Academics for Black Survival and Wellness

**This is the official fundraiser page for Academics for Black Survival and Wellness.**

The recent murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Nina Pop, George Floyd, and many others have sparked an international outcry to protect Black lives and address anti-Black racism. Many Black academics (faculty and graduate students) have had to endure the pressure and responsibilities of academia while watching the gruesome murders of Black people on social media. Many Black academics are coping with extreme trauma, actively resisting anti-Black racism, and taking care of themselves and loved ones. Many non-Black academics want to support Black people during this time and are wondering how to do so. Academics for Black Survival and Wellness is an initiative started by a Black doctoral student (Pearis Bellamy) and her advisor (Dr. Della V. Mosley) to create a week of personal and professional development for non-Black academics in hopes of providing Black people with the proactive allies they deserve and a week for Black people to heal and continue to resist.

The purpose of this week is to intervene against anti-Black racism and other forms of white supremacy as it manifests in academia and, in turn, enhance the safety and wellness of Black students, staff, faculty, and community members. In recognition of the toll that anti-Black racism, white supremacy, and racial trauma has on Black people, Academics for Black Survival and Wellness is calling for White and non-Black People of Color to suspend all research activities and “work” that they benefit from (that does not directly serve Black people) for one week, beginning on Juneteenth, June 19, 2020 – June 25, 2020. The weeklong action is a small intervention acknowledging the productivity loss and exposure to racial trauma that Black people have endured due to anti-Black racism. Many non-Black people ask Black people how they can be supportive, but, within the same day, they are likely able to still be productive and free from the psychological pain associated with this specific form of racial trauma. Black people do not have these privileges. Therefore, in order to truly enact social justice and show solidarity and care for the Black people in your life, use this time to address your own complicity in anti-Black racism and explore how you might promote Black wellness given your roles and environmental contexts.

Please visit our website to learn more, sign the petition, and register for the week. There is information for Black and non-Black people on the website.