1. Urban School of Self-Defense

Beneficiary: Zahalea Anderson

Cause: Rebuild Zahalea Anderson's Urban School of Self-Defense.

Since the time Zahalea Anderson was inducted into the Martial Arts Masters Hall of Fame and built her "dojo" (a Japanese word for a place of learning or meditation), she has been working to build upon the popular martial arts training center.

Unfortunately, Anderson's business was caught in the cross-hairs of the Long Beach, CA riots, and her business was burned down on May 31st, the day protests erupted. Her martial arts school, which was located at 120 W. 7th St., had been closed since March due to COVID-19, but was scheduled to re-open the very day it was burned down.

And although she can no longer stay in its original location, Anderson plans to relocate somewhere even bigger and better.

Website

2. Justice for Breonna Taylor

Beneficiary: Bianca Austin

Cause: Justice and support for Breonna Taylor's family, fight, and expenses because she still has no arrests made on her case.

Breonna Taylor was sleeping in her home when it was raided by three officers who barged in and shot her eight times.

Eight times. Eight times.

The officers were at the wrong home. She was killed immediately.

The backstory disgustingly gets worse, but the other real tragedy is that there has yet to be an arrest, or even a mere attempt at one, holding her killers accountable despite the internet's efforts to call for justice.

We will never give up on this one. Rest in peace, sweet girl.

3. Jessica Mahone Recovery Fund

Beneficiary: Debra Mahone

Cause: Support Jessica on her road to recovery.

On February 21, Jessica Mahone was driving with her son, Quest, when they were hit head-on by a drunk driver. Jessica suffered a spinal cord injury to her C-3, C-4 and C-5 vertebrae, which are part of the cervical spinal column that controls the central nervous system, which affects breathing, chest, arms and legs. Although it is miracle that Jessica is alive, she is paralyzed from her neck down.

BUT GOD.

She is now showing major progress, thanks to around-the-clock care, rehabbing, and the highly infectious spirit of her amazing mother, who hasn't left her side.

Jessica has a long road ahead, but we have no doubt that Jessica will conquer this whole-heartedly.

4. Brock's Family Home Fire

Beneficiary: The Brock Family, Shawnniece Brock

Cause: Help the Brock family find a new home and support their family.

During a time where we are suffering a pandemic, riots, and civil unrest, one thing that a family never hopes to deal with is an electrical fire taking everything they own.

Well, that's what happened to the Brock family of Birmingham, AL, when on June 4, they were awaken by screams and flames that engulfed their home and belongings.

The Brock Family is currently residing in a hotel until they can find new living arrangements. All proceeds are going towards continuing caring for their family's needs.

5. Bridgette Brantley's Call to Act-ivisim

Beneficiary: Bridgette Brantley

Cause: Bri Confronts Racism Across America

After she wasn't offered a teaching contract for the 2020-2021 school year, Bridgette Brantley decided to hit the streets and answer the call for activism instead. And with the current state of the country, Brantley is looking to visit five cities across the United States (Richmond, VA; Washington D.C.; Minneapolis, MN; Seattle, WA; and Houston, TX) to examine racism and its aftermath in America.

Her campaign surpassed its goal FIVE TIMES in less than a week, which clearly makes a statement that she is both good at what she does, and the people want to hear what she has to say.

A true passion project from a queen who could use all the support we could offer.

6. Marcus Books 60th Anniversary Fundraiser

Beneficiary: The Marcus Books Family

Cause: Support the oldest black-owned bookstore in America.

Marcus Books is the oldest independent Black-owned bookstore in the country.

Sixty years since its opening, the bookstore has become a literary and cultural hallmark, hosting an archive that is comprised of literary royalty and iconic authors such as Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Angela Davis, Terry McMillan, Michael Eric Dyson, Iyanla Vanzant, Nikki Giovanni and so many more of our treasured voices. Just as important are the book clubs, intimate poetry readings, and countless customer conversations that unfold at Marcus.

The Marcus Books Fundraiser will go toward reclaiming a future where Marcus Books doesn't just survive but thrives, evolves, and gives back.

Website

7. Northwest Tap Connection Support Fund

Beneficiary: Melba Ayco | Northwest Tap Connection

Cause: Support this team as they wait to reopen.

The Northwest Tap Connection is a close-knit creative space community of extremely talented black tap enthusiasts based in the south end of Seattle. Like so many, when COVID hit, they were forced to close and somehow sustain business operations to stay afloat.

Since closing, their campaign has raised half of its goal, which they are so adorably grateful for, but they still have a little bit more of a push to go. Regardless, their passionate, eager, and palpable energy will have this group in session for a long time.

Website

8. Teaching Farm for Black Women

Beneficiary: Danita Dani Constable

Cause: Create a farm community in Decatur.

We never received our 40 acres and mule, but our good sis, Danita, doesn't care. She's out here to take it.

Danita, of Decatur, GA is looking to quite literally create a farming community for black women, a skill so incredibly important considering the direction this country is going. Her plans include: purchasing land, buying livestock, farming her land, building housing for those seeking asylum, making a donation to the Farmer's Alliance of Black Farmers, and so. much. more.

Needless to say, she is on a mission--a beautiful mission--and could use our support. She plans to build out this project over the next two to three years.

9. Official Gianna Floyd Fund

Beneficiary: Tiffany Lee of Stewart Trial Attorneys on behalf of Roxie Washington

Cause: The support of Giana Floyd.

"Daddy changed the world!"

Yes he did, baby girl.

For the rest of her life, Gianna Floyd will have access to seeing the death of her father. She will always have access to how the country tried to villainize him for his own murder. Despite this, most of us have taken on a ring of protection to ensure that because of this, she will have the best opportunities afforded to her. It takes a village to take care of all of ours, and nothing is enough.

From Barbara Streisand making her a Disney shareholder, to Kanye West paying for her already competitive college education, hopefully these big gestures can size up to an ounce of the fact that her father was stolen from her.

But at least she knows her daddy changed the world.

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