Reparations Circle update
Hello Friends,

We hope that you are doing well during these challenging times.

We appreciate your interest and commitment to the CTTT - RVA Reparations Action Circle to "repair what is broken" and move reparations from discussion to action.

As promised, this is the first of our every other week communication initiative about upcoming opportunities and how you can help. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Tina Slaughter and Frank Moseley II
Reparations Circle Co-Conveners

Reparations Activity From Around The Country
Asheville, North Carolina - City Council adopted a resolution (July 14, 2020) formally apologizing for enslavement and forced segregation and the destruction of successful black communities in the area; directed the City Manager to develop recommendations to create generational wealth; and, established a Community Reparations Commission to make recommendations to repair the damage caused by systemic Racism. The resolution does not make any direct payments to local black families. See this NPR article for more information.


Evanston Illinois - City Council, in November 2019, approved a plan to use the sales tax revenue collected from newly legalized recreational marijuana purchases to a fund reparations. The Council created a sub-committee to work with residents, City staff and experts to explore and identify programs and opportunities to be supported by the Reparations Fund. Get more information at


California - General Assembly passed a bill creating a task force to study what reparations should look like, who would be eligible to receive compensation, and recommend, among other things, the appropriate mechanism for redress as it pertains to California’s role in the enslavement of Black people. The bill needs to be approved by the State Senate and signed by the governor to become law. See the following for more information:

What's Next

Brown vs Board of Education Scholarship Program: We continue to support the expansion of this program to extend beyond to descendants of the students impacted by the closing of public schools in Prince Edward and other VA counties. Watch for information about the ‘Write-In Campaign’ during the next legislative session. - LEARN MORE

Reparations in VA: Given our state's political climate and an unprecedented desire to create lasting equity and ensure equality in this country, we feel that now is the time to create a reparations commission right here in VA. Let's explore and identify opportunities and actions that can help us make this happen.
Please include me in this discussion:
Yes
No
SAVE THE DATES

August 27-28, 2020 - Join the thousands - virtually - who will March on Washington to set forth a bold new Black agenda restore and recommit to the dream. - LEARN MORE

August 28, 2020 - "Commitment March: Get Your Knee Off Our Necks" - This inter-generational inclusive day of action in Washington DC will demonstrate our advocacy for comprehensive police accountability reform, the Census, and mobilizing voters for the November elections. - LEARN MORE

August 28, 2020 - At 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT, the Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) and Electoral Justice Project will host the 2020 Black National Convention (BNC) live broadcast. - LEARN MORE

SEPTEMBER 3rd, 2020 (TENTATIVE) -
Join us as we virtually talk with Robert Thomas, the Community Liaison of The Racial Justice Coalition in Asheville, NC. To learn more about the role of the Coalition in the successful passage of the Ashville Reparations Resolution please see Racial Justice Coalition in Asheville NC. More details to come soon.   
Because of the on-going debate about the meaning of ‘reparation’ and the necessary action steps, it is critical that you become as knowledgeable as possible about the debate and the history of reparations. Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize winner investigative journalist and creator of the 1619 project, provides excellent background information and arguments for reparations. Please take some time to review this material during the next couple of weeks.

"What I’m talking about is more than recompense for past injustices—more than a handout, a payoff, hush money, or a reluctant bribe. What I’m talking about is a national reckoning that would lead to spiritual renewal. Reparations would mean the end of scarfing hot dogs on the Fourth of July while denying the facts of our heritage. Reparations would mean the end of yelling 'patriotism' while waving a Confederate flag. Reparations would mean a revolution of the American consciousness, a reconciling of our self-image as the great democratizer with the facts of our history. "
- Ta-Nehisi Coates

COMING TO THE TABLE - RVA | comingtothetable-rva.org