Juneteenth Toolkit

In America, the journey towards true equality and justice for Black communities has been marked by both triumphs and persistent challenges. As Community Renewal Society reflects on this journey, it becomes clear that embracing the concept of group economics is a vital step towards empowering and uplifting Black people across the nation. By understanding and harnessing the power of economic collaboration within the community, we can drive lasting change and create a more equitable society for all.

In honor of the upcoming Juneteenth holiday, we are pleased to share a toolkit including ways to learn about, support and empower Black communities.

In the Black radical tradition of movement organizing, we encourage our member congregations to plug into active campaigns and grassroots organizing. Here are some key campaigns and also CRS work to get involved in: 

• The Treatment Not Trauma campaign is a Chicago based campaign to re-open 10 shuttered mental health clinics on the south and west sides. The campaign also calls for a city-wide 24 hour hotline for crisis response as well as developing teams of social workers, paramedics and peer-support workers who will respond to crises.

• The Free to Move Coalition works to address transportation issues including pre-textural stops and traffic stops that disproportionately affect Black and Brown people. The Free to Move Coalition has organized political education events about pre-textural stops. To get involved, contact us.

• The Chicago Commission for Public Safety & Accountability (CCPSA) gives input into Chicago Police Department policies and practices. The campaign also created the District Councils that will represent each police district. Attend a District Council Meeting in your police district to get involved and check out our calendar to find and register for the next CCPSA meeting.

• Attend monthly CRS Issue Team Meetings and bimonthly Volunteer Leader Meetings – Check out our calendar.

• Sign our Reparations Pledge

Read about recent work in our community on reparations.

Two Conferences urge Synod to study, develop reparations for African Americans

UCC’s Traci Blackmon among Black leaders gathered in D.C. to push new resolution on reparations

CMS Announces Launch of Reparations Commission Website to Inform Public about Economic Inequities Due to Impacts of Slavery

Evanston City Council Approves $25K Direct Cash Payments in Expansion of Reparations Program

Every state offers victim compensation. For the Longs and other Black families, it often isn’t fair

Essential Readings:

• The Fire Next Time – James Baldwin

• White Fragility – Robin DiAngelo

• The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness – Michelle Alexander

• Long Time Coming: Reckoning with Race in America – Michael Eric Dyson

• So You Want to Talk About Race – Ijeoma Oluo

• Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent – Isabel Wilkerson

• The Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys – Jawana Kunjufu

• Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man – Emmanuel Acho

• White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide – Carol Anderson

• The Politics of Jesus: Rediscovering the True Revolutionary Nature of Jesus’ Teachings and How They have Been Corrupted – Obery Hendricks

• White Space, Black Hood: Opportunity Hoarding and Segregation in the Age of Inequality – Sheryll Cashin

Check out these Black-owned businesses:

• Imani Village 

• Southside Community Federal Credit Union  

• London Towne Houses Co-Op  

• Chatham Park Village Cooperative 

• Black Ensemble Theater

• Boxville Chicago

• Chicago Mahogany Tours

• Forest Acres Fresh Market

• Turner Haus Brewery

• Majani Soulful Vegan Cuisine

• Southside Grinds Coffee Company

• The Silver Room

• Turkey Chop Gourmet Grill

• Stivers Coffee

• The Long Room

• Kribi Coffee Air Roastery

For more, check out this directory of 100 Black Owned Businesses in Chicago.

Additional Resources from Community Renewal Society:

• Reparations and Economic Justice Resource List

• Community Renewal Society Joins Faith Leaders in Washington D.C. to Advocate for Reparations

• Reparations Now! Who Shall Pay Reparations for Our Souls?

• Advance Reparations & Economic Justice

• Faith Community Rallies for Reparations in Evanston

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Faith in Action Assembly

• Watch the film Crawford: The Man the South Forgot

• We Must Breathe and Support the Breath of Others

• Educational Programs Designed for White Church Members Who Want to Learn About Their Power to Change Structural Racism