#KweliClub

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 28, 2016

THE ACTION SUPPORT COMMITTEE HAS AWARDED ITS
FINAL ROUND OF FERGUSON DEFENSE FUND MICRO GRANTS
Talib Kweli’s Committee of Community Organizers, Activists and Advocates Has Distributed The Remaining Micro Grants From of Its Initial Fundraiser for the Ferguson Community
(New York, NY)- The Action Support Committee announced the final round of funds from its Ferguson Defense Fund have been awarded to four St. Louis community groups to support in their community sustainability and organizing efforts. The last round of funding, totaling $5,900 has been awarded to Hands Up United, Project for Law Enforcement Accountability, Operation Help Or Hush and Organization for Black Struggle to use for their local St. Louis work.
The Action Support Committee was assembled by hip-hop artist, Talib Kweli, in 2015 to administer grants from the Ferguson Defense Fund Indiegogo campaign.  The online crowdfunding fundraiser successfully raised $106,000 to support activists in the aftermath of the Ferguson uprisings and non-indictment decision in the death of Mike Brown by St. Louis police officer Darren Wilson.
This final round of funding will present micro-grants to the following recipients for their continued commitment to social justice and activist support:
  • Hands Up United- $1,800
  • Operation Help Or Hush- $500
  • Organization for Black Struggle- $1,800
  • Project for Law Enforcement Accountability- $1,800
The Action Support committee has previously dispersed $65,000 in grants to the following organizations, projects and efforts:
  • Artists As Tutors- $2,000
  • Chosen for Change Foundation- $800
  • Fellowship Of Reconciliation: Bereavement Fund- $3,800
  • Hands Up United: Roy Clay Sr Tech Program- $2,000
  • Latinos En Axion STL: Juventud Raza Unida- $2,000
  • Mama Cat- $2,000
  • Millennial Activists United- $2,000
  • Missourians Organizing for Reform & Empowerment: Jail Fund- $45,000
  • Operation Help Or Hush: Feeding Program- $2,000
  • Operation Help Or Hush: Transitional Housing Program- $2,000
  • Whose Streets Documentary- $2,000
In addition to the micro grants awarded over the past year, The Action Support Committee produced two free concerts in St. Louis for the one year commemoration of Mike Brown’s murder.The Ferguson Rocksconcert featured live performances by Tom Morello, Boots Riley of The Coup, Outernational, St. Louis local band Blank Generation, Steffanie Christi'an, and jessica Care moore.  The second,Ferguson Is Everywhereoffered a robust mix of local talent and national artists with performances by Common, Talib Kweli, Bun B, M1 of dead prez, Tef Poe, Pharoahe Monch, Jasiri X, Immortal Technique, local hip-hop artist Thi’sl, spoken word artist Marcellus, and saxophonist Rhoda G.
ABOUT THE FERGUSON DEFENSE FUND
On October 19, 2014, after speaking to several activists in Ferguson, Talib Kweli, launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign titled the Ferguson Defense Fund. The fund was created to support Ferguson activists, who had been protesting for over 60 days with heavy resistance by the local police. The campaign raised a total of $112,052 ($104,208 after 7% Indiegogo fees), exploding well beyond its initial goal of $25,000 upon the announcement of the non-indictment of police officer Darren Wilson in the murder of 18-year-old Michael Brown.https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ferguson-defense-fund.
ABOUT THE ACTION SUPPORT COMMITTEE
The Action Support Committee (ASC) is a committee of activists, organizers, and artists established by musician Talib Kweli in January 2015. The ASC, which is responsible for awarding and administering the Ferguson Defense Fund and related grants, is committed to supporting the ongoing social justice work of individuals and organizations based in Ferguson, Missouri and at large. Committee members include Phillip Agnew, Aisha Alexander, Rosa Clemente, Patrisse Cullors, Orlando Jones, Talib Kweli, Liz Manne, Autumn Marie, Kayla Reed, Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou, and Miles Solay. For more info please visitActionAndSupport.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 21, 2015

 

Talib Kweli’s Action Support Committee Commemorates Mike Brown’s Anniversary with Concert Fundraisers Featuring Talib Kweli, Tom Morello, Boots Riley, Common, Outernational, Bun B, Tef Poe, Immortal Technique, jessica Care moore, M1 of dead prez and Many More

The Action Support Committee Shows Support for St. Louis Organizing Efforts with Micro-Grants and Uplifts the Community with a Free Rock Show & Hip-Hop Show

 

(St. Louis, MO) – The Action Support Committee (ASC), organized by musician Talib Kweli, produced two free concerts in St. Louis to commemorate the one year anniversary of the tragic death of Michael Brown, the teenager murdered by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, MO on August 9, 2014. The concerts took place as part of the larger #UnitedWeFight actions, protests, and community events planned by various St. Louis community organizations. Both concerts offered free entry but collected donations for Operation Help Or Hush, Hands Up United, and Mike Brown Sr.’s foundation. In addition to the concerts, the ASC today announced its second round of micro-grants for local St. Louis organizers and organizations.

 

“I have made some real connections with the St. Louis and Ferguson activist community. Their resistance over this past year has been very inspirational to me,” says Talib Kweli of his ongoing support of the Ferguson activists and protestors.

 

On Saturday, August 8th, the ASC hosted “Freedom Rocks” at the Ready Room in St. Louis with performances by Tom Morello and the Freedom Fighter Orchestra, Boots Riley of The Coup, Outernational, St. Louis local band Blank Generation, Steffanie Christi'an, and jessica Care moore. Rapper Immortal Technique gave everyone a surprise when he joined Tom Morello on stage for his first rock performance and Boots Riley took an important moment to talk to the multiracial crowd about why “Black Lives Matter shows more unity than All Lives Matter.”  By the end of the night, the concert successfully raised over $1,800, which was presented to Operation Help or Hush to provide school supplies for children in Ferguson and Baltimore.

 

On Sunday, August 9th, the ASC presented “Ferguson Is Everywhere,” a free hip-hop concert at Fubar, hosted by Kayla Reed, field organizer for Organization for Black Struggle (OBS) and Tory Russell, a co-founder of Hands Up United. The robust lineup was a powerful mix of local talent and national artists with performances by Talib Kweli, Common, Bun B, M1 of dead prez, Tef Poe, Pharoahe Monch, Jasiri X, Immortal Technique, local hip-hop artist Thi’sl, spoken word artist Marcellus, saxophonist Rhoda G and DJ Needles. The hip-hop benefit show was live streamed on AllHipHop.com and watched by an additional 3,000 people online.

 

“I experienced every emotion I anticipated experiencing upon arriving in St. Louis: anger, despair, anxiety and hope yet again. The hope that our collective participation can help with the pain and emotional anguish that comes with witnessing the ongoing issue with police brutality,” said Pharoahe Monch. “Seeing so many youthful faces take comfort in knowing they are not alone and are joined in their city by the likes of artists who share their pain made me feel a part of what truly matters as a human, as an artist and more importantly the collective righteousness.”

 

After Common concluded his set with “Glory,” all of the evening’s performers made a collective decision to return to the stage with ASC member Kayla Reed of OBS to announce there had been another shooting by St. Louis police. They stood in solidarity as she recited the Assata chant and closed the event out.  The Ferguson Is Everywhere Hip-Hop concert collected nearly 500 canned goods for Hands Up United’s food pantry, and $1500 (including $750 in matching funds from the ASC) was raised for Michael Brown Sr.’s foundation Chosen for Change.

 

“365 days after the death of Mike Brown, the need to support the people of Ferguson is more necessary than ever,” said Bun B about his participation.

 

In addition to the concerts, The ASC also announced today its second round of grants from the Ferguson Defense Fund to support community programs from grassroots organizations doing work in Ferguson. Totaling $8,000, the grants have been awarded to the following recipients:

 

  • Mama Cat $2,000- A community member and chef who has cooked for the St. Louis community, activists and protestors consistently providing free meals over the past year.

  • Millennial Activists United (MAU) $2,000- A local community organization led by young women of color building grassroots power and leadership.

  • Operation Help or Hush $2,000- An organization that provides resources for protestors and communities affected by the uprisings. The grant will be used for their feeding program.

  • Whose Streets Documentary $2,000- A documentary about the Ferguson uprising detailing how Mike Brown’s murder inspired the community to fight back.

     

This was the second allocation of micro-grants, and follows the first phase of grants, totaling $56,800, which was made earlier this year to the following initiatives:

  • Missourians Organizing For Reform and Empowerment (MORE): Jail Fund -$45,000

  • Artists As Tutors -$2,000

  • Hands Up United: Tech Impact Initiative -$2,000

  • Latinos en Axion STL: Juventud Raza Unida -$2,000

  • Operations Help or Hush: Transitional Housing Program -$2,000

  • Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR): Bereavement Fund -$3,800

An additional $14,000 in grants will be announced in the coming weeks and months.

LINKS TO FOOTAGE FROM ASC BENEFIT CONCERTS

Ferguson is Everywhere Recap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aHA9UXeKW0

Ferguson Rocks: Tom Morello Talks American Racism- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrOTyfklTQ8

United We Fight 2015 Feat Bun B: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1e0ifKkE3M

 

ABOUT THE FERGUSON DEFENSE FUND

On October 19, 2014, Talib Kweli, Tef Poe, Tory Russell, Donna Dragotta, and Autumn Marie launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign titled the Ferguson Defense Fund. The fund was created to support Ferguson activists, who had been protesting for over 60 days with heavy resistance by the local police. The campaign raised a total of $112,052 ($104,208 after 7% Indiegogo fees), exploding well beyond its initial goal of $25,000 upon the announcement of the non-indictment of police officer Darren Wilson in the murder of 18-year-old Michael Brown. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ferguson-defense-fund

 

ABOUT THE ACTION SUPPORT COMMITTEE

The Action Support Committee (ASC) is a committee of activists, organizers, and artists established by musician Talib Kweli in January 2015. The ASC, which is responsible for awarding and administering the Ferguson Defense Fund and related grants, is committed to supporting the ongoing social justice work of individuals and organizations based in Ferguson, Missouri and at large. Committee members include Phillip Agnew, Aisha Alexander, Rosa Clemente, Patrisse Cullors, Orlando Jones, Talib Kweli, Liz Manne, Autumn Marie, Kayla Reed, Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou, and Miles Solay. For more info please visit ActionAndSupport.com and follow @ActionSupportCo.

# # #

 

THE ACTION SUPPORT COMMITTEE HAS AWARDED ITS

FINAL ROUND OF FERGUSON DEFENSE FUND MICRO GRANTS

Talib Kweli’s Committee of Community Organizers, Activists and Advocates Has Distributed The Remaining Micro Grants From of Its Initial Fundraiser for the Ferguson Community


(New York, NY)- The Action Support Committee announced the final round of funds from its Ferguson Defense Fund have been awarded to four St. Louis community groups to support in their community sustainability and organizing efforts. The last round of funding, totaling $5,900 has been awarded to Hands Up United, Project for Law Enforcement Accountability, Operation Help Or Hush and Organization for Black Struggle to use for their local St. Louis work.


The Action Support Committee was assembled by hip-hop artist, Talib Kweli, in 2015 to administer grants from the Ferguson Defense Fund Indiegogo campaign.  The online crowdfunding fundraiser successfully raised $106,000 to support activists in the aftermath of the Ferguson uprisings and non-indictment decision in the death of Mike Brown by St. Louis police officer Darren Wilson.


This final round of funding will present micro-grants to the following recipients for their continued commitment to social justice and activist support:

 

  • Hands Up United- $1,800

  • Operation Help Or Hush- $500

  • Organization for Black Struggle- $1,800

  • Project for Law Enforcement Accountability- $1,800


The Action Support committee has previously dispersed $65,000 in grants to the following organizations, projects and efforts:

 

  • Artists As Tutors- $2,000

  • Chosen for Change Foundation- $800

  • Fellowship Of Reconciliation: Bereavement Fund- $3,800

  • Hands Up United: Roy Clay Sr Tech Program- $2,000

  • Latinos En Axion STL: Juventud Raza Unida- $2,000

  • Mama Cat- $2,000

  • Millennial Activists United- $2,000

  • Missourians Organizing for Reform & Empowerment: Jail Fund- $45,000

  • Operation Help Or Hush: Feeding Program- $2,000

  • Operation Help Or Hush: Transitional Housing Program- $2,000

  • Whose Streets Documentary- $2,000

 

In addition to the micro grants awarded over the past year, The Action Support Committee produced two free concerts in St. Louis for the one year commemoration of Mike Brown’s murder. The Ferguson Rocks concert featured live performances by Tom Morello, Boots Riley of The Coup, Outernational, St. Louis local band Blank Generation, Steffanie Christi'an, and jessica Care moore.  The second, Ferguson Is Everywhere offered a robust mix of local talent and national artists with performances by Common, Talib Kweli, Bun B, M1 of dead prez, Tef Poe, Pharoahe Monch, Jasiri X, Immortal Technique, local hip-hop artist Thi’sl, spoken word artist Marcellus, and saxophonist Rhoda G.

ABOUT THE FERGUSON DEFENSE FUND

On October 19, 2014, after speaking to several activists in Ferguson, Talib Kweli, launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign titled the Ferguson Defense Fund. The fund was created to support Ferguson activists, who had been protesting for over 60 days with heavy resistance by the local police. The campaign raised a total of $112,052 ($104,208 after 7% Indiegogo fees), exploding well beyond its initial goal of $25,000 upon the announcement of the non-indictment of police officer Darren Wilson in the murder of 18-year-old Michael Brown. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ferguson-defense-fund.


ABOUT THE ACTION SUPPORT COMMITTEE

The Action Support Committee (ASC) is a committee of activists, organizers, and artists established by musician Talib Kweli in January 2015. The ASC, which is responsible for awarding and administering the Ferguson Defense Fund and related grants, is committed to supporting the ongoing social justice work of individuals and organizations based in Ferguson, Missouri and at large. Committee members include Phillip Agnew, Aisha Alexander, Rosa Clemente, Patrisse Cullors, Orlando Jones, Talib Kweli, Liz Manne, Autumn Marie, Kayla Reed, Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou, and Miles Solay. For more info please visit ActionAndSupport.com

Written by Talib Greene — May 06, 2019

Welcome

You made it! Congratulations on your invitation to be a member of the exclusive Kweli Club. Please create an account to complete any purchase.

Your first purchase will activate your full membership and add you to my personal address book. All full members can hit me directly on email anytime. I have a dedicated account on my phone exclusively for you.

If there are any books you are looking for, or would like for us carry, Please send us an email at kweliclub@gmail.com.