Black August is a sacred time to honor the visionary leaders born in August, mourn those we lost, and recommit to the work of protecting our communities.
First observed by Black freedom fighters in the 1970s, Black August was created to honor political prisoners, raise awareness about the inhumane conditions of U.S. prisons, and uphold Black resistance.
It’s a call to remembrance, action, and the fight for justice. As we reflect, we also build:
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Join our 1M4 Sistas and help shield the village.
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Donate and fuel our mission to keep our people safe, supported, and seen.
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Rest and take care of your mental health.
Let’s make August a month of action and mutual care. We owe it to those who came before us and those rising up now.
“When Black women stand up—as they did during the Montgomery Bus Boycott—as they did during the Black liberation era, earth-shaking changes occur“
— Angela Davis
What We’re Watching
When Crystal recognized that her daughter was in a mental health crisis, she chose care over criminalization. This powerful story shows how the Right Response can change everything. In partnership with 1M4, Georgetown Law’s CICS, and Canopy Roots’ Minneapolis BCR team, this video highlights what community-led crisis response can and should look like.
We’ll be sharing more stories like this soon! 🌿 Learn more about Canopy Roots
Get Involved
The time is NOW to join 1M4 and wrap yourself and your loved ones in safety resources.
If you have been watching us from the sidelines for a while or just found us on TikTok, you are called in now, Sis (and allies/accomplices).
Your voice, ideas, and care are needed in this work and in your local community.
Join us in our Community Platform today!
(don’t let the ‘request to join’ button scare you. We’re just really careful about keeping our spaces safe)
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!
A Mental Health Tip For You
If you’ve been cooped up in the house, it’s time for some fresh air.
Play outside with the kids or just step out and feel the sun on your face for 5 minutes today.
A quick moment in nature can ground you, ease stress, and help you slow down enough to truly enjoy these sunny summer days.
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.
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It’s August so Back to School season is in full swing. Check out our tips for advocating and protecting your young genius this school year.
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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.
