach out and we'll help you make it happen.

-  Speaking to historically white communities of faith about the moral imperative to repair harm through reparations. Do you have a faith community that aligns with our vision? We'd love to meet y'all and be in conversation.

-  Mobilizing pledges and donations. Can you talk to 5-10 friends or colleagues who might be able to donate now, or pledge to donate by June 2024?

Contact us to start volunteering with ARA today.

Athens Reparations Action

243 Sunset Drive

Athens GA 30606

(202) 262 2833

athensreparationsaction@gmail.com

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