What Do Reparations Look Like?

“While unchecked discrimination still plays a significant role in shunting opportunities for black Americans, it is white Americans’ centuries-long economic head start that most effectively maintains racial caste today.” – Nikole Hannah-Jones, 1619 Project

In order to address slavery’s ongoing legacy of oppression, racial justice movements have been calling for reparations for Black Americans since General Sherman’s unfulfilled promise of 40 acres and a mule. In 2022, what does this mean, and how should it happen? How do we achieve comprehensive racial repair at a large enough scale to right historical wrongs and finally build a true multiracial democracy?

Liberation Ventures (LV) is the first and only philanthropic organization wholly dedicated to building a culture of repair and winning comprehensive reparations for Black Americans. LV is a field builder that supports organizations working on truth, reconciliation, and reparations. LV’s Co-Founder and Director, Aria Florant, will moderate this two-part series, in conversation with six of LV’s partners in the field. Our aim is that participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of reparations and what grassroots organizations are doing to bring this aspiration to fruition.

Session 1: National Aspirations – Why federal reparations are the north star

March 29 | 1 - 2:15 pm PT / 4 - 5:15 pm ET

LV’s Co-Founder Aria Florant will uncover the history of reparations and moderate a discussion with key organizations that are working towards racial repair on a national level. We will learn about their strategies for nationwide organizing, from education to storytelling to direct action.

Speakers:

• Aria Florant, Co-Founder, Liberation Ventures
• Nicole Carty, Founder, Project Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations
• Melinda Salazar, Co-Director, The Truth Telling Project
• Venneikia Williams, Media 2070 Campaign Manager, Free Press
• Betsy Fairbanks, WDN Member

Session 2: Local Implementation – How organizers are building power in communities

April 14 | 11 am - 12:15 pm PT / 2 pm - 3:15 pm ET

History has taught us that successful movements are rooted in local communities. In this session, we will hear how local reparations efforts are critical to both building public support across the country as well as piloting reparations policies and advancing learning that will then inform the national strategy. You’ll also learn what you can do to support the reparations movement.

Speakers:

• Aria Florant, Co-Founder, Liberation Ventures
• Robin Rue Simmons, Founder and Executive Director, FirstRepair
• Syndi Alexis Scott, Founder and Director, The Amendment Project
• Joyce Hobson Johnson, Co-Director, Beloved Community Center & North Carolina Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission

Thank you to the Fund for Nonviolence and Groundswell Fund for partnering with us for this series, hosted by Women Donors Network’s Jean Hardisty Initiative. The series is open to Women Donors Network members and partners.