I am writing this post at 1:00 AM - 4:00 AM. I have spent this weekend speaking to our community of BOY MEETS GIRL® ambassadors, friends, & family about this past week of horrible, racist events. Thank you for your communication with me as I search to find the right words to represent myself & my brand BOY MEETS GIRL®. 

In my conversations, I found that the right words are nowhere to be found. There are no words to describe what happened to George Floyd. Therefore, what I will offer and what I have always offered is to be an advocate for CHANGE.

The BLACK community is hurting - which is made up of our colleagues, our friends, & our family. We have to be in this together, and we have to be allies. Our COMMUNITY is hurting. I am hurting. 

I saw this quote & I felt that it summed up how I am here for YOU. 

“I”m not black, but I see you. I’m not black, but I hear you. I’m not black, but I mourn with you. I’m not black, but I fight for you.” I’m not black, but I stand with you!” 

BOY MEETS GIRL® refuses to sit back while RACISM exists. BLACK LIVES MATTER. 

It is never too late to EDUCATE yourself. 

I have compiled some items to share for learning, as well as how you can GIVE BACK at this time. Thank you to many of our AMBASSADORS who are on the ground floor PROTESTING. For those reading & to our loyal COMMUNITY, I want you all to take the time to think about what YOU can do at this time and use this as a starting point if you aren’t already making moves to work for JUSTICE.

Here is a video by my new friend @truckgordon - who sent this to me. Watch & LEARN: 

Luis Hernandez is one of our incredible AMBASSADORS, is the Founder of Youth Over Guns & the Head of Youth Leadership at the Gathering for Justice. We have worked with Luis on many initiatives, together we joined forces on this panel I moderated  “Art, Activism, and Impact” & we have supported the organizations he is a part of for the past two years. I asked him if his team at the NY Justice League needed support at this time, therefore - we have donated today to support their work. Learn more about what they are doing at this time to help create change here. Please follow Luis Hernandez to see more of his work, he is truly an incredible person. 

Other links to check out on organizations you can give back to at this time. I think it is important to spend time reading about each one listed so you can decide where you want to give too. 

For more organizations to give to, this list & notes were provided by my cousin Jackie Kaplan. See a quote from here below: 

“What can WE do? Support communities of color. Not just with Facebook posts, but with money. While I am proud of my lay leadership as Chair of LightPAC, I am even prouder of my day job with Movement Voter Project. We fund organizations in communities of color that are led by people of color. Here is a list. Pick one, pick ten. Give to MVP, give directly to groups. Just give. #BLACKLIVESMATTER”

*links provided by @mazi.smazi - thank you*

Sign Petition to get Justice for Ahmaud Arbery

Sign Petition to get Justice for Breonna Taylor

Sign Petition to get Justice for George Floyd

George Floyd Memorial Fund

GoodCall NYC Direct Number

Minnesota Freedom Fund 

Brooklyn Bail Fund

Philly Bail Fund

Messiah Young and Taniyah Pilgrim Bail Fund

ATL Bail Fund

Black Owned Business Relief (ATL)

Chicago Bail Fund

LA Bail Fund

Boston Bail Fund

DEFUND 12

MORE LINKED, go to @mazi.smazi. 

Here are some good articles to check out as well.

• Teen Vogue: “Beyond the Hashtag: How to Take Anti-Racist Action”

• NY Times: Minnesota Restaurant Fire Protests

To wear messaging that makes a STATEMENT. See below to shop & give back to organizations in need - see below.  

We are bringing back some messaging that we always stood by, but NOW we need to be BOLD more than ever. 

FUCK RACISM is in support of Gathering for Justice.

FUCK SILENCE is in support of Gathering for Justice.

FUCK BULLIES is in support of the NSCC’s BullyBust Program.

BOY MEETS GIRL® and It Didn’t Matter Where They Came From is in support of Gathering for Justice.

This post is not going to be our last as a brand, and we will continue to learn more & continue to be ALLIES to the black community.