Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Post

Community is the most valuable asset we have at this time- we must build. We must build. We must build. I'm grateful to have been in community with my brother Marc Philpart for years. When I recognized the need to strengthen our legal and capacity infrastructure here in Minnesota—particularly in response to developments like the Fearless Fund case and related lawsuits—I turned to the leaders I trust. It became clear that Marc had the same realization about nine months earlier and was already building and running Legal Education, Advocacy, and Defense (LEAD) for Racial Justice Initiative at the California Black Freedom Fund. Instead of starting from scratch, Marc and I decided to expand the initiative to Minnesota. Yesterday, we at the Black Collective Foundation MN launched MN LEAD, a new multiracial initiative proactively addressing legal challenges to race-conscious programming, shaping narratives, and supporting strategic efforts to strengthen and connect the ecosystem advancing racial justice. After reading this morning about the direction of the house of representatives election results and learning about current bills giving the Treasury Department greater authority to revoke tax-exempt status from advocacy organizations, I'm realizing this initiative is set to serve even larger purpose than we initially envisioned. Sometimes—especially when it’s needed the most—our work carries a vision far beyond what we can see. But we can't do it without community, I need you all to build WITH us. -->Learn more, partner, and/or give to MN LEAD: mnblackcf.org/mnlead

🤝 We recently talked to Pastor Gabriel Dominguez, Associate Pastor at the Methodist Church in City of Waco, TX, in a podcast, where he shared how Faith & Blue events facilitate collaboration and trust between law enforcement and communities. Pastor Dominguez explained, "The events themselves help in two different ways. They either kick off new partnerships between local churches or nonprofits and law enforcement, or they reinforce ongoing collaborations. For us, it reinforced what we were already doing in the community." 🙌 He recalled a memorable moment during a flyer distribution for a local event: "We were knocking on doors in the projects, and I knew many people there. One guy, skeptical at first, saw an officer with me and asked, 'What is he doing here?' I assured him, 'He's with me, bro. We're good.' This man, who had only interacted with police negatively, ended up joining us." This story illustrates how events can break the ice and foster meaningful connections between law enforcement and community members, even in challenging areas. For those looking to enhance their community engagement strategies, the Law Enforcement Community Engagement Network (LECEN) offers invaluable resources. LECEN provides best practices, peer support, industry expertise, and current research for both sworn and non-sworn personnel in community engagement roles across the nation. Join us in building bridges and fostering trust between law enforcement and communities through impactful community events. Discover valuable resources at Law Enforcement Community Engagement Network (LECEN) to enhance collaborations. Visit https://lnkd.in/edzN4B4a for a stronger, safer community. #lecen #buildingconnections #positivechanges #lawenforcement

It has only been a few years since Juneteenth officially became a United States National Holiday, so some companies may still be deciding how they can best integrate and celebrate this national holiday throughout their companies. Here are some ideas to help get you started: 1. Volunteer as a company at a local event 2. Sponsor a Juneteenth event in your community 3. Expand your company's DEI efforts 4. Invite a civil rights or racial justice professional speaker to come and talk to your organization Happy Juneteenth everyone! The original concept for this post, and some of the ideas were taken from this article: https://lnkd.in/gC5vYHkm.

For my third #EJAFellowUpdate with Equal Justice America, I wanted to share a bit more about the work I have been doing in the housing context during my tenure at CLC. Data shows that unhealthy housing conditions trigger adverse health effects like asthma. D.C. has one of the highest rates of childhood asthma in the nation – almost doubling the national average in some areas of the District. As part of our healthy housing work, the Special Legal Projects team has been gearing up for a whole-building class action on behalf of the residents of a D.C. apartment complex. Aside from obvious Housing Code violations, as part of my work as a law clerk, I have been researching additional legal avenues we could take to help these families. One newly-developing area of the District’s landlord-tenant arena particularly stands out: the Consumer Protection Procedures Act (or the CPPA). The CPPA, in addition to protecting consumers of traditional goods and services, also protects tenants from unfair practices by landlords. For example, recently arguments have been made in federal court that rodents, plumbing issues, and mold – the very housing conditions that can make children and families sick – effectually violates the terms of a lease agreement. It has been interesting to think about the CPPA in this context and to see yet another example of the ways that legislation can be formed to reflect our communities and uphold our simplest tenets. In this case, as my pop might say, “It doesn’t matter who you are! If you break a promise, you have to pay the consequences!” I hope lawmakers will continue to have the courage to fight for such an equitable system. Thank you all for your continued support and, if you are so inclined, here is my EJA Fellows Fundraiser link once more: https://lnkd.in/g5252mZa.

👏 In a recent podcast, Pastor Gabriel Dominguez, Associate Pastor at the Methodist Church in the City of Waco, TX, shared profound insights on how faith-based organizations influence law enforcement culture through community partnerships. Pastor Dominguez emphasized the importance of making community outreach a consistent practice. "We aim for it to be something we do consistently, not just occasionally. Whether it's sponsoring food or engaging creatively with local police departments, the key is consistency," he explained. ✍ A significant moment from the discussion highlighted the value of starting small. Pastor Dominguez noted, "If you're not already engaging with both law enforcement and the community, start small. Local pastors and congregations can be bridge builders." These insights underscore how continuous, genuine engagement by faith-based organizations can positively impact law enforcement culture, fostering trust and collaboration within communities. For those looking to enhance their community engagement strategies, the Law Enforcement Community Engagement Network (LECEN) offers invaluable resources. LECEN provides best practices, peer support, industry expertise, and current research for both sworn and non-sworn personnel in community engagement roles across the nation. Join Pastor Dominguez in fostering lasting bonds between faith-based organizations and law enforcement through consistent community engagement. Discover invaluable resources at Law Enforcement Community Engagement Network (LECEN) for enhanced strategies. Visit https://lnkd.in/edzN4B4a for impactful community building. #lecen #lawenforcement #trustandcollaboration #buildingbonds

Appearing on Dr. Phil McGraw show, I made a powerful call for more Black lawyers in America. Our nonprofit JustUs System, Inc. and law firm The Scruggs Law Firm represent 10 years of answering that call. Currently, only 5.5% of all lawyers are Black. Doubling this number is essential to achieving real equity. From discrimination in the workplace to barriers in education, Black communities face unique challenges. We need more representation to break down these barriers. Join us in the fight for justice. #SCruggsLaw #KansasCityLawyer #KansasCityAttorneys #PersonalInjuryExperts #InjuryJustice #AccidentAttorneyKC #KCInjuryLawyers #BlackLawyers #JustUsSystem #EquityInLaw #ScruggsLawFirm

Here with another #EJAFellowUpdate to let my network know what I’m learning in my internship with the Southern Poverty Law Center and how funding from Equal Justice America is making this possible. Three big takeaways so far. First, shifting focus to state-based litigation is a national trend to combat a SCOTUS hostile to civil rights. But that doesn’t mean that it is any easier in the southern states where SPLC works. The bar to achieve essential measures of justice – e.g. constitutional conditions of confinement and postconviction relief – is still so high, it’s almost impossible to meet. Second, it is really hard to investigate and find a plaintiff for impact-style cases. Impact-focused organizations should invest in on-the-ground relationships (whether by hiring organizers and community advocates, or something else). Third, working for an organization founded on combatting hate and extremism during this election cycle is deeply moving. But also, even though SPLC has a storied reputation and some endowment funds to boot, we’re at the whims of political missions. The problem is that litigation is much slower than the changing winds of politics and public policy focus, so we’re still working on important issues that left the social discourse years ago. EJA provides summer scholarships to law students working in public interest. https://lnkd.in/eRMFYigK

"If not Habitat, then who?" Check out this great video from Habitat for Humanity International on how Habitat affiliates across the nation are working to advance Black Homeownership, from national advocacy to local partnerships. Click the link to watch: https://lnkd.in/g4Gimf6c

Today, Juneteenth, marks a day of freedom and advocacy, and a recommitment to dismantling the systemic racism that persists to this day. Read more lessons from #Juneteenth on the MAZON blog: https://loom.ly/Ve30oFQ

YWCA South Florida is disappointed in the recent decision by the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to block the Fearless Fund from continuing its Fearless Strivers Grant Fund process, as the anti-affirmative action case against the fund moves forward. This is yet another example in a startling trend among anti-affirmative action activists using laws meant to uplift and level the playing field for businesses and entrepreneurs of color to push an opposing agenda. Specifically, this lawsuit aims to turn the Reconstruction-era law section 1981 of the 1866 Civil Rights Act against its initial goal of protecting formerly enslaved people from economic exclusion. Economic opportunities for communities of color, and particularly women of color, continue to lag behind other groups, and the economic gap along racial and gender lines is continuing to widen. Programs like the Fearless Fund and others are crucial and necessary to unravel the historic and structural patterns of economic disenfranchisement of Black communities. We still have a long way to go in equal opportunity, and we cannot lose momentum now. While the outcome of the case is still to come, it has the potential for far-reaching consequences for organizations in South Florida. YWCA South Florida is committed and unwavering in our work to creating a more equitable society through pathways and opportunities for historically marginalized communities. We are not discouraged, and will continue the work we have been doing for more than 104 years. https://bit.ly/4egQPWb