Dear Cambridge Naturals Community:
We’re certain that most or all of you are consumed by the tragedies unfolding in the nation right now: the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, countless others before them; the failure of law enforcement to protect those most vulnerable; the insidious, pernicious racism that has continued to thrive in our country for over 400 years [the system isn’t broken, it was built this way]; and meanwhile, the global coronavirus pandemic still taking thousands of (disproportionately black and brown) lives every day. It is so much pain and anguish; it is almost too much to process.
As an organization that strives to create a healthier, more just and equitable world in all we do, it is also our responsibility to learn, to speak out, to try to do better every day - for social justice, racial justice, environmental justice.
The CN ownership team has made - and will continue to make - personal financial contributions, to many of the organizations listed below. We are also doing our own work, as white people, to understand our own internalized racism and complicity. We believe that Anti-Racism Work IS Wellness Work. Our community’s health depends on it. On social media, we will be spending the next week (June 1st-June 7th) amplifying the voices that are not always heard/shared, as part of the #amplifymelanatedvoices challenge. The work goes on, forever.
We strongly encourage ALL who seek health and wellness to speak out, learn, educate yourself, donate, support black leaders and organizations and educators with your dollars.
A compiled list of many is below.
Thank you for being our community,
Emily, Caleb, Michael & Elizabeth & the CN Team
(Many of the organizations in Minnesota were sourced via Reclaim the Block)
Black Visions Collective - Black Visions Collective (BLVC) believes in a future where all Black people have autonomy, safety is community-led, and we are in right relationship within our ecosystems.
Minnesota Freedom Fund - We value a society that values its people, their freedom and recognizes their contribution to the greater good. A society that does not condition pretrial freedom on class or identity, that has ended mass incarceration, and that invests in restorative and transformative justice.
Reclaim The Block - Organizes Minneapolis community and city council members to move money from the police department into other areas of the city’s budget that truly promote community health and safety.
Black Immigrant Collective - The Black Immigrant Collective amplifies and makes visible the voices of Black immigrants in Minnesota.
Black Table Arts - Gathering Black communities through the arts, towards better black futures.
Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha - CTUL is a worker-led organization where workers organize, educate and empower each other to fight for a voice in their workplaces and in their communities.
Du Nord Riot Recovery Fund - Du Nord Craft Spirits is a Black-owned distillery with a building that was damaged. They’ve “received a tidal wave of love and support from across the nation and many have asked how they can help… Therefore, Du Nord is establishing this fund to support black and brown companies affected by the riots.”
Isuroon - Isuroon is a grassroots nonprofit organization working to promote the well-being and empowerment of Somali women in Minnesota and beyond.
Little Earth Residents Association - Food and safety needs for residents of Little Earth of United Tribes.
Migizi Communications - MIGIZI Communications advances a message of success, well-being and justice for the American Indian community. Support them rebuilding after fire.
Minnesota Healing Justice Network - We provide a supportive professional community and mutual aid network for wellness and healing justice practitioners who also identify as IBPOC (indigenous, black, or people of color).
Northside business support - support businesses on Minneapolis’s Northside that have been impacted by recent demonstrations.
Pimento Relief Fund - We’re partnering with Pimento to provide black business without insurance relief after white supremacists set them on fire during the protests.
Powwow Grounds - send via paypal to angelswann2021@gmail.com - Native-run cafe, currently providing meals to elders, protectors and community, purchasing medical supplies, fire supplies, cooking supplies.
Southside Harm Reduction- Southside Harm Reduction Services works within a harm reduction framework to promote the human rights to health, safety, autonomy, and agency among people who use substances.
Spiral Collective - A volunteer full-spectrum reproductive options and support group comprised of doulas, birth-workers, and passionate reproductive justice advocates. based in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, occupied Dakhóta territories.
Women for Political Change - Holistically investing in the leadership and political power of young women and trans & non-binary individuals throughout Minnesota.
Unicorn Riot - A decentralized media organization that has been live-streaming uprisings
NAACP Legal Defense Fund - America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans.
Join Campaign Zero - We can live in a world where the police don't kill people by limiting police interventions, improving community interactions, and ensuring accountability.
The Bail Project - The Bail Project™ National Revolving Bail Fund is a critical tool to prevent incarceration and combat racial and economic disparities in the bail system.
BOSTON/MA
You Good, Sis? Local collective for Black and Brown women looking for a mental, spiritual check in
Massachusetts Bail Fund The Massachusetts Bail Fund posts bails of up to $2000 in Essex & Suffolk Counties in Massachusetts.
Black Lives Matter Boston Boston’s chapter of BLM, working to raise new Black leaders, create a network for Boston Black folks, and end violence against Black people
New England Innocence Project (NEIP) - Founded in 2000, the New England Innocence Project (NEIP) fights to correct and prevent wrongful convictions and ensure justice within the criminal legal system for innocent people throughout New England who are imprisoned for a crime they did not commit.
Support Black Owned Companies in Boston - #BuyBlack
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - free or sliding scale
Radical Well-Being Center Radical Well-Being Center offers psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families, group therapy, massage, acupuncture, reiki and decolonized healing and energy work, nutrition counseling from a non-diet/Health at Every Size/intuitive eating perspective, educational workshops, and community events.
Therapy For Black Girls So often the stigma surrounding mental health issues and therapy prevents Black women from taking the step of seeing a therapist. This space was developed to present mental health topics in a way that feels more accessible and relevant.
Dive in Well Offering digital classes on various wellness practices, to create a more inclusive wellness industry. Dive in Well hosts donation-based digital events like breathwork classes and therapy sessions aimed at centering self care.
Dr. Jennifer Mullen of @decolonizingtherapy Dr. Jennifer Mullan (Pronouns: She/ Her) creates spaces for people and organizations to heal. She believes that it is essential to create dialogue to address how mental health is deeply affected by systemic inequities and the trauma of oppression, particularly the well-being of Queer Indigenous Black Brown People of Color (QIBPOC).
Inclusive Therapists Seeking counseling or therapy can be a vulnerable process. To that, add the challenges that marginalized populations face such as micro-aggressions, prejudice, and language/ financial barriers. Getting the right help can become an overwhelming task. Finding a therapist should not feel like a gamble. All identities in all bodies deserve equal access to quality, culturally responsive care. We aim to make this process simpler and safer.