Black People Forward (BPF), a new non-profit providing wellness programs to Black youth, is launching a new campaign to check in on Black students, “You Good Bro? You Good Sis?” According to a poll conducted by the Associated Press, “One in three Black Americans had a close friend or family member die from COVID-19, far higher than the overall average of one in five.” Due to the combined forces of the COVID-19 pandemic, racial upheaval and the economic devastation experienced in the Black community, Black youth are more at risk for childhood trauma.
BPF is celebrating 1st Responders with a specially designed t-shirt and the funds raised will support a new program for Black students who lost loved ones to COVID-19. The campaign will serve a dual purpose, heroes will be easily identified with commemorative t-shirts, and the funds raised will go to a program addressing the emotional wellness of Black students which is the non-profit’s top priority.
Lisa C. Williams, the founder of Black People Forward, while talking regarding National 1st Responders Day said, “I salute 1st Responders. We are grateful for all the lives they help save every day and especially the loved ones’ lives they saved who had COVID-19. Thank you to all of the nurses, doctors, firefighters, paramedics, law enforcement personnel and 911 operators. We will be reaching out to these groups of heroes and asking them to purchase bulk orders of a specially designed t-shirt created for them which will recognize them as heroes and help us raise money for the program for Black students who lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19.”
BPF helps Black Millennials and Gen Zs navigate the choices, challenges and changes they face in today’s world and the nonprofit is seeking donations and partners to launch its programs. Programs aim to help Black students understand the health impacts that may have attributed to their loved ones dying from COVID-19 and they will also learn about ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and extended ACEs to help them move forward with understanding and tools to manage their mental health.
According to the KFF analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black people were roughly four and three times as likely to die than White people from COVID-19. From April 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, data suggests that more than 140,000 children under age 18 in the United States lost a parent, custodial grandparent, or grandparent caregiver who provided the child’s home and basic needs, including love, security, and daily care, per the National Institute of Health.
“Once a child loses a parent or caregiver, they’re going to need help until they’re at least 18 to 24,” Susan Hillis said. “It will be a problem that lasts for many years,” Hillis, a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Covid-19 Response Team said.
All contributions will be used to fund efforts to provide mental health resources, programs and support to Black youth.
There are several ways 1st Responder associations can get involved.
BPF is looking for:
- Firefighters, Nurses, Doctors, and Police organizations to place bulk orders by having their members purchase one of the newly designed t-shirts
- 1st Responders to learn more about Black People Forward’s Checking-In campaign for Black students
- Hero organizations to lead a fundraising team
The fundraiser kicks off October 28 and runs through the end of the year.
To assist in fundraising, donate to https://bit.ly/BYlostparent.
For organizations to purchase bulk orders of t-shirts email: serve@blackpeopleforward.org.
About Black People Forward (BPF)Black People Forward (BPF) aims to restore racial identity, rebuild emotional wellness, and show Black youth and young adults’ new ways to earn a living (get the bag). We provide culturally focused and evidence-based experiences to help Black youth achieve better outcomes as adults. BPF is a new project, fiscally sponsored by F.L.O.S.S. – F & L Support Services. Donations are tax-deductible.