Black Students Organizing
Black Students are Integral to Crafting Meaningful Change
Informed by the recognition that gun violence disproportionately affects BIPOC communities. Students Demand Action actively engages with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to ensure that all voices are heard and that resources are made available to uplift survivors and communities. Through partnerships with HBCU student organizations, Students Demand Action provides leadership development opportunities, informs students about safety resources, and facilitates voter registration efforts to empower young Black students in the fight against gun violence.
Research and Resources
Explore key research and statistics on the impact of gun violence on historically Black communities:
- Black History Month: Key Research Stats
- Impact of Gun Violence on Historically Marginalized Communities
- Beyond Measure: Gun Violence Trauma
- Invisible Wounds: Gun Violence and Community Trauma among Black Americans
Actions for Black Students
Affinity Groups
Connect with BIPOC affinity groups on your campus to discuss issues, share resources, and take collective action.
Affinity groups are a space for Students Demand Action leaders and team members who share an identity to meet, build community, brainstorm initiatives, and work together. The Black Students Affinity Group meets each third Thursday of the month where we will talk about building the movement in our communities, how to stay engaged, and gain community within the Black Students Demand Action universe. Find out when your next affinity group meeting is by looking at our Find an Event tool.
Start a Group in Your High School
This toolkit is designed specifically for black students who are passionate about making a difference in their communities. Created by fellow high school students, this comprehensive guide will help you establish a Students Demand Action group at your high school. High school campuses are dynamic spaces where black students can leverage their voices and experiences to advocate for change. Whether it’s addressing systemic racism, promoting gun violence prevention, or fighting for social justice, this toolkit will equip you with the necessary resources to effect meaningful change. From registering your group with Students Demand Action to recruiting members, hosting meetings, and establishing leadership structures, this toolkit covers every aspect of organizing your group.
Start a Group in Your Community
Welcome to Students Demand Action! Organizing in your community is essential for addressing issues that affect Black students directly. Our community-wide groups aim to empower Black student leaders and allies, drawing members from schools across the area to create a diverse and representative membership reflective of our larger community. Your involvement in our community group can serve as the catalyst for a broader movement that amplifies the voices of Black students within Students Demand Action. By fostering connections across local schools and organizations, we can build networks that prioritize the needs and experiences of Black students and work towards meaningful change. Let’s get started together and make our voices heard!
Start a Group at Your University or HBCU
Empower your community by initiating a Students Demand Action group at your Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
Gun violence disproportionately affects people of color. That’s why Students Demand Action is actively engaging with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to amplify voices, provide resources, and uplift communities. Our HBCU campuses are often nestled within vibrant Black communities, where the enduring effects of systematic disenfranchisement are felt by all residents. As Black students, it is imperative that we take a stand to address this crisis and advocate for meaningful action within our campus environments. Start a Students Demand Action group at your HBCU today!
Join the State Team
Don’t have time to start a group? Join the Students Demand Action team in your state. We’ll make sure you are connected with our network nationally and in your state. You’ll receive our monthly newsletter with actions you can take and we’ll connect you with other students in your state via our Slack Workspace. Team members are invited to join National Leadership calls, statewide and regional events and receive calls to action related to campaigns specific to your state.
Have you been personally impacted by gun violence? Consider sharing your unique lived experience in your own words by submitting your story to Moments That Survive. The voices, faces, and stories of those whose lives have been forever changed by gun violence put a spotlight on the human toll of gun violence.
Check out our Elections HQ!
Are you ready to jumpstart your election season?! Now, let’s get real – as Black students, we know the urgency of addressing gun violence, especially when it’s the leading cause of death for our generation. That’s why it’s crucial for us to make our voices heard at the ballot box and elect leaders who will lead with gun safety in mind. Elections may sound overwhelming but fear not, because we’ve got the tools to make this election season a blast! Check out our Elections HQ, a one-stop shop on becoming an expert in elections work – sign up for a workshop this summer now!
Educational Materials
At the heart of our movement lies education, empowerment, and action. Explore our collection of educational materials designed to empower Black students to drive change and foster authentic organizing within our communities. Gain invaluable insights and practical strategies for authentic organizing within BIPOC communities. Our slide decks offer a comprehensive guide to understanding the dynamics of community organizing, navigating challenges, and amplifying voices effectively.
Blog Posts
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Why These Black Students are Taking Action on Gun Violence Prevention
Step into the shoes of Black students who are at the forefront of the fight against gun violence. Explore the personal narratives, the collective courage, and the unwavering determination driving these individuals to take a stand and advocate for safer communities. Discover the stories behind the statistics and understand why this issue resonates deeply within our communities.
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Turning Our Pain into Purpose
In the face of adversity, resilience shines brightest. Join us as we explore the transformative journey of turning pain into purpose. Through introspection and action, Black students are harnessing their experiences to drive meaningful change. These stories inspire us to channel our challenges into catalysts for progress, demonstrating the power of purpose-driven activism.
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Creating Greater and Better Latinx Engagement
Diversity is our strength, and inclusive engagement is our pathway to progress. Explore how Latinx communities are forging connections, amplifying voices, and building bridges across cultures and backgrounds. Learn about the strategies and initiatives driving greater participation and solidarity, as we work together towards a more inclusive and equitable future.
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Afrofuturism Photovoice Project
In 2024, Everytown piloted its first photovoice initiative, passing the mic to selected Black youth participants during Black History Month. This photovoice initiative is inspired by Afrofuturism, blending photography and storytelling to envision a future where Black individuals thrive in safe, vibrant neighborhoods. Afrofuturism, rooted in art and culture, offers a lens to reimagine and shape narratives that transcend existing limitations.
These blog posts are more than just words on a screen—they are testaments to the resilience, passion, and collective power of our communities. Join us as we elevate voices, share experiences, and inspire action. Together, let’s continue to shape a world where every voice is heard, and every individual can thrive.
Get Involved
Connect with our HBCU organizers
Are you a student at a Historically Black College or University? Meet with Us! Reach out to students@everytown.org for more information.
Gun violence disproportionately affects people of color. That’s why Students Demand Action is actively engaging with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to amplify voices, provide resources, and uplift communities. Students Demand Action is here to support you every step of the way. Reach out to us at students@everytown.org and learn how you can get involved! Unlock your potential and become a leader in the fight against gun violence.
Don’t wait! Reach out to our team and join Students Demand Action in bringing gun violence prevention to our HBCUs in our mission to create safer communities for all. Together, we can make a difference.
Everytown Survivor Network
Learn about opportunities to engage with survivor-led initiatives and support networks.
Definition of a Survivor
The Everytown Survivor Network includes anyone who has personally experienced gun violence—whether you have witnessed an act of gun violence, been threatened or wounded with a gun, or had someone you know wounded or killed with a gun. This includes, but is not limited to, gun suicides, domestic violence involving a gun, mass shootings, and unintentional shootings.
The Everytown Survivor Network is a nationwide community of survivors working together to end gun violence. The Survivor Network connects survivors to each other, amplifies the power of survivor voices, offers trauma-informed programs, provides information on direct services, and supports survivors who choose to become advocates.
Join the Everytown Survivor Network and get in touch with Survivor Support groups. SurvivorsConnect is a Everytown Survivor Network program that matches gun violence survivors with trained leaders who, themselves, are also survivors of gun violence and want to share what they have learned with survivors who are seeking support. Through support groups and 1-1 connections, SurvivorsConnect Leaders will listen and offer emotional support, mentorship, and referrals to external services.
Moments That Survive Wall
Have you been personally impacted by gun violence? Consider sharing your unique lived experience in your own words by submitting your story to Moments That Survive. The voices, faces, and stories of those whose lives have been forever changed by gun violence put a spotlight on the human toll of gun violence.
Student Survivor Support Groups
Join the Everytown Survivor Network and get in touch with Survivor Support groups. SurvivorsConnect is a Everytown Survivor Network program that matches gun violence survivors with trained leaders who, themselves, are also survivors of gun violence and want to share what they have learned with survivors who are seeking support. Through support groups and 1-1 connections, SurvivorsConnect Leaders will listen and offer emotional support, mentorship, and referrals to external services.
Student Survivor Fellowship
The Student Everytown Survivor Fellowship Program is exclusively open to high school, college, and graduate students 18 years of age or older who identify as having been directly personally impacted by gun violence of any kind. This can include but is not limited to gun homicides (solved and unsolved), gun suicides, community gun violence, police shootings, domestic violence involving a gun and unintentional shootings of improperly stored guns.
