Our volunteers stand united against police brutality and racial injustice

Our art is helping to raise awareness for the
BLACK LIVES MATTER movement

During this iconic moment in history, I decided to make a piece of art which reiterates and embodies a quote by Malcolm X which seems incredibly relevant today: ""The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman." During a time in which Breonna Taylor and many other women have lost their innocent lives at the hands of corruption, this quote resurrects its relevancy now that the public has grown consciously aware of these horrific acts of violence against innocent, pure souls. I wanted my painting to also act as a test to public consciousness in correlation to this quote.
Since I’m Indian, as a kid I never knew why people made fun of me for it. I thought they had something against Indians and they decided to take it all out on me. For four years straight, I came home crying everyday because of the bullying I endured and not one person did a single thing about it. It wasn’t until I was older that I truly understood what racism really was. This art spoke out to me because it reminded me that despite the terrible people out there, at the end of the day, we are all human.
By_ A.L.M
By_ Becky Tran
Even during such extraordinary times, we stand together; for eachother.
The struggle and power of blacks to raise their voice and demand justice
This piece of art shows the significance behind the Black Lives Matter movement. It shows the wide variety and difference of the people who are protesting for equal rights for everyone, regardless of skin color. The wide age difference, race, and background difference of people protesting are represented in this collage, which I think is very meaningful because it shows the amount of involvement. Quote: “The best way out is always through.”
The meaning behind this art is that oppression only made black people stronger and louder. They were silenced for years, and now they will make sure their voices are heard. We must join them and spread awareness about the injustices they face. Their riots, and protests are to show others that they are hurt and demand justice. The hands symbolize the strength that they have. It encourages everyone, of all races and colors to take a stand with them. Help them get justice! #blacklivesmatter
"We all bleed the same color" refers to the fact that we are all equal, even if we look different because we are all human, and made up of the same substances. The chains that are locked around the wrists demonstrates the fact that we are all in this together, side by side. The "blood drops" symbolize the prejudice, violence and injustice faced, especially by the Black community. Lastly, the closed fists symbolize solidarity and support for this movement.
It’s supposed to represent an overwhelming feeling of all the racism occurring. By making a collage of pieces that are typically not arranged and neat but still portray the message, it shows how impactful it is all together.
Friendship over Color
Black peoples shouldn’t be ashamed for their skin color and they should most definitely not get treated unfairly because of that either.
As a female black teenager living during this time, I feel like I am being overwhelmed with the protests and news regarding black lives matter and the recent incidents of police brutality. I wanted to highlight the phrases that impact me the most and what I feel are the most important. It’s hard to balance everything that is going on but it is important that the world is finally having this conversation as we have experienced these injustices our whole lives.
“The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.” - John F. Kennedy
Regardless of color, culture, creed, or sexual orientation, we are all still human, and we are still beautiful.
The color of someone’s skin should not and cannot dictate what opportunities are given to someone, where someone can live, what is assumed about someone’s character, or whether someone can make it to tomorrow. We must recognize that we are all human beings, and that all lives can’t matter until black lives matter. We must unite, work together, respect one another and see the abundant beauty behind every culture.
BLMArt1 - Alina L
image_6487327 (1) - Amulya Madugula
image_123927839 (3) - Amulya Madugula
6E80E500-A1B4-4C9F-ADEE-52271A2B8DE1 - Kabe Sayikumar
By_ Sonal Gupta
By_ Ariane Lemaire
By_ Jason Zhao
It shows a bit of the past and our country’s current status. The lungs represent George Floyd’s death in the past which began the events today. The present is shown using the quote, how we are the change, which is the present with our speaking out, social media support, and protesting.
I wanted people to know that they should stand up for what is right. In our modern society, we should not be experiencing these horrible events that are discriminating people based on the color of their skin. No one should be silent in these troubling times.
The meaning behind my art is to bring justice to all black lives. They have faced endless conflicts than we can imagine I decided to add the word justice and the symbol for justice to my art.
IMG_1599
My art is generally to support BLM and really just racial equality in society that’s why I used different skin toned colours. On the top there is a quote from Martin Luther King. In the background there are names of black people who were innocent but killed by the police over the past decade or so and the month and the years which they died is written somewhere on the drawing. This drawing means a lot to me and it’s very powerful for me.
The butterfly is the symbol of transformation for new life by letting go of old cycles and finding your own voice. The BLM is a collective transformation for the birth of something new.
The hands signify the victims of police brutality who put their hands up in an effort to prove their innocence. The words in between the hands is the common slogan associated with the BLM movement.
Our country's values are based on justice and freedom for all, but clearly, our nation is not following those principles. Hence, the "With liberty and justice for all" from the pledge of allegiance written on the fist. The names written on the stripes of the flag, are just a few of the victims of police brutality within the last few years. There were hundreds more, but I could only fit a few names.
The Red and Black American Flag represents and commemorates the innocent black lives that have been lost over the years and the raised fist is a symbol for unity and solidarity to represent how citizens are uniting to finally overcome racial inequality. The purpose of making this was to spread awareness through the power of art because “there comes a time when silence is betrayal (Martin Luther King)” and this is that time. We can no longer stay quiet and it’s time that everyone fights to end racism. I included the names of only a fraction of innocent black citizens that were killed by police in recent years and I also included pictures of recent protests that have been taking place to display how many people are finally waking up and seeing the reality of black lives.
I created this collage/art piece to support the famous quote, “Say Their Names.” This piece includes pictures and names of a mere fraction of all the innocent black people that lost their lives due to police brutality. Too many mothers have lost their children. Too many children have lost their siblings. Too many kids have lost their parents. Enough is enough. How many more lives have to be lost for people to see what’s happening? How many more lives have to be lost for change it occur?
I wanted to make it clear to people that fighting for equal rights for black lives shouldn’t be a trend of something you just post on your story. It is something we are going to have to work to improve.
This shows the people of the black community protesting for black lives matter. By illustrating an American flag on the poster saying “black lives matter” it describes that America should be united and treat everyone equally.
I drew the Black Lives Matter fist as a way to demonstrate my alliance to the movement and my Black community. I enjoy drawing realistic hands in different positions that hold a deeper meaning within them. Hands are what we use everyday for nearly everything, especially for taking action when there’s injustice that has been going on for centuries in our country.
The meaning behind each piece of art resembles the much-needed change in society and heightened appreciation for black lives around us. Change is needed, and the time is now to do so, which is why being aware of the injustices in society today is important. I wanted to create simple, yet meaningful pieces to bring awareness to how people can support the black community, especially during a tough pandemic.
The meaning behind each piece of art resembles the much-needed change in society and heightened appreciation for black lives around us. Change is needed, and the time is now to do so, which is why being aware of the injustices in society today is important. I wanted to create simple, yet meaningful pieces to bring awareness to how people can support the black community, especially during a tough pandemic.
The meaning behind each piece of art resembles the much-needed change in society and heightened appreciation for black lives around us. Change is needed, and the time is now to do so, which is why being aware of the injustices in society today is important. I wanted to create simple, yet meaningful pieces to bring awareness to how people can support the black community, especially during a tough pandemic.
By_ Sandra V.
By_ Haley S.
By_ Sonal Gupta (1)

7 Steps to do YOUR part

  • Register to VOTE
  • Check in on Black friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances.
  • Educate yourself- it is your job to learn about racial injustices and what YOU can do to help.
  • Donate to organizations that support racial justice and equality if you have the means to do so. Every dollar counts.
  • Read the news and pay attention to social media- ignorance is NOT bliss.
  • Choose action over inaction. Attend protests, sign petitions, and share your support online, regardless of your follower count. Your voice is powerful.
  • Support Black owned businesses and help Black families who have lost loved ones in killings- anything from a letter of encouragement to a small donation helps

BLM Partner Organizations