Let’s stand united against racism
Over the last few months, we have all felt our collective grief compound — first through a deadly pandemic, and now, through unconscionable acts of violence.
At United Way of Greater Stark County, we stand with the black community and those who are fighting for racial equality. We support the peaceful demonstrations here at home and around the world. Our thoughts and our hearts are with the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and to the countless others who have been impacted by racism and injustice.
These recent events have revealed an uncomfortable and heartbreaking truth — that systemic racism and social inequities run deep across our country, and our own community is not exempt from these problems. For many, that pain and oppression are homegrown.
Over the past several days, we’ve heard stories from our friends, families and neighbors about the racial discrimination, fear and hatred they encounter in their daily lives. We have a responsibility to amplify their voices and shine a light on these issues.
It’s clear that as a country, as a community and as individuals, we need to do better, and at United Way of Greater Stark County, we’re committed to making that change.
Our mantra has always been to LIVE UNITED because we know there’s strength in numbers. The more we denounce racism and the more we work together to advocate for human dignity and equality, the greater our collective impact will be.
As an organization, we want to learn and grow by listening to our community and hearing how we can work together to create this change. We’re committed to continuing these conversations and working with other organizations to align our resources and create systemic change.
We continue to denounce racism and pledge to work toward a brighter future for all. We stand stronger when we LIVE UNITED.
Anti-Racist Resources
Are you ready to stand united against racism, but you’re not sure where to start?
In light of recent events, many are asking how they can become anti-racist and enact change. Writer Alyssa Klein and activist and filmmaker Sarah Sophie Flicker compiled a list of anti-racism resources to deepen their anti-racism work. These resources are intended to help those who are on the anti-racism journey. Original resources are located here .
Another way you can change the narrative is to participate in the Unity Challenge. Learn how to have those uncomfortable conversations and support the challenge that explores our unconscious attitudes about race, power, privilege and leadership. Learn how to encompass alternative voices through activities designed to dismantle racism.Help us reduce barriers and create transformational change. United Way is proud to partner with Dismantling Racism Coalition of Stark County and create transformational change! Learn more.

Articles to Read
- “America’s Racial Contract Is Killing Us” by Adam Serwer | Atlantic (May 8, 2020)
- Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement (Mentoring a New Generation of Activists
- "My Life as an undocumented Immigrant" by Jose Antonio Vargas | NYT Mag (June 22, 2011)
- The 1619 Project (all the articles) | The New York Times Magazine
- The Combahee River Collective Statement
- “The Intersectionality Wars” by Jane Coaston | Vox (May 28, 2019)
- Tips for Creating Effective White Caucus Groups developed by Craig Elliott PhD
- “Where do I donate? Why is the uprising violent? Should I go protest?” by Courtney Martin (June 1, 2020)
- ”White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” by Knapsack Peggy McIntosh
- “Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?” by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi | Atlantic (May 12, 2020)
Books to read
- Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins
- Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Dr. Brittney Cooper
- Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
- How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
- Invisible No More: Police Violence Against Black Women and Women of Color by Andrea J. Ritchie
- Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
- Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
- Raising Our Hands by Jenna Arnold
- Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
- Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
Videos to Watch
Films and TV series to watch
- 13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
- American Son (Kenny Leon) — Netflix
- Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 — Available to rent
- Blindspotting (Carlos López Estrada) — Hulu with Cinemax or available to rent
- Clemency (Chinonye Chukwu) — Available to rent
- Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix
- Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler) — Available to rent
- I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin doc) — Available to rent or on Kanopy
- If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins) — Hulu
- Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) — Available to rent for free in June in the U.S.
- King In The Wilderness — HBO
- See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol) — Netflix
- Selma (Ava DuVernay) — Available to rent for free in June in the U.S.
- The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution — Available to rent
- The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Available to rent for free
- When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
Organizations to follow
- Antiracism Center: Twitter
- Audre Lorde Project: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- Black Women’s Blueprint: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- Black Lives Matter: Website
- Center for Antiracist Research: Website
- Color Of Change: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- Colorlines: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- Coming Together Stark County: Facebook
- The Conscious Kid: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- Equal Justice Initiative (EJI): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- Families Belong Together: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- Greater Stark County Urban League: Website
- Justice League NYC: Twitter | Instagram + Gathering For Justice: Twitter | Instagram
- The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- The Movement For Black Lives (M4BL): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- MPowerChange: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- Muslim Girl: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- NAACP: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- NAACP Stark County: Facebook
- National Domestic Workers Alliance: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- RAICES: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ): Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- SisterSong: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- United We Dream: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
More anti-racism resources to check out
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
- Anti-Racism Project
- Jenna Arnold’s resources (books and people to follow)
- Rachel Ricketts’ anti-racism resources
- Resources for White People to Learn and Talk About Race and Racism
- Racial Equity Tools Glossary
- Save the Tears: White Woman’s Guide by Tatiana Mac
- Showing Up For Racial Justice’s educational toolkits
- The [White] Shift on Instagram
- “Why is this happening?” — an introduction to police brutality from 100 Year Hoodie
- Zinn Education Project’s teaching materials