Happening May 15th, the Rosenberg Foundation will host a viewing of American Agitators, a documentary that dives deep into the life and impact of Fred Ross Sr.—the unstoppable force behind generations of grassroots leaders. Immediately following the documentary, a live panel with director Raymond Telles and other dynamic workers’ rights leaders will take place. For more details on the event, and to RSVP, follow the link here.

 

In the wake of devastating political setbacks, Ludovic Blain—Director at California Donor Table (CDT) — is urging progressives to stop playing defense and start building lasting power from the ground up. “It may seem like a reach in these traumatic times when the bedrock of our government are teetering and under threat. But we can do this. We can help rebuild a society where the government works for the people, not the powerful, and where we protect everyone’s basic rights and their opportunity to thrive.” Ludovic shares CDT’s hard-won victories and the transformative movements of the past, and demands funders go all in to spark a new Progressive Era. Read the full piece here.

 

 

Californians for Safety and Justice Executive Director Tinisch Hollins speaks against Proposition 36 during a news conference announcing Oakland’s new trauma recovery center. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez & The Oaklandside

 

“Cutting funding for organizations that serve survivors of violent crime and their families will not improve public safety,” said Tinisch Hollins, Executive Director of Californians for Safety and Justice and California state director of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice. The U.S. Department of Justice announced this week it is cutting off hundreds of federal grants, a move that will hit many Southern California groups hard — especially those helping victims and fighting crime. “These programs focus on community violence intervention, mental health, and trauma recovery — approaches that have contributed to record drops in violence in many cities,” Tinsich recently told the Los Angeles Daily News. Reuters reports the department is pulling back 365 grants worth $811 million across the country. Read more here and see the list of target programs here. 

 

Urban Peace Movement and other members of the Alameda County District Attorney Accountability Table are criticizing California’s Proposition 36, arguing that it has led to increased criminalization rather than the promised rehabilitation and treatment. “Since January, we’ve seen 31 new cases charged as felonies in Alameda County for people convicted of petty theft more than once,” said Brendon Woods and Yoel Haile in this op-ed with Oakland Voices. The law disproportionately affects people of color, particularly Black residents. The use of decades-old convictions to justify harsher penalties and the lack of adequate treatment funding further compound the problem. Members of the Alameda County District Attorney Accountability Table are urging a shift away from punitive measures toward community investment in public health, housing, and social services to address the root causes of crime. Read more here. 

 

ICYMI: 

  • Check out this conversation with Kristin Powell, Principal of Black Futures Lab, in Nonprofit Quarterly where she discusses building rural Black political power, the Black Economic Agenda, and how she’d like to see real partnership between philanthropy to invest in Black rural communities.

 

  • Allison Magee, President & Executive Director of the Zellerbach Family Foundation, reflected on her time last month joining colleagues and partners, including youth justice systems leaders and advocates, on their Journey to Justice to Aotearoa, the Māori name for New Zealand. Read more here.