BIPOC racial justice artists: Apply for grant!

November 20, 2020

(via The Stand)

The unions that comprise MLK Labor and the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO are committed to promoting racial equity within Washington’s labor movement and to building ties with other people and organizations fighting for social justice.

As our state and nation experience a long-overdue reckoning over systemic racism, social justice warriors have been building movements through their artistic expression. We have all benefited from that critical work for the betterment of our society, so Washington’s labor movement wants to recognize, honor, and reward it!

Applications are being accepted starting today through Dec. 4 for the Labor of Love: Art and Healing Grant, which will award up to $1,000 to at least 15 Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) activists or organizations with a focus on racial equity, enfranchisement and social equity-based movement-building within and adjacent to our local labor movement. This grant is being administered by the MLK Labor, the WSLC, and the Foundation for Working Families, and is made possible by the Fight Back Collaborative Fund, a fund of the Tides Foundation.

“We offer this Labor of Love grant in celebration,” said Kasi Perriera, the WSLC’s Racial and Gender Justice Director. “Let’s take a moment to celebrate Black women and Black people today, and every day. Let’s celebrate and lift our hands in honor of the incredible contributions of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, API, Immigrant, LGBTQ+, Disabled artists, and healers within our communities across the state.”

HOW TO APPLY — Applications are being accepted via the online form, mail-in completed form (download PDF), or photo/video submission. Applications are available in Spanish and can be translated into multiple languages upon request. Support for completing the application is available by contacting kperreira@wslc.org.

The award recipients and amounts of up to $1,000 will go to individuals or organizations selected through a panel review process on Dec. 7-9. Award recipients will be notified on Dec. 11 and the grants will come in the form of a check from Foundation for Working Families.

SPREAD THE WORD! — Please share the Labor of Love: Art and Healing Grant one-page flier and social media graphic to help spread the word that these grants are available. All AFL-CIO constituency groups — APRI, APALA, CBTU, Pride@Work, WA YELL, LCLAA, and others — are being urged to share this information and encourage BIPOC union members and community allies to apply.

“If you see the power of visual, spoken word, healing, or other creative activism in your community, please take this opportunity to apply or nominate someone you know in celebration,” Perriera said. “In honor of those who came before and those who are just stepping into their power, we thank you — and we see you!”

Questions? Contact Kasi Perriera at kperreira@wslc.org or by calling 206-281-8901.