Pictured: ioby project Georgia's First Urban AgriHOOD
The importance of healing
We believe that the work we support in neighborhoods across the US is deeply, intrinsically linked to healing. Many of the resident leaders with whom we work live in neighborhoods that have undergone decades of structural racism and other forms of oppression, from redlining to police violence. When residents of a community come together to build something positive using resources from within the community, it’s both a reclaiming of power and an act of healing. Here are just a few of our favorite projects from last year that explicitly stated a racial or social justice goal:
#TakeEmDown901, a group that raised just over $2500 on ioby, successfully organized a campaign that pushed the City of Memphis to remove two Confederate statues. The statues were removed on December 21, and the parks will continue to operate as public green space, without monuments to institutionalized racism looming overhead. As the ioby project leaders said, “#Takeemdown901 aims to remove glorified confederate memorials from the public spaces of Memphis, TN prior to the 50th anniversary of Dr. King's murder so that everyone is welcome in our community.” We’re so proud to have supported the courageous organizers and 50 project donors in fundraising for their vision of a more inclusive Memphis, and congratulate what is now #TookEmDown901!
In mid-December, the all-volunteer Biking Public Project joined with the Asian American Federation and Transportation Alternatives to swiftly protest New York City Mayor DeBlasio’s renewed push to ban e-bikes. The Biking Public Project has led multiple ioby projects to boost inclusion of women, people of color, and delivery workers in biking decision-making, as well as public perception about who cycles. Their 2012 and 2017 ioby projects each engaged over 150 unique donors and raised more than $6000 dollars. We celebrate this return ioby group for their ongoing commitment to organizing for genuine inclusion in transportation decisions.
Pictured: ioby project Barrier Free - A Socially Engaged Art Installation
What we're doing
It’s no mistake that the work of our leaders is aligned intentionally to dismantle structural racism; in fact, the focus on racial healing is something we as an organization are actively working to support. We have deliberately chosen to grow our presence in neighborhoods with a history of disinvestment. We believe that residents in these communities should not have to move to live in a better neighborhood. We also know that there is tremendous knowledge, innovation, and energy among individuals and groups who step up to lead positive change where they live. It’s our job simply to help provide the platform, training, and resources to help this work make quick, visible impacts. We believe that by partnering with neighbors who are already doing the great work of healing, we can work together to bring about positive change on the personal, local, and national level.
Here are some other ways we, as an organization, have responded to this important work:
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As the urban planning sector continues to be dominated by white men, we decided to create a list of urbanists that reflect the true diversity of who is also leading the positive change in our cities.
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As we continue to earmark 2% of our budget towards racial justice training for our staff, here’s an update on how our funders have responded.
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Executive Director Erin Barnes was born in Charlottesville, VA and attended UVA for college. When she saw thousands of white supremacist gather in her hometown, she along with many Americans, felt obligated to speak out against racism.
It’s no secret that 2017 was a difficult year for making positive change in communities across the U.S. and its territories. Yet, somehow you—our ioby community—put more funds into our neighborhoods faster than ever before, with 35% of ioby projects focused on racial justice alone. During these unprecedented times, we at ioby have looked to our project leaders and found strength, positivity, hope and fuel for our fire!
Other amazing ioby projects working for racial justice and healing:
"The Xs & Os of Race/ism": A Docu-series
Design Justice Platform + Design as a Protest
ATNSC: Center for Healing and Creative Leadership
Barrier Free - A Socially Engaged Art Installation
Georgia's First Urban AgriHOOD
Hollaback! Detroit: Taking It to the Streets
Friends of Chelsea Greenline Advocacy Group
Black Hills Unity Concerts: 2014, 2015, 2016
ATNSC Center for Healing & Creative Leadership
Flip the Table Youth Food Council
Music on the Inside for Young People at Rikers Island
Do you agree? Want to lend a hand? Here are some great ways to take action:
- Search current projects on our website and help them succeed by donating a few dollars or committing to volunteer.
- If you have an idea to make your neighborhood better, tell us what it is and we’ll help you bring it to life.
- Need inspiration? Check out what the Moore family has been able to accomplish in Indianapolis.