Justice Kids for Peace
We (Leo and myself, his mom) attended a Black Lives Matter protest and witnessed beautiful yet terrifying moments. As I'm sure you've seen or experienced yourself, so many of the BLM protests are interspersed and/or end with collaborative dance. At our protest, we and many others danced to the Cupid Shuffle; that was when Leo lost any inhibition and found himself blocking traffic, dancing, smiling, and full of joy.
Because that's what kids should be and should be allowed to be - joyful, happy, and inhibited.
Inspired, and a little shaken, to do more to commit to the life-long fight for racial justice, we talked about what we could do. Only a few days later, that's when Leo set up his first activist campaign, Dance for Justice. He took something he loved, invited and inspired others to join him to spread more love and raise awareness and funds for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Leo continues to dance on the sidewalk outside our home every single day.
We're hoping to continue the movement and inspire even more people, especially kids, to join what Leo has decided to call, the Justice Kids for Peace movement where kids use what they love, to spread more love.
Here's how:
-Let's celebrate and inspire kids to use what they love, to spread more love. Tag us on inspiring stories on IG @justicekidsforpeace, and we'll make sure to get the word out for them. #justicekidsforpeace
-Any funds now donated on this GoFundMe will be given directly to three kid-based organizations that use arts, music, and/or sports to inspire and educate kids. The three non-profits are: PeacePlayers, Hip Hop Public health, or A Place Called Home. As we grow, we hope to add/evolve this list.
-We take and distribute in-kind donations to give to those most oppressed and vulnerable.
-We create and sell Justice Kids for Peace hats. 20% of proceeds is donated to (aforementioned) kids-based non-profits.
Other things in the works:
-IGTV (very short) show that interviews and highlights kids doing the incredible work
-Dance for Justice kids book
-501c3
-anti-racist education and awareness
-Justice Kids for Peace pledges
-Continued gratitude and learning
Thanks, all. Let's dance.
Claire and Leo
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Original story
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Hey this is David. My nephew is Leo and he's the best. For so many reasons.
But the other day he went outside, and over the course of an hour, all by himself, with a little bit of chalk and whole lot of ingenuity, he set up his very first fundraising initiative. He made the sidewalk a stage for himself and proceeded to dance for people passing by. He even placed hats out for donations like a seasoned big city busker. He not only danced FOR but WITH a few people too (from a safe distance of course).
He wants to donate all the money he earns to the Black Lives Matter Global Network. He named the initiative "Dance for Justice," which he scribbled all over the sidewalk because he apparently already understands what "branding" is. But more importantly, he understands that something is wrong with the world, and he wants to be a part of making it better, even if he is only 7 years old.
If you can't swing by to see him bust a move (which we'll be posting videos of soon) you can donate right here!
Let's dance for justice, equality, and peace. All proceeds go towards Black Lives Matter Global Network.
