2014 has been transformative for the racial justice movement Chip in to make 2015 even bigger

 I was at the ColorOfChange annual staff retreat. On the first morning we held four and a half minutes of silence: one minute for every hour Michael Brown lay on the street after being killed by Officer Darren Wilson. It was a powerful reminder of why we fight, and also of the historic time we’re in.

There’s a sense of pain and anger, but also of possibility as Black folks and our allies have taken to the streets across the country asserting that “Black Lives Matters” and demanding an end to discriminatory, militarized policing.

The moment of silence was also a reminder of the important role that the ColorOfChange community plays in this movement for a just and inclusive America. At the staff retreat we took stock of our work over 2014, and while we’ve faced hardships, I was blown away by what we’ve accomplished together this year…

1. We successfully pressured Saturday Night Live to hire not one, but three Black women. This included Sasheer Zamata, who became the first Black woman cast-member since 2007.
2. We stopped the fight between DMX and George Zimmerman, who was continuing to victimize Trayvon Martin and capitalize on his death.
3. We got racist Clippers-owner Donald Sterling kicked out of the NBA, forcing him to sell the team.
4. We fought back against the telecom corporations attempting to buy the Internet and end Net Neutrality, which has been critical to our 21st-century fights for justice. We made sure our voices were heard in DC, and – in November – President Obama let us know he was listening.
5. More than 1 million people saw our #IfTheySpeakForMe YouTube videos, encouraging folks to get out and vote during the 2014 mid-term elections.
   
6. We divested nearly $60 million from the private prison industry, which is responsible for some of the most abusive and inhumane conditions in the country.
7. We fought hard for important reforms to New York City’s Stop-and-Frisk program, including a city-wide ban on discriminatory policing and an independent monitor to oversee changes.
8. We helped pass California’s Prop 47 ballot initiative, reclassifying nonserious, nonviolent crimes as misdemeanors instead of felonies, keeping countless Black folks out prison and giving many a chance to get out.
9. And we brought the campaign for police accountability and systemic reforms to the White House, delivering nearly 1 million petition signatures. During this amplified moment we’re continuing to fight for justice for Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Ramarley Graham, John Crawford, and too many others.

Our work is far from done, which is why spent the second half of the retreat hatching plans for 2015. We discussed ways to improve our work so that we can more effectively win real-world change for Black folks. Ultimately, that’s what ColorOfChange is about.

But change takes a community. Our 2014 victories and achievements wouldn’t have happened without you signing petitions, advocating on social media, showing up on the streets, and chipping in your hard-earned money. And now we’re looking toward the year ahead.

Our ability to make ambitious plans for 2015 is constrained by what we’re able to fundraise this month. If we can raise $100,000 by December 31, we’ll have the resources we need to dream big this coming year. We’ve proven that we’re an effective force for change for Black folks and our allies. Click to contribute whatever you’re able to, today.

Thanks and peace,

–Rashad, Arisha, Matt, Bhavik, and the ColorOfChange team