Friend,

This February, as we honor Black Americans who have made invaluable contributions to our nation’s democracy, it is important to take some time to consider what actions we can take to advance racial equity in the United States.

As a Virginian, I am constantly reminded of our Commonwealth’s painful history of slavery and racial violence. Today, I challenge you to take at least one of the following actions to advance rights for Black Americans in Virginia:

• Call your elected officials and demand the implementation of police and criminal justice reform measures
• Support the Legal Aid Justice Center
• Support Black-owned businesses in Virginia by ordering products or sharing content on social media
• Sign up for NAACP alerts for events and ways to get involved
• Start a conversation with a friend or family member about how you can take active steps to promote anti-racism in your community

There is so much more to be done. As Fanny Lou Hamer put it, “Nobody's free until everybody's free.”

Sincerely,

Jennifer