Protests, marches and vigils are taking place around the world, after the murder of George Floyd on the 25th May, in a bid to enforce change as the Black Lives matter movement gains support and momentum from communities globally.

Today, on Tuesday the 2nd June, the world is hosting #BlackoutTuesday in honour of the movement and in remembrance of all the lives lost to policebrutality and racial profiling. At The Sole supplier and The Sole Womens, we are taking part in the blackout and remain in solidarity with the Black Lives matter movement, which has our unwavering support and encouragement.

If you want to join us in support of the anti-racist movements happening across the world right now, here’s how you can help:

Donate

Below is a list of funds you can donate to in support of the Black Lives matter movement.

The official George Floyd Memorial Fund

Donations to the GoFundMe set up by George Floyd’s family will cover funeral expenses, mental and grief counselling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings and the care and education of Floyd’s children.

Donate here

The Bail Project

With a simple goal in mind, The Bail project works to “secure freedom for as many people as possible and fuel momentum for equal justice.” This fund pays bail to prevent systematic incarceration and fight against racial economic disparities.

Donate here

Black Lives Matter

This fund supports the organisation’s ongoing fight to end state-sanctioned violence, put a stop to racial profiling, liberate black people and end white supremacy forever.

Donate here

Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust

Named after Stephen Lawrence, a black teenager who was killed in South east London in a racist attack, this fund supports your people to transform their loves by overcoming disadvantage and discrimination by encouraging diversity in businesses and continuing to fight for justice and fairness.

Donate here

The movement For Black Lives

This fund supports Black-led rapid response efforts and long-term strategy, policy and infrastructure investments in the movement’s ecosystem. This fundraiser is made up of hundreds of organisations that enforce actions, messages and campaigns.

Donate here

Reclaim The Block

Reclaim The block works to ensure that communities have the resources they need to thrive in Minneapolis. It helps out in crisis’ such as housing shortages, addiction and violence and uses the funds to invest in violence prevention, resources for youth and emergency mental health response teams.

Donate here

Educate

Below is a list of books you can read, podcasts you can listen to, documentaries you can watch and Instagram accounts you can follow that support the Black Lives matter movement.

BOOKS

Why I’m No longer talking To White people about Race – Reni Eddo-Lodge

Taking a look at the structural racism that exists in the UK, this book by Reni Eddo-Lodge picks apart the nature of white privilege and racial bias.

Freedom Is A constant struggle – Angela Davis

This book compiles Angela Davis’ thoughts and essays on everything from the ways in which racism has clouded feminism through the years, to the legacy of Apartheid.

They Can’t kill us All: Ferguson, Baltimore, and A new era In America’s Racial Justice movement – Wesley Lowery

Lowery is a reporter for The Washington post and spend most of Obama’s second term in office travelling to cover the deaths or unarmed black men by white police officers. This book starts with Lowery’s own aggressive arrest then goes on to describe the evolution of the Black Lives matter movement from the front lines.

Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Ifemelu, the protagonist in Adichie’s Americanah, gives a sharp-eyed look at the non-American black experience in the US, in Nigeria and beyond.

Girl, Woman, other – Bernardine Evaristo

This novel by Evaristo follows the lives of a dozen British people, mainly female and mainly black. The characters range between 19 and 93 and each of their stories are empathetic, imaginative and show perseverance and portraits of struggle.

PODCASTS

The diversity gap by Bethaney Wilkinson

This podcast by Bethaney Wilkinson explores the gap between good intentions and good impact as it relates to diversity, inclusion and equity.

Pod save the people by Crooked Media

Pod save the people attempts to better understand the issues surrounding news, culture, social justice and politics.

1619 by The new York Times

This podcast tells the story of the history of slavery and how it shaped America as we know it. It shines a light on racism, dispossession and misinformation.

DOCUMENTARIES and FILMS

When They See us & The central Park 5

This is a four-part series on Netflix based on the lives of five teenagers-to-men who were wrongfully convicted of the rape and attempted murder of a Trisha Meili – a woman who was jogging in central park. When They See Us is the series and The central Park 5 is the documentary, both available on Netflix.

LA 92

This documentary features previously unseen footage that’s shaped into a fresh retelling of the 1992 Rodney King trial and the verdict that caused civil unrest. watch on Netflix.

The hate U Give 

In this film, Starr Carter witnesses the shooting of her best pal by the police and struggles with the decision of whether to testify or not. You can watch The hate U give on Amazon Prime and HBO.

King In The Wilderness

Told through the stories of the people who were around him, this film follows Martin Luther King Jr. during his last years from the passage of the Voting Rights Act to his assassination. You can watch this on HBO.

Becoming

Following Michelle Obama’s book tour after the release of her bestselling biography, Becoming, this documentary looks at Obama’s life, hopes and her effortless connection with other. You can watch becoming on Netflix.

13th 

This documentary explores the history of racial inequality in the us and, more specifically, the fact that the country’s prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans. watch now on Netflix.

The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution 

This documentary explores the origin and rise of the Black Panther party in the 1960s and the impact it had oh civil rights and american culture. You can watch this on Amazon Prime!

Freedom Riders

Exploring the inspirational story of American civil rights activists’ serene fight against racial segregation on buses and trains in the 1960s, this documentary is available to watch on Amazon Prime.

Shame in the Game: racism in Football

This documentary explores incidents of racism in football in the UK and looks at the players at every level of the game who are calling for drastic action. watch on BBC Three.

SPEECHES

Meghan Markle

John Boyega

Black parents explain how To deal With The police | Cut

Let’s get to the root of racial injustice | Megan Ming Francis | TEDxRainier

INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW

@no.white.saviors

@bitter.blush

@salty.world

@ethereal.1

@renieddolodge

@rachel.cargle

@jameelajamilofficial

@ollie_danger

@shakka.d.badmon

@colourofchange

Communicate

Here’s how you can effectively communicate with those around you.

Talk to those around you about their struggles, listen to the stories of the Black Lives matter movement and, if you’re not in a position to donate, sign and share important petitions that will work to enforce global change and attitudes. below are some petitions you can sign and share with your community:

Petition To seek Justice For George Floyd

This petition aims to get the attention of Mayor Jacob Frey and DA Mike Freeman to call for officers involved in the murder of George Floyd to be fired and charged.

Sign here

Petition To Defund The Police

This petition calls for radical, sustainable solutions that affirm the prosperity of Black Lives matter throughout America.

Sign here

Donate. Educate. Communicate.