Earlier this week, the world witnessed yet another unarmed Black man – Jacob Blake – face inexcusable police brutality. Shot in the back seven times, Jacob falls in the line of countless Black and Brown people whose lives were deemed less important to the very enforcement agency that was built to protect and serve us all.
Today, after months (and really, years), of protesting against similar incidences, I know that many in our community find themselves in a state of numbness, sorrow and confusion.
It’s true that 2020 requires a different level of strength and resilience than years past. This year seems to require that we not only process our grief, frustrations and anger at the injustices we experience – but that we somehow also don’t lose the commitment to continue fighting for the future world we wish to create. And I’m not going to pretend that is easy. Yet, as long as we have the power to breathe, we have the responsibility to fight.
Thankfully, there are leaders that we can turn to in these dark times to help lead us towards the light. For this week’s Black Excellence List, we’ve included the social activists of today that are leading conversations on social change, including how we can organize, share information and ensure that our voices are heard and our votes counted.
Follow each of these people across their social platforms and beyond to help give you not only the inspiration but the empowerment to continue creating social change. And as much as possible, rest as you need but stay committed to creating change. It can be done. It HAS to be done.
- Layla Saad: @laylafsa
- Ibram X. Kendi: @ibramxk
- Tamika D Mallory: @tamikadmallory
- Renni Eddo-Lodge: @renieddolodge
- Angela Manuel-Davis: @angelamanueldavis
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: @chimamanda_adichie
- Rachel Cargle: @rachel.cargle
- Shaun King: @shaunking
- Ta-Nehisi Coates: @tanehisipcoates
- Nicole Cardoza: @nicoleacardoza
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