Check out our June Wrap Up!

Here's what we were up to in June [Black Voters Matter logo]( Friend, Welcome to our June Wrap-Up Newsletter!   This month, as we celebrate Pride, we honor the profound impact of the LGBTQ+ community on our world. From the historic Stonewall Uprising, where courageous individuals, including Black and Brown LGBTQ+ activists, fought against oppression, to ongoing struggles against homophobia, transphobia, and injustice—June embodies resilience and solidarity.  At Black Voters Matter, we believe tolerance is just the beginning. We embrace the diverse spectrum within the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating each person's unique journey and contributions. This Pride Month, we reaffirm our commitment to collective liberation: "We will not be free until we are all free." Our journey towards progress must be intersectional, rooted in the understanding that equality and justice are interconnected struggles.  This newsletter will highlight June's events, news, and our efforts across different states, where every action matters. Join us as we continue advocating for inclusive policies and systemic reforms, celebrating resilience and striving for a more equitable society.   Black Voters Matter's Impact 2024 TEXAS JUNETEENTH BUS TOUR In June, we toured Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington for Juneteenth, commemorating the June 19, 1865, announcement of freedom for enslaved people in Texas. The three-day tour began with a Juneteenth celebration hosted by Ms. Opal Lee and a Pride reception with music and voter registration.  Our three-day tour kicked off with a Juneteenth celebration hosted by Ms. Opal Lee, renowned as the "grandmother of Juneteenth." We also joined in Pride and Juneteenth celebrations, featuring music and voter registration efforts aimed at engaging voters for the upcoming 2024 election season.   NC IDME TOUR This month, partnering with Vote Riders, our "Blackest Bus in America" tour empowered Black voters across cities like Charlotte, Greensboro, Durham, Snow Hill, and Greenville as part of our "We Fight Back" campaign. Despite challenges from North Carolina's voter ID law, we collaborated closely with local partner groups such as the NAACP, Holla Center, Anson Men of Action, and the Durham Alpha Chapter, to educate and activate voters.  During the tour, we supported our commitment to combating voter suppression and empowering Black voters year-round through various initiatives. This included providing meals for over 350 community members, conducting door-to-door outreach, distributing election literature, and facilitating follow-ups for ID acquisition. Additionally, we assisted over 100 Black individuals in obtaining crucial documents such as on-site photo identification, social security cards, and birth certificates. We also arranged transportation to the DMV, ensuring they were prepared for the upcoming election season where access to proper identification will be crucial.  The community responded positively, especially at Juneteenth events, demonstrating strong momentum and enthusiasm. We're grateful for the support and will continue to promote civic participation across the state.   Black Voters Matter Updates 'SUPPRESSED AND SABOTAGED' LIVE STREAM This month, we proudly collaborated with Brave New Films, an organization dedicated to producing impactful documentaries and investigative videos. Together, we hosted a livestream event titled "[SUPPRESSED AND SABOTAGED](," aimed at educating and empowering audiences ahead of the 2024 election. This powerful 30-minute documentary dives into voter suppression and election subversion, highlighting the pivotal 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race. During the livestream, viewers had the opportunity to engage in a live Q&A session featuring Rosemary McCoy, CEO of Harriet Tubman Freedom Fighters, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, and our Senior Policy Manager at Black Voters Matter, Rhyane Wagner.  If you missed it, you can catch the entire stream on our [YouTube channel.]( [WATCH LIVESTREAM](   Join Us for the John Lewis Advancement Act Day!  America is at a crossroads, and your involvement is crucial.  Since the January 6, 2021 attack on our democracy, anti-voter laws have surged across the nation, and the Supreme Court has failed to protect the right to vote. With the growing assault on voting rights and human dignity, we must act now to preserve our democracy.  We have a chance to rebuild American democracy and ensure fair elections, accountable politicians, and responsive representatives. To achieve this, we must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, Freedom To Vote Act, Native American Voting Rights Act, and Washington D.C. Admission Act.  Join us on July 17—the four-year mark of Rep. John Lewis’s passing—as we honor his legacy with rallies, community events, press events, and candlelight vigils nationwide. Together, we will demand that Congress act to protect our freedom to vote and rebuild our democracy.  At the meetings on July 2, 9, and 15, 2024, leaders from various organizations will guide us in making July 17 a powerful Day of Action. This event is sponsored by Black Voters Matter, the Transformative Justice Coalition, Declaration for American Democracy, Public Citizen, and more.  Let’s show our representatives that the American people demand a democracy for all. Please RSVP now and join us in this critical movement. [RSVP NOW](   Recharging in July, Ready to Empower in August! In July, Black Voters Matter is temporarily pausing operations to allow our hardworking staff to rejuvenate. We'll be back in August, ready to continue building power in our community with you. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to reconnecting soon! Get ready to make a difference this August with Black Voters Matter!  Upcoming Volunteer Events: - Texting Tuesdays: Join us every Tuesday at 6pm ET for digital organizing through texting campaigns, starting on August 13, 2024, at 5:00 PM. - Volunteer Orientation: Learn more about Black Voters Matter and how to get involved on Tuesday, August 6, and Tuesday, August 20, from 5:00pm to 6:15pm EDT. Bring friends, family, and colleagues! - Postcard Writing: Participate in our virtual postcard parties on Thursday, August 22, from 6:00pm to 7:00pm EDT to send personalized messages encouraging community empowerment. All events welcome volunteers of all backgrounds. Visit our website to register and help build a better future! [GET INVOLVED](   EMPOWERMENT HUB Welcome to our Empowerment Hub!  This is where you'll find valuable knowledge and opportunities for action. Explore educational content aligned with our mission, stay updated on national news impacting Black communities, celebrate milestones, and access helpful resources. It's not just about information—it's about our shared path toward justice.  Let's set out on this journey together, learn, grow, and make a difference!   Celebrating Pride Month and the Stonewall Uprising Anniversary As Pride Month concludes this June, we reflect on the profound legacy of Black LGBTQ+ activists pivotal in advancing equality.  From their role in the Stonewall Uprising to ongoing contributions, their impact is indispensable, highlighting the intersectionality of race and sexuality. Amid challenges like economic disparities and health inequities, LGBTQ+ individuals lead and inspire. Let's commemorate Stonewall's anniversary by reaffirming our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.   While celebrating progress, we acknowledge ongoing challenges—500+ anti-LGBTQ bills in 2024 highlight threats to rights, particularly in Southern states. By honoring LGBTQ+ resilience, we advance toward a just society where everyone lives authentically and free from discrimination.   Gun Violence Awareness Day June 7th was Gun Violence Awareness Day, reminding us to confront the threats facing Black communities—from armed extremism and city gun violence to police shootings—every day.  Extremist groups, enabled by weak gun laws, increasingly threaten safety, while urban gun violence compounds longstanding inequalities in neighborhoods. Meanwhile, police shootings, disproportionately affecting Black individuals, erode trust and undermine community safety.  Effective solutions like violence intervention programs and community collaboration are vital. It's time to demand change—from local policies to federal action—to protect our communities and ensure equity and justice for all. Together, let's work towards a safer future, free from the devastating impact of gun violence.   Juneteenth: Celebrating Progress and Empowering Black Communities "On 'Freedom’s Eve,' December 31, 1862, African Americans awaited the Emancipation Proclamation, effective at midnight, liberating enslaved people in Confederate states. Yet, it’s #Juneteenth that truly marks the end of U.S. slavery, when federal troops enforced freedom in Texas on June 19, 1865. The first Juneteenth celebration occurred in Texas in 1866 and has since spread nationwide.  Black Voters Matter underscores empowering Black communities, reflecting on Juneteenth's history and significance. This includes acknowledging ongoing efforts toward full Black #liberation and combating oppressive legislation targeting Black communities.  Juneteenth allows Black communities to celebrate progress toward freedom and reminds us to protect hard-won rights and strive for justice. The fight continues as discriminatory laws threaten Black communities. Black Voters Matter equips Black people with knowledge, tools, and resources for advocacy, promoting love and joy through community events, building power through collective action and resilience.     National News Impacting Black Communities Stay informed about what's happening in Black communities nationwide! We're here to keep you updated on both the challenges and victories affecting us, whether they make the top headlines or not. Dive into articles covering critical issues and learn about the efforts of our partners and organization as we fight for our communities. - [New voter registration rules threaten hefty fines, criminal penalties for groups]( - [Saturday 'warrant clinics' increase court access in NC]( - [The Black Reproductive Justice Leaders in a Post-Dobbs Era]( - [Supreme court declines to take up case alleging voter discrimination in Georgia]( - [California's Black legislators advocate reparations bills, launching statewide tour]( SUPPORT BLACK VOTERS MATTER TODAY! We're facing an urgent crisis as states consider oppressive bills that harm Black communities. Systemic racism affects employment, education, healthcare, and the criminal justice system.  "We Fight Back" symbolizes the struggle for freedom, combining ancestral tools with those of a new generation. Since the Summer of Protest, social justice movements have empowered young people and marginalized communities.  Your donation to Black Voters Matter amplifies these efforts, advocating for change and ensuring every voice is heard.  Help us create a thriving future for all—donate today! [DONATE](   JOIN THE MOVEMENT [Support voter engagement and capacity-building through our 501c3]( [Support voter mobilization and political advocacy through our 501c4]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Threads]( [TikTok]( [X (Twitter)]( [YouTube]( [Black Voters Matter logo]( Black Voters Matter Fund is dedicated to expanding Black voter engagement and increasing progressive power through movement-building and engagement. Working with grassroots organizations, specifically in key states in the South, BVMF seeks to increase voter registration and turnout, advocate for policies to expand voting rights/access, and help develop infrastructure where little or none exists to support a power-building movement that keeps Black voters and their issues at the forefront of our election process. For more information, please visit our [website](. Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Black Voters Matter Fund, please [click here](.