Hi John,

We began Black August in joy, gathering to line dance in Fort Greene Park, grounded in legacies of resistance that hold joy, grief, and struggle together. Black August was born behind prison walls to honor Black political prisoners and freedom fighters who chose to resist injustice at all costs. That legacy calls us to organize toward a future where every child is safe, every family is supported, and no one is punished for being poor, Black, an immigrant, or otherwise marginalized.

A Trump-aligned Congress has passed a devastating federal budget.The Federal Budget Scam hands permanent tax breaks to billionaires and corporations while gutting Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential programs that millions rely on.

New York’s leader must act quickly to preventhundreds of thousands of families in our state from losing health care, jobs, and the safety nets they need to survive.That’s why we’re calling on Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature to convene a Special Session. Push leadership to act now. Send a message to Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie, and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins urging them to step up and do what this moment demands. They must raise revenue by taxing the wealthiest New Yorkers, protect immigrant communities through the New York for All and Dignity Not Detention Acts, and make sure our public systems are strong enough to meet this moment. They must choose the people they were elected to serve over the ultra-wealthy.

We’ve spent this month honoring the legacy of Black August through action, and we are not stopping now.

Celebrate joy as resistance! Join us this Friday for our final Black August line dancing session in Crotona Park. Those who RSVP and complete our education and child care survey (available in English and Spanish) will receive a free fan, perfect for staying cool and moving through every step.

Reflect on the history of Black August and imagine what’s still possible. Explore Ashes Ashes, a film imagining a future without Rikers Island, and dive into its accompanying digital newspaper featuring voices like Ruth Wilson Gilmore. It’s a powerful lens on how COVID has shaped the experiences of Black communities ever since, an issue we feel deeply as we engage with the inequitable realities of public schools and child care in a post-COVID world. As Black August ends, let this be a reminder that transformation is always possible.