AIGA Baltimore stands in solidarity with Black designers, creative business owners, educators, students—as well as their families, cultures, and communities—in the condemnation of racism, intersectional discrimination, fear, and acts of violence, including murder.
In Baltimore, we felt the impact of injustice five years ago when we lost Freddie Carlos Gray Jr. We’re committed to continuing the work of our past boards to build up and listen to the voices of those in our community, acknowledging that we still have so much more work to do.
As a board of volunteers, we don’t have all the answers, but our chapter is committed to doing what we can to support and uplift Black lives in our creative community and beyond. We pledge to help with our time, resources, voices, and creativity. To start, we are making two $250 donations to two local nonprofits.
- Out 4 Justice (OFJ), an organization comprised of individuals who are both directly and indirectly impacted by the criminal justice system advocating for the reform of policies and practices that adversely affect successful reintegration into society.
- Baltimore Youth Arts, a creative entrepreneurship and job training program that provides artistic and professional opportunities to young people, ages 14-22, with a focus on those involved in the justice system. Their mission is to assist young people in gaining the creative, personal, and educational skills that will enable them to become leaders in their communities.
We would also like to take this time to amplify the causes of local organizations BALT (Baltimore Action Legal Team) and Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, and recommend that we all take an active role in supporting people of color. That could mean purchasing or reposting work by an artist you admire, ordering dinner from one of the currently open Black-owned restaurants in Maryland, using your design skills for a good cause, and perhaps most importantly, checking in on your Black friends, family, and colleagues.
Our commitment extends beyond this message. We will hold ourselves accountable, and we welcome you to hold us and each other accountable as well. Our inboxes are open.
Donate Locally
Donate Nationally
Resources for Education and Support
Have a resource to add?
We want to hear how you’re joining us in our commitment to support Black lives in the Baltimore area. Email us at info@baltimore.aiga.org to add your resources to our list.
