BOA is committed to the long road of anti-racism and fighting oppression in all its systemic forms.
We condemn the brutal murder of George Floyd by police officers. We condemn the brutal murder of Manuel Ellis by police officers. We condemn the brutal murder of Breonna Taylor by police officers. We condemn the brutal murder of Dominique Clayton by police officers. We condemn the brutal murder of Atatiana Jefferson by police officers. We condemn the brutal murder of Ahmaud Arbery by racists with guns. We condemn the brutal hate-filled murder of Nina Pop and the violence inflicted specifically upon Black transgender women. We condemn the brutal murders of Tamir Rice, Mike Brown, Philando Castile, Sandra Bland, Amadou Diallo and the countless others who should be alive today.
We occupy a stance of active anti-racism and commit to using our platform, our resources, our position in the literary world, and the books we publish to remain and become better accomplices in the fight for justice and equity.
As a nonprofit organization, we support ourselves, in part, through donations by supporters who believe in our books and authors. We know that financial support is crucial to the ongoing existence of so many organizations doing incredible and important work in the areas of racial equity and social justice.
As individuals, BOA staff members contribute to Black Lives Matter, The Movement for Black Lives, Campaign Zero, The Free Black Women's Library - Sister Outsider Relief Grant, the National Black Justice Coalition, and in direct giving guided by trusted social justice advocates.
Here is a list of organizations whose work is vital in the dismantling of white supremacy and whose lead, vision, and work we follow and who provide crucial education and information.
This list is by no means comprehensive. Please add to it. May it grow. As the mighty Lucille Clifton wrote, “Let there be new flowering.”
Justice Organizations
- Black Lives Matter
- The Movement for Black Lives
- Unicorn Riot
- Campaign Zero
- The Equal Justice Initiative
- The Coalition of Communities of Color
Literary Organizations
- Cave Canem
- Black Table Arts
- We Need Diverse Books
- The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
- Black-owned bookstores around the country
- The Free Black Women's Library
Antiracist Reading
- An Antiracist Reading List by Ibram X. Kendi (The New York Times)
- Books to Educate Yourself on Racism (Bookshop.org)
- 5 ways to show up for racial justice (ReWire)
