“Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”
-Theodore Roosevelt
Teens see bullying everyday. They want to help, but don’t know how. Teach them how to be more than a bystander. Share these words and learn how you can motivate teens to take action when bullying occurs.
The work that teachers do is too often under-appreciated and overlooked.
In states across the country, Republican governors are slashing public education and then blaming teachers for the disastrous results. We simply don’t agree with that philosophy. Public education is one of the most important institutions in our democracy, and teachers are the key to students’ success.
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week—and in honor of teachers everywhere we’d like to share this inspiring short video from DGA Chair Governor Peter Shumlin, who overcame a severe learning disability with the help of one very special educator.
Watch the 90-second video here, then share it with your friends in honor of teachers everywhere.
It’ll be the most inspirational 90 seconds you spend this week—I guarantee it.
Sincerely,
Mark Giangreco
Digital Director
Democratic Governors Association
2014 Annual Celebration & Award Reception
Honoring The Black Institute’s Couple of the Year
Mayor Bill de Blasio & First Lady Chirlane McCray
Also honoring
Ana Castro, Founder L.A.T.I.S.M. (Latinos in Tech Innovation & Social Media)
Cheryl McKissack, President & CEO, McKissack & McKissack
Stephen Hawkins, Executive Director, Amnesty International USA
Community Resources for Justice
Music by Grammy Winner DJ Hex Hector
Host Committee (In-formation): Stuart Appelbaum RWDSU, Rev. A.R. Bernard, Hector Figueroa 32BJ SEIU, George Gresham 1199SEIU, Ed Lynch UFCW, Bob Master CWA District 1, Mike Mulgrew UFT, Peter Patch & Linda Kane, Larry Park NYSTLA, Eugene Schneur & Mo Vaugh OMNI New York and Doug Wigdor
The Black Institute Board: Selvin Bushay, Stephen Chukwumba, James Heyliger, Vince Morgan, Ademola Oyefeso, Martha Stark, Carmen Wallace and Jacquelyn Williams
For more information or to purchase ticktes please click here, call 212 871 6899 or email events@theblackinstitute.org
The Black Institute
http://www.theblackinstitute.org/
Jordan Klepper discovers a chemical spill in West Virginia that led some conservatives to inexplicably begin supporting regulation of the chemical industry
We need better research tools to take on the private prison industry.
Please donate $20 to help us win more divestment victories:
Three companies—Scopia Capital, DSM, and Amica Mutual Insurance —have divested nearly $60 million from leading private prison companies CCA and GEO Group after ColorOfChange members like you urged executives to reconsider the moral, financial, and political risks of investing in for-profit prisons.1 This is the first time any corporations have publicly confirmed divestment and condemned the industry.
It’s a huge deal — and is great leverage to convince other companies to do the right thing and divest. But we need more precise information to keep winning. Key details on companies that support private prisons are buried in complicated financial documents that could take months to go through —time we don’t have. There are a number of programs that would give us the intel we need, but we can’t afford a subscription without your help.
Private prisons are one of the pre-eminent civil rights concerns of our time. The despicable profit motive of these companies leads to some of the most abusive and inhumane conditions in the country, which disproportionately harms Black and brown communities due to the discriminatory policies of the failed War on Drugs.2 Equipped with a strong lobbying arm, CCA and GEO Group push hard for criminal justice policy and lucrative contracts that allow them to turn a profit while torturing our families.
The unprecedented leadership of these three corporations sets a new national standard: private prisons are an unacceptable investment. We can now leverage this standard to move companies that remain invested to divest, but we need the most accurate data to move forward. For months, our small staff has been working hard to gather the most up-to-date information on what companies help to keep this industry alive, and then hold them accountable. So far, we have reached out to more than 150 companies and remain in conversation with dozens of executives about ending their support. Help us take this campaign to the next level.
Help give us the power and independence we need to win the movement to end private prisons.
Thanks and Peace,
–Rashad, Matt, Aimée, Lyla and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
May 9th, 2014
Be a Seed for Change 
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