When 1M4 was founded, it was in response to the senseless killings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Ronnie Shumpert, and every Black soul that came before them.
It was a response to the fatigue of being a Black person—particularly a Black mother figure–in the United States. As a community of activated Black women who were ready to turn our anger into action, we came together with the goal of ending police brutality by the year 2038.
Since our start, our mission has evolved and expanded. Today, we are a public safety organization with a focus on mental health for the Black woman and her community.
We’ve become a safe space for our people to get the support, guidance, and advocacy we deserve to truly attain the freedom we seek in this country. Physically and emotionally.
Today though, as we honor the National Day of Protest to End Police Brutality, we want to put the spotlight right back on the mission that started it all. The mission that we continue to move so close to accomplishing with every step we take. The mission that we’re doing TOGETHER simply by coming together.
“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”
— Ida B. Wells
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.
Get to know some of our Sistas and how they inspire us!
Sharonda is a wife and mother of three children. She loves to travel, and beach destinations are her absolute favorite. She is currently the Director of Operations for her household.
Nicole is a wife, step mom of 1 and dog mom of 1. She’s an Engineer by trade and currently works as a Project Management Director. Organization, efficiency and process are ingrained in her life but she also has a passion for music, the arts, travel and food. She enjoys connecting people, whether it’s for resources, jobs, or shared interests.
Case Update on 1M4 Supported Families
With today being the National Day of Protest Against Police Brutality, we want to use today’s update session to say the names of each our impacted families and encourage you to take time to dive deeper into a few of the experiences that these families have endured.
To each of the families, we mourn the tragedy you have experienced and we honor the immensely heavy work you do every day.
Thank you for allowing us to stand with you.
Article of the Week
Please note: This article is heavy. Only read it if you have the mental capacity to do so.
We see our uncles and dads in Mr. Hollman.
“Atlanta police officer fired over church deacon’s death; family pleas for release of video”
How long should law enforcement withhold video footage from the public? Who does the footage belong to?
We have so many thoughts on this topic and we are eager to hear yours.
A Mental Health Tip For You!
Being a Black woman in this country comes with unique struggles. Like our personal fight for equal pay or the inequality we face in the healthcare system. But one of our most burdensome struggles–the one that happens on a daily–is when we have to leave our loved ones. When our Black partner sends us a text saying he was pulled over or when our nephew or son decides to go out a little late. Some of our hardest moments are in the silence as we wait for them to come home safely.
While we can’t take away this struggle, we’re on a mission (we’ve got a lot of them) to help ease the burden by providing you with emotional support from your fellow Sistas and sharing invaluable resources that can support you in protecting your family. Resources like the TurnSignl app. An on-demand lawyer app which livestreams a lawyer over your phone and into the car to give anyone active legal guidance during a traffic stop or police interaction. We know it doesn’t ease all your worries, but it does make the load a little lighter.
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.
Ending police brutality will be a marathon run. Not a sprint. It will not happen overnight. It will take boots on the ground, fingers on the keyboard, and ears on the phone day in and day out. And we won’t be able to do it alone.
For the sake of our mental well-being and yours, we have to do it together. We have to be able to lean on each other for support, rest, and guidance as we keep doing the work.
That’s what we’ve been doing since we started, and after massive wins in decriminalizing mental illness, support for affected families, and providing safe spaces for the women in our community, that’s what we’ll keep doing until we bring this all the way home.
Your Sis In All Of This,
