Join Meetup organizers Jasmin Connects (Jasmin Connects!) and Christina Duren (Beautiful Brown Girls Brunch Club) for a deep dive on how Meetup’s Black Justice Network has amplified their impact in their community. They’ll share what inspired them to join the network, how it has motivated them, and how it has influenced their community.
Meetup’s organizer-led Communities for Black Justice and Equity is a network of groups elevating Black voices and experiences, helping to end racial injustice, and continuing conversations about racism.
Main Takeaway:
- What does it mean for you as an organizer that Meetup created the Black Justice Network?
- Christina: In the last 10 years I probably wanted to quit a trillion times, but I know what this movement means not just to me but to black people in general, black women, it has helped me to continue this effort. When Meetup comes on board and says “you’re right, we need to help you amplify this message”, it’s so encouraging, so empowering, not just for myself but for our members too.
- What has been the biggest impact of the Black Justice Network for you?
- Jasmin: As a new organizer, it has really helped me reach out to other network organizers to see how they are doing, how can we collaborate with other projects and joining other sister circles.
- Any advice for organizer who are considering joining the Black Justice network?
- Christina: The work we do as activists can be really lonely and sometimes really disappointing. My advice is to encourage other organizers to join. Because organizers need support too.
Top Q&A Questions:
- What is the best way for white women to show support without speaking over or for the black community?
- Christina: Allies are so important at this time. First, listen. Some people think they can’t join our brunches because it says beautiful brown girls. All are welcome to attend. That is an awesome opportunity to just listen and know, “where do I fit in? And how can I help?” It’s a great place to start.
- I live in New Zealand. Are there non-financial ways to show support for this black justice cause?
- Jasmin: Use your gifts to help. I love to talk, I love activism, I love mental health so I used my gifts as a platform to help the cause that I have always been passionate about. If you like to cook, cook and send food, if you can organize, help organize another organization, everybody has a gift. Whatever you love to do, do that for an organization that is uplifting the black community and investing in the black community.
- How do I join the network?
- The Black Justice network is here and you can see all of the current groups that are in the network.
Whether you already have a group you’d like to apply to join or you want to start a brand new group, you can reach out to apply us by emailing: BlackJustice@meetup.com
- The Black Justice network is here and you can see all of the current groups that are in the network.
Last modified on June 23, 2021
