Austin Resources and Ways to Support the Movement for Black Justice
A guide for protesters seeking assistance and others hoping to support them and Austin’s Black community.
Written by Annie Lyons and Zoe Judilla
Image courtesy of Jessica Wu
Across the nation, people are rightfully demanding justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Mike Ramos, and countless other victims of anti-Black police murder. Here in Austin, police violence at protests, including the usage of bean bag rounds and tear gas, has resulted in multiple hospitalizations of young Black and brown victims, further invigorating the calls to abolish the Austin Police Department. Here’s a list of organizations, individuals, and action items to support protestors that Austinites should know about.
Resources for Protesters
Graphic designer Paige Giordano can alter photos of protesters, from adding masks and covering tattoos and other identifying traits to completely blacking people out. Contact her via Twitter or Instagram.
Mutual Aid Collective ATX is dispersing funds for protesters in need of medical aid. Request funds here.
For those in need of bail support, fill out this form from 400+1 for financial assistance.
Ways to Support the Uprising
Donate to 400+1, a Black-led community organization that has expanded their bail fund to support arrested protesters. Donate here and learn more about the organization here.
Donate to Mutual Aid Collective ATX, a student-led community organization that’s currently fundraising for medical supplies and treatment, food and water for protestors, and the bail funds for arrested protestors. Donate here and learn more about the organization here.
Support Black-owned businesses in Austin, such as the restaurants and shops on this list by Austin Monthly.
Purchase art from Austin artists who are donating proceeds to organizations that support the Black Lives Matter movement. See below for a list of student creatives that are currently fundraising and selling everything from stickers to individually designed posters.
Take the city of Austin budget survey before it closes July 1. Nearly 40% of the Austin city budget is allocated to the Austin Police Department — that’s an absurd 434 million dollars — while other organizations providing public goods, like Austin Public Health and Neighborhood Housing Community Development, are drastically underfunded. Fill out the survey to make your priorities known and encourage Austin to defund APD.
Being anti-racist is a continuous process that requires education and action. Commit to reading anti-racist literature and while you’re at it, support Black Pearl Books, an indie Austin bookstore owned by a Black woman. Black Pearl Books fulfills online orders, and the homepage of their website currently has two reading lists for understanding racism, including one geared toward children.
Austin Student Creatives Amplifying “Black Lives Matter” Through Art
“Feeling helpless and wanted to use my talent to do some good,” artist Adaylin Alvarez wrote via Instagram in a post offering art commissions in exchange for donations to Mutual Aid Collective ATX. As the fight for Black justice marches on, many student creators are honing their skills to raise funds in support of the movement. All proceeds from the below artists go directly towards a variety of Black support organizations, local bail funds, memorial funds, and other resources that benefit Black lives.
ADAYLIN ALVAREZ ART
Images courtesy of Adaylin Alvarez
When she’s not providing illustration services to Mutual Aid Collective ATX, Adaylin Alvarez also fundraises for them through art commissions. Alvarez sells one person portraits at $15 and two person portraits at $25, with all proceeds going to the Austin organization, which covers bail funds, medical supplies, and other resources for protestors.
Visit @adaylinslife on Instagram to place your order.
JESSICA WU STUDIO
Photos courtesy of RedBubble
Artist Jessica Wu has created 12 different designs that can be printed in a variety of formats (stickers, tote bags, shirts, phone cases, buttons, and even masks!) through RedBubble. 100% of the proceeds not given towards RedBubble’s production services will go to the George Floyd Bail Funds and the Black Lives Matter Global Network.
Visit Jessica Wu Studio on RedBubble to place your order.
CAITLIN ROUNDS PHOTOGRAPHY
Photos courtesy of Caitlin Rounds
Photographer Caitlin Rounds is selling five different prints of Austin gems with proceeds going towards the NAACP, Black Girls Who Code, The Trevor Project, and The Innocence Project. Pricing ranges from $14-$80 depending on the desired print size. See the full list of options on Rounds’ Instagram.
Direct message @you_deserve_rounds on Instagram to place your order.
BITHIA DANTOUMDA FOR UT NAACP
Image courtesy of UT NAACP
Artist Bithia Dantoumda has designed double-sided shirts honoring victims of police brutality for the UT Austin chapter of the NAACP. 70% of the proceeds will be donated to different organizations for the advancement of Black folk, as well as various memorial funds. The recipients of the proceeds will vary weekly throughout the summer.
Visit the UT NAACP form to place your order.
JANE AND JOY
Images courtesy of RedBubble
Artist Jane Choi is selling individual and bundles of stickers, along with select designs available as pins through RedBubble. The stickers range in finish and size, and 100% of the proceeds not given to RedBubble’s production services will go to various organizations that support the Black Lives Matter movement, including Color of Change.
Visit Jane and Joy on RedBubble to place your order.
ARTSEE JASMY
Image courtesy of Jasmy Liu
Artist Jasmy Liu is taking commissions for donations at a minimum of $20 — all you have to do is message her with a concept request. All proceeds will go to the Black Lives Matter Movement and the Black Youth Project 100.
Direct message @jas.me or @artsee.jasmy on Instagram to place your order.
MARK YODER DESIGNS
Images courtesy of Mark Yoder
Graphic designer Mark Yoder is best known for producing a clever new poster every day on his Instagram, and he has offered to produce up to 50 free personalized posters in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Yoder will create an 8.5 inch by 11 inch poster based on your desired specifications in exchange for proof of a minimum $50 donation to Black Visions Collective, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the ACLU, or Reclaim the Block.
Direct message @markyoder.designs on Instagram to place your order.
NAYOUNG KIM
Images courtesy of Nayoung Kim
Artist Nayoung Kim (also known as @nayoungkelly on Instagram) is drawing portraits for those who provide proof of donating at least $25 to Black Lives Matter organizations, GoFundMes, or Black-owned small businesseImages courtesy of Nayoung Kims. These requests are now made to order through Kim’s Instagram.
Direct message @nayoungkelly on Instagram to place your order.
UT BLACK HONORS STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
Images courtesy of UT BHSA
The UT Austin Black Honors Students Association have designed an array of stickers for the cause, with new designs to be gradually released throughout the summer. 100% of the proceeds will go to a different organization each week; the first round of orders will go to the Black Lives Matter Global Network, the second round will go to the Black Trans Protestors Emergency Fund, and so on. Stickers are $3 each or five for $13.
Visit the UT BHSA form for sizing details and order placement.
KIANA’S VISUAL POEMS
Images courtesy of Kiana Fernandez
Artist Kiana Fernandez has been creating personalized visual poems starting at $10 each. Fernandez describes the art form as “a collection of images that elicits particular feelings of nostalgia when combined together,” and the graphic will consist of a selected theme and personal images from the donor. All proceeds will go to Mutual Aid Collective ATX, the Emergency Release Fund for Black individuals in need, various bail funds across the country, and other resources. Although the first round of orders closed on June 7 due to an influx of orders, Fernandez has plans to continue fundraising with the poems in the future.
Visit @kianafer on Instagram for updates on future orders.
ANNA DRODDY PHOTOGRAPHY
Photos courtesy of Anna Droddy
Photographer Anna Droddy has started a donation-based print sale with all of her existing work. Any photo from her website or Instagram, in any size print up to 45 inches, is available with a minimum $50 donation to an organization or fund of your choice that supports Black lives.
Direct message @anna.odd on Instagram to place your order.
TEXAS CREATIVE
Image courtesy of Texas Creative
Texas Creative, the official UT Austin creative advertising portfolio program, has collectively offered pro bono creative services for Black business owners and organizers. Students and faculty within the program specialize in various areas of graphic design, UX/UI design, illustration, copywriting, web development, and other communication-related services.