Sadly, no one’s coming to save us, but that’s nothing new. Despite everything, we put on our capes, assemble our Sistahood, and rise to the challenge.
Chile 2025 is not playing! Last week, a new administration stepped in, one that’s shown little interest in protecting us from police violence or standing for real justice. And executive orders have been flowing… *deep sigh and eye roll*
It’s frustrating, it’s scary, and honestly, it’s exhausting.
But here’s one thing we know: we’re not wasting energy trying to fix a broken system that’s never been built for us. Instead, we’re focusing on what matters most: our people, our families, and our communities.
Black women have always been the heroes in these fights, and we’re still leading. By sharing resources, starting conversations, and strengthening local connections, we’re creating the safety and support we all deserve.
Let’s keep building the world we want to live in. Share 1M4’s resources in your church, sorority meetings, and wherever else you can.
Because when we come together, nothing can stop us.
“I thrive on obstacles. If I’m told that it can’t be done, then I push harder.”
— Issa Rae
Sista Spotlight
In our community, we team up when needed.
But don’t get it twisted; our Sistas are out there changing lives on their own.
Today, get to know one of our Sistas and see how she inspires us!
Today, we lift up and stand with our Board Member and 1M4 Sista, Laurie Walker Hall. A couple days ago a close family member of Laurie’s was beat up and tased by police. We commend and applaud Laurie for immediately reaching out and speaking up for her loved one. Whatever course of action the family pursues, please know 1M4 will be with them.
”Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Dr. Marting Luther King Jr.
Read Laurie’s statement on what happened and feel free to offer her words of support on the post
Sista Notice: We’d love to host more in-person Sista CheckIns across other cities in the new year, but we need your leadership to make it happen. If you’re interested in hosting, reply to this email, and let’s plan to bring the checkins to your city!
Your Expertise is Needed!
We’re completely revamping The Right Response Directory and need your input to ensure it meets our community’s needs.
This critical resource connects you to alternative first-response programs offering compassionate support through peer responders, clinicians, and trained EMTs for calls like welfare checks, noise complaints, traffic incidents, and mental health crises.
Your feedback is vital for us to improve. Please take a few minutes to complete our confidential survey. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
What We’re Reading
Democratic lawmakers, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Sen. Edward Markey, are urging the Department of Justice to prioritize resources for individuals impacted by police brutality, addressing the barriers many families face when seeking assistance. Read more about their powerful advocacy.
We realize the new administration will likely ignore this call to repair previous harms. But we remain steadfast and undeterred by what is right.
A Mental Health Tip For You!
*Breathe in and out.* Time to get into your Erykah Badu zen mode.🧘🏿♀️
With everything going on, it’s not a bad idea to take a moment to slow down with guided meditations designed for us. Apps like Liberate Meditation offer sessions created by and for our community, addressing unique experiences like microaggressions, ancestral healing, and self-love.
Even just 5 minutes of focused breathing and mindfulness can help reduce stress, improve focus, and remind you to pour into yourself. Prioritize this as a daily, or weekly ritual. Check out these other Black-owned wellness apps.
Spread Some Blessings!
The consequences of police violence extend far beyond the loss of life. For families affected, it’s the loss of income, the sacrifice of basic necessities, and the start of a high-cost legal fight. If you have the capacity, consider donating to 1M4. Proceeds help support impacted families and sustain the work of 1M4 toward ending police violence for good.
Change isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. We must continue to align ourselves with the justice work and show up in spaces that matter. Whether it’s standing against police violence, advocating for non-police interventions, or strengthening our local connections, every action we take pushes us closer to the safety and equity our communities deserve.
Together, we’ll keep showing up, speaking out, and building the world we want to see.
P.S. Let us know how we can improve our directory by filling out the survey that was shared earlier in this email. We value your feedback!
Your Sistas In ALL Of This,
The Ladies Of 1M4
February 8: Confronting the Stigma Mental Health Fair
1M4 is partnering to host a mental health event focused on resources for Black and Brown men at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture on February 8th! We’ll have a table onsite sharing information about The Right Response and engaging with local community members about their experiences with alternative response models. Join us there—we’d love to meet you in person!
1M4 Merch
You Got Your 1M4 Merch Yet?
Visit the 1M4 merch store to make sure you’re representing at court support, protests, or in line at your favorite coffee spot. We want to see YOU in your 1M4 gear. Every purchase goes directly to funding the work of 1M4 increasing access to safety and wellness.
The Mental Health Literacy Collaborative (MHLC) has officially launched its MHL Aware Certification Training.
Mental Health Literacy (MHL) Aware is a 60-minute training (with an optional certification) that benefits professional, personal, and community needs for knowledge, language, and confidence around the topic of mental health. This training is the first step in guiding people to successfully integrate MHL into the fabric of their community. The Aware training focuses on educating individuals about 1) What MHL is, 2) Why it is beneficial, and 3) How they can bring this information to their community. In addition to these core focus areas, the training provides basic, real-world application strategies. The cost is $30 per person for live trainings and $25 for the asynchronous course. Group rates are also available by contacting info@themhlc.org.
