Before we jump into this week’s newsletter, click the video above for a personal invite from our Founder, Tansy. It’s time we call you in to share 1M4’s lifesaving resources directly with your folks. (Folks = anyone you care about who is in your community, a part of your network, and who you want safe/well/protected at all times)
The days are getting warmer, the sun is shining a little longer, and even in times of uncertainty, there’s something about the light that reminds us: there is still so much good.
That good is in you, Sis.
We’ve been reflecting on all the Black women who have paved the way for us to do great things. But let’s be real—the movement doesn’t just belong to the past. It’s happening right now, and you are an instrumental part of it.
That’s why we’re calling on 150 people to step up as 1M4 Ambassadors—to host gatherings, lead conversations, and bring non-police crisis response tools to the people who need them most.
Change doesn’t just happen in policy rooms or big meetings. It happens in our living rooms, at the beauty salon, on front porches, in group chats. It happens when Black women come together.
Whether you’re signing up to be an ambassador, sharing The Right Response directory, or simply showing up for yourself and your community, know this: you are making history.
“You can fall, but you can rise also.”
— Angelique Kidjo
Become a 1M4 Ambassador
Notice: We’d love to host more in-person Sista CheckIns across other cities, but we need your leadership to make it happen. If you’re interested in hosting and becoming a 1M4 ambassador in your city, click the link above to sign up for a training.
Bring your questions. We have answers.
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
Phoenix police have new orders on when to use violence or physical force.
This new use-of-force policy requires officers to use violence or physical force only when it is objective, reasonable, necessary, and proportional.
What do you think of this new guidance?
A Mental Health Tip For You!
Rest like you mean it, Sis! Rest isn’t just sleep—it’s an active practice of letting your mind and body reset.
And one powerful way to do that? Guided visualization. The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, try this:
✨ Find a quiet space. Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
✨ Picture yourself in a place that feels safe and peaceful. Maybe it’s the beach, your granny’s kitchen, or a sunflower field.
✨ Engage your senses. What does the air smell like? How does the sun feel on your skin? What sounds do you hear?
✨ Stay here for a few minutes. Let your body relax as if you’re really there.
Visualization helps calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and remind your body what peace feels like. And Sis, you deserve that.💛
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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If you no one’s told you yet, you’re doing amazing! But you gotta pace yourself, Sis. It’s easy to forget that you’re part of something bigger, that your actions—big or small—are shaping history. But trust this: You are making an impact. Every time you share The Right Response, you’re placing a lifeline in someone’s hands. A mother, a daughter, a neighbor—someone who just needed to know there’s another way. This work is a marathon, not a sprint. Rest when you need to, but know that even in your pauses, your presence in this fight matters. |
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Attend 1 of the 4 Ambassador Trainings Happening Soon
We hate to sound like a broken record but … we need you and your community needs our resources. Be the plug.
Join us at one of the sessions happening this week and next week. Bring a friend. Tell them you found an organization that is ten toes down for protecting their community and ensuring community members have technology resources to enhance their safety and wellness.
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.
