Vow of Silence for Black Lives Matter
Donation protected
My name is Zehra Giselle Cheatham . I'm 23 years old. I was born in Minneapolis, MN, and grew up in Las Vegas, NV. Starting the morning of June 8, 2020 I will be taking a vow of silence for the people who can no longer speak: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Botham Jean, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Philando Castile, and countless others. I will not verbally speak until I raise $10,000 for organizations that are paying bails, limiting police interventions, empowering young black women to become innovators in STEM fields, providing a safe space for racial healing, and more. I have chosen to taken this action to stand in solidarity with the BIPOC community. There are many methods of protesting and this is the one I have chose. The BIPOC community has faced years of systematic racism and it's time we put an end to it. It's time to take action and change a system that wasn't built off inclusion for all races in the US. I may be silent for days, weeks, or even months. But my action will speak volumes and I know the world will hear me.
Once the goal is reached I will be donating the money to 5 organizations. The 5 organizations are as follows: Black Girls Code , The Innocence Project , Campaign Zero , Headwaters Foundation for Justice , & The Circle Of Peace Movement . You can click the hyperlink attached to each org to learn more but here is a little blurb about their vision/mission.
Black Girls Code: To increase the number of women of color in the digital space by empowering girls of color ages 7 to 17 to become innovators in STEM fields, leaders in their communities, and builders of their own futures through exposure to computer science and technology. To provide African-American youth with the skills to occupy some of the 1.4 million computing job openings expected to be available in the U.S. by 2020, and to train 1 million girls by 2040.
The Innocence Project: The Innocence Project's mission is to free the staggering number of innocent people who remain incarcerated, and to bring reform to the system responsible for their unjust imprisonment.
Campaign Zero: Over 1,000 people are killed by police every year in America. We are calling on local, state, and federal lawmakers to take immediate action to adopt data-driven policy solutions to end this violence and hold police accountable.
Headwaters Foundation for Justice: They launched The Transformation Fund in response to the murder of George Floyd and the ongoing culture of violence and white supremacy in our society’s systems and institutions. The Fund will make grants to grassroots organizations that provide protesters and community members with immediate needs and to groups that demand change and hold law enforcement and elected officials accountable
The Circle of Peace Movement (TCOPM): The Circle of Peace Movement is a pathway to racial healing and peaceful communities. It works by creating a safe space where people come together on a regular basis to share a meal and engage in respectful conversation. Through circle, we come to understand and care for one another, and find hope and strength to transform our communities. TCOPM reaches out and touches lives in Minnesota and beyond - working to fulfill its mission: To end violence and promote racial healing. TCOPM celebrated its 300th circle meeting on July 25, 2016.
P.S. I will be posting daily updates on the Gofundme as well as well as Instagram. Follow me to stay updated on what it's like to be silent and listen to world around me. @zehra_cheatham
Photo creds to the fabulous Ruben Valera. You can follow his art page on Instagram @valerarts_
June 9, 2020 UPDATE:
Due to the high volume to donations the MN Freedom Fund recieved, they are asking donors to donate elsewhere! I chose the Innocence Project in their place. More info above.
June 12, 2020 UPDATE:
GoFundMe sent over 60% of the money today so I was able to donate $2k to 3 out of the 5 organizations: Black Girls Code, Headwaters Foundation for Justice, and The Circle of Peace Movement. Once I receive the remainder of the money I will donate to the other 2 organizations! I am leaving this fundraiser open for the next week incase we get some other donations! If that's the case then I will donate that money to ACLU! I want to make this as transparent as possible so once I donate to all the organizations I will post the receipts! Follow my instagram for live updates @zehra_cheatham
Once the goal is reached I will be donating the money to 5 organizations. The 5 organizations are as follows: Black Girls Code , The Innocence Project , Campaign Zero , Headwaters Foundation for Justice , & The Circle Of Peace Movement . You can click the hyperlink attached to each org to learn more but here is a little blurb about their vision/mission.
Black Girls Code: To increase the number of women of color in the digital space by empowering girls of color ages 7 to 17 to become innovators in STEM fields, leaders in their communities, and builders of their own futures through exposure to computer science and technology. To provide African-American youth with the skills to occupy some of the 1.4 million computing job openings expected to be available in the U.S. by 2020, and to train 1 million girls by 2040.
The Innocence Project: The Innocence Project's mission is to free the staggering number of innocent people who remain incarcerated, and to bring reform to the system responsible for their unjust imprisonment.
Campaign Zero: Over 1,000 people are killed by police every year in America. We are calling on local, state, and federal lawmakers to take immediate action to adopt data-driven policy solutions to end this violence and hold police accountable.
Headwaters Foundation for Justice: They launched The Transformation Fund in response to the murder of George Floyd and the ongoing culture of violence and white supremacy in our society’s systems and institutions. The Fund will make grants to grassroots organizations that provide protesters and community members with immediate needs and to groups that demand change and hold law enforcement and elected officials accountable
The Circle of Peace Movement (TCOPM): The Circle of Peace Movement is a pathway to racial healing and peaceful communities. It works by creating a safe space where people come together on a regular basis to share a meal and engage in respectful conversation. Through circle, we come to understand and care for one another, and find hope and strength to transform our communities. TCOPM reaches out and touches lives in Minnesota and beyond - working to fulfill its mission: To end violence and promote racial healing. TCOPM celebrated its 300th circle meeting on July 25, 2016.
P.S. I will be posting daily updates on the Gofundme as well as well as Instagram. Follow me to stay updated on what it's like to be silent and listen to world around me. @zehra_cheatham
Photo creds to the fabulous Ruben Valera. You can follow his art page on Instagram @valerarts_
June 9, 2020 UPDATE:
Due to the high volume to donations the MN Freedom Fund recieved, they are asking donors to donate elsewhere! I chose the Innocence Project in their place. More info above.
June 12, 2020 UPDATE:
GoFundMe sent over 60% of the money today so I was able to donate $2k to 3 out of the 5 organizations: Black Girls Code, Headwaters Foundation for Justice, and The Circle of Peace Movement. Once I receive the remainder of the money I will donate to the other 2 organizations! I am leaving this fundraiser open for the next week incase we get some other donations! If that's the case then I will donate that money to ACLU! I want to make this as transparent as possible so once I donate to all the organizations I will post the receipts! Follow my instagram for live updates @zehra_cheatham
Organizer
Zehra Cheatham
Organizer
Denver, CO