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John,
For generations, Black people across every age and walk of life have used imagination to turn sidewalks into dance floors and city parks into stages of joy and resilience. Black Play Matters reaffirms our commitment to investing in the conditions that allow Black people to flourish, free from bias and barriers.
Black Play Matters seeks to amplify the tradition of play within Black communities by expanding access to play, art, and opportunity, essential experiences for a thriving community. What does radical innovation look like when imagination is nurtured to create new worlds? By reclaiming the idea of play as a catalyst for liberation, the foundation positions it as a powerful pathway to a future filled with possibility.
This past weekend when we stepped into the historic Madam C.J. Walker Legacy Center in Indianapolis, a place built by a visionary Black woman millionaire, we felt the power of our ancestors surrounding us. It reminded us how essential spaces like these are for Black joy, culture, play, and leadership.
We were honored to moderate a powerful conversation with some truly inspiring women in sports and culture. We spoke openly about what it means to break barriers with love and authenticity. Play is our resilience, our healing, and our radical act of liberation.
That evening, Black Lives Matter presented awards to five remarkable Black women whose lives embody the essence of Black play and leadership:
🥇 Sheryl Swoopes, WNBA legend and Olympic champion
🏀 Ty Young, athlete, entrepreneur, and advocate for authentic self-expression
💼 Natalie White, sports executive creating equity in basketball operations
💇🏾♀️ Kristian Stricklen, CEO of Madam Walker Legacy Center, preserving our history
🧠 Katina Washington, founder of The SHE Xperience, empowering through creativity
Listening to their stories reaffirmed that Black play is not optional. It is fundamental and it is our right. Our joy, imagination, and playfulness are revolutionary acts. They allow us to reclaim space, dignity, and the right to thrive.
But we need your support to keep this powerful work going.
Your contribution helps us advance initiatives like the P.L.A.Y. Act, which will create safe, joyful, and nurturing opportunities for Black youth nationwide.
Too often, Black people are portrayed as juvenile and Black children are denied the simple right to play. Our joy is criminalized, our play is policed, and our children are subjected to adultification and disproportionately harsher discipline.
This campaign confronts these injustices, affirming that play is a vital lifeline for resilience, empowerment, and community pride. What kind of freedom would we have access to if we centered our own play, if we centered our own imagination? We are committed to righting these wrongs, recognizing that play is a powerful source of strength and belonging for all Black people — no matter their age.
Will you join us in celebrating and protecting Black play by donating today?
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Together, we are creating a world where Black communities don’t just survive. We thrive, joyfully and unapologetically.
With love and solidarity,
Team Black Lives Matter
Our grassroots movement is pushing for Black liberation every single day. We are striving to create a world where Black people do so much more than just survive. It’s time we thrive.
As an organization one of our biggest hurdles is consistency.
A recurring contribution of anything you can afford goes a long way as we plan for the months, years, and even decades ahead. This is the most effective way for small-dollar donors (like you) to power our Black liberation work.
Will you make a recurring contribution of $5 or more today so that we can keep building momentum for our movement?
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