FirstRepair

Accra International Reparations & Racial Healing Summit
2022-08-01 08:00 - 2022-08-04 17:00 UTC
At no other time in history has the demand for a global black identity been more apparent. Identifying how slavery, colonialism, and racism intersect and impact the lives of black people across the world is therefore critical to demanding reparations, fostering healing, and restoring dignity. It is against this backdrop that we are convening this global summit in Accra, Ghana.
In Africa, ongoing continental campaigns and discussions that had been stalled have been revived, albeit incongruently. The African Union (AU) for instance, has become more vocal in its demand for restitution for stolen African religious symbols and cultural relics, as well as a recognition of the African diaspora community in the advocacy for reparations. Through its various organs such as the Departments of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (DPAPS), Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO), Economic Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), the AU has undertaken a series of initiatives to reach a common position on Reparations for Africa, and an advocacy campaign on reparations from former slave holders and colonial powers.
But there is a significant gap in this renewed energy for advocacy and political commitments. The discussions and debates, especially those within the African continent are happening in silos. The interventions seem half-hearted, the campaigns appear uncoordinated and there seems to be a lack of comprehensive strategy and agenda for reparations.

WTTW’s FIRSTHAND: Segregation - Evanston Reparations: Lessons in partnership with Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Evanston, and the Evanston Community Foundation
2022-06-20 17:30 - 19:00 UTC
Join WTTW, Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Evanston, and the Evanston Community Foundation for a FIRSTHAND: Segregation screening and conversation in honor of the celebration of Juneteenth as a national holiday. This virtual conversation will include the screening of a short documentary from WTTW’s Firsthand: Segregation series, which will serve as a jumping-off point for a discussion of local lessons from Evanston, the first municipality to enact and fund local reparations. Explore Evanston’s celebrations and learnings and what comes next for reparations for Black Evanstonians, and how they could be applied to the growing Reparations movement across the country.
Panelists include Robin Rue Simmons, Founder and Executive Director of FirstRepair, a new not-for-profit organization that informs local reparations, nationally; Morris (Dino) Robinson, founder of Shorefront Legacy Center; Reverend Dr. Michael Nabors, Senior Pastor at Second Baptist Evanston and President of the Evanston Branch of the NAACP; and Dr. Cornell William Brooks, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University . The panel will be moderated by Sol Anderson, Evanston Community Foundation President and CEO.
FIRSTHAND: Segregation is part of WTTW’s award-winning FIRSTHAND multiplatform, multi-year initiative focusing on the firsthand perspectives of people facing critical issues in Chicago. Visit the website to explore the project.
This event is free, but RSVP below is required.
Click Here to Get Details & Register!

Apollo Theater - Color Farm Media Presents: 'The Big Payback'
2022-06-19 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | Apollo Theater, 253 W 125th Street, New York, NY, 10027, United States
WHAT:
The issue of reparations has gained increased attention and movement over the last few years, with states, like California, and cities, like Evanston, IL, examining and passing policies that seek to redress the harm of slavery and anti-Black discrimination.
After premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival, The Big Payback will screen at the historic Apollo Theater on Juneteenth. The film explores the historic reparations effort in Evanston, Illinois, and how the local bill connects to the national reparations conversation in D.C.
As an official co-sponsor of the event, Ben & Jerry’s will also offer Root Beer Floats in support of the Reparations NOW campaign.
WHO:

Panelist: Erika Alexander – Co-Director, The Big Payback (Actress, and Producer, Color Farm Media)

Panelist: Whitney Dow, Co-Director, The Big Payback

Panelist: Robin Rue Simmons, Executive Director, First Repair

Moderator: Michael Blake, Former Assemblyman and former Vice-Chair of the DNC

WHEN:
Sunday, June 19, 2022

Doors Open: 5 pm ET

Movie Screening Begins: 6 pm ET

Followed by Panel Discussion

Tribeca Film Festival - The Big Payback Documentary: Fight of Rookie Alderman, Robin Rue Simmons
2022-06-18 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-06-11 14:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Village East by Angelika, 181-189 2nd Ave, New York, NY, 10003, United States
For the first time in American history, a tax funded reparations bill for Blacks is passed in Evanston, IL. Funded by a tax on cannabis, the program is set to deliver $10 million as a correction for the systematic bias historically inflicted upon its Black constituents. The film follows the Fight of Rookie Alderman Robin Rue Simmons as she leads the community in an uphill battle to obtain this ‘big payback’. Meanwhile, in Washington DC, the formidable Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee continues the fight to pass HR 40: a national bill languishing in Congress for 30+ years, to examine the merits of introducing reparations for slavery to African Americans. While the racial reckoning of 2020 plays out it the background, the two women navigate supporters and detractors, Black and white, in this quest towards correcting historical wrongs.
Erika Alexander (actress, Living Single and producer of John Lewis: Good Trouble) and Tribeca Festival alum Whitney Dow co-direct this journey of a Black woman stepping into her power and creating measurable change. With a cameo by TaNehisi Coates, this informative, insightful window into the legislative process brings with it an uplifting message championing the rights of citizens to challenge the status quo and gives needed exposure to the conversation around reparations. –Karen McMullen
Get Tickets Here!

King Boston’s Inaugural Embrace Ideas Festival
2022-06-16
Thursday, June 16: “Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations”
Hosted by: WGBH
Keynote: Tammy Tai, King Boston’s deputy director; Kamm Howard, National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA)
“Are We Ready for City Level Reparations” panel featuring: Jemadari Kamara, University of Massachusetts Boston; Sheryl Evans Davis, San Francisco Human Rights Commission; Amilcar Shabazz, Amherst African Heritage Reparation Assembly; and Robin Rue Simmons, FirstRepair.
Social time artist: Amandi Music
Purchase Tickets at www.embraceideasfestival.org.

Tribeca Film Festival - The Big Payback Documentary: Fight of Rookie Alderman, Robin Rue Simmons
2022-06-14 20:30 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas, 260 W 23rd St, New York, 10011

AI For the People's June Celebration
2022-06-14 18:00 - 20:30 UTC | Loft North of the SoHo Grand Hotel, 310 West Broadway, New York, NY, 10013, United States

Panel Discussion: "The State of the Local Reparations Movement"
2022-06-14 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
On Tuesday, June 14th, at 12:00 PM ET, First Repair will host a panel discussion between Robin Rue Simmons, Keith Williams, Dr. Cheryl Grills, and Kamm Howard on the state of the local reparations movement. Moderated by Dr. Andre Perry, Senior Fellow at Brookings Metro, the panel will explore the various ways cities and states are approaching reparations efforts and what this means for the national push for reparations.
“The issue of reparations has gained increased attention and movement over the last few years with states, like California, and cities, like Evanston, IL, examining and passing policies that seek to redress the harm of slavery and anti-Black discrimination.”
Please RSVP Here: bit.ly/ReparationsPanelJune14th
WATCH FULL PANEL DISCUSSION HERE:

Tribeca Film Festival - The Big Payback Documentary: Fight of Rookie Alderman, Robin Rue Simmons (At Home Screening)
2022-06-13 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)

Reparations Reconciliation & Repair
2022-06-13 12:00 - 13:30 UTC
Evanston’s Interfaith Community Joins in Support of Reparations, Truth & Healing

Click Here to Stream LIVE!

Pre-Juneteenth Virtual National Rally
2022-06-01 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Stream LIVE at www.ReparationsComm.org
