THE CAUSE: Fundraiser for beneFIT! We would like to raise at least $341 so that we can continue engaging our participants with valuable data about issues of racism that impact our world today, from its historical underpinnings to the current moment.

THE CHALLENGE: This is a collective challenge over the entire course of February (2/1/22-2/28/22) for Black History month. Please join us in taking 12.5 million steps (yes, million) in the month of February. We’d be honored if you would help us achieve our fundraising goal by donating just $1 per 10,000 steps you take this month. As always, a donation is not required to participate, but we have a donor who is willing to match up to $341! Donations can be made here.

THE WHY: Why 12.5 million steps? Transatlantic slave trade occurred for 341 years, from approximately 1525 to 1866. During that time, an estimated 12.5 million people were kidnapped from Africa and shipped in chains to foreign lands for enslavement—3% of which came to America. 12.5 million is equivalent to the combined population of Los Angeles and New York City today. From these 12.5 million people came billions of descendants who were deprived of ever knowing their lineage. Who were told, and continue to be told, that they are less than. Who are told that their history isn’t important enough and shouldn’t be taught in schools. Who are continually discussed with dehumanizing language. Who meet bias after bias after bias in the criminal justice system. Who do not receive the same prompt response for media attention, investigations, or arrests when one of them is missing or killed. 

We step this month to raise money for them–because we see them. We stand with them. We support the inclusion of their past, present, and future contributions to the American experiment.  We support teaching all of American History, not only a comfortable whitewashed version. We support equal opportunity in all aspects of American life such that our organizations, schools, corporations, and our government resemble the full kaleidoscope of what America truly looks like. For Black History Month, let’s step together to pay homage to the 12.5 million lives whose trajectories were drastically, viciously changed and whose rich history deserves to be acknowledged, valued, and actively safeguarded. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏼✊🏽

Mintz, Steven. “Historical Context: Facts about the Slave Trade and Slavery.” The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/teaching-resource/historical-context-facts-about-slave-trade-and-slavery. Accessed 30 Jan 2022.