• It is your own responsibility to educate yourself, it is not the responsibility of the Black community. Guide your own education by reading books, articles and studies on the history and effects of injustice, racism and inequity. Learn by listening to webinars, podcasts and watching documentaries and movies.

• Explore your own identity and learn about your own implicit or explicit biases.

• Be brave and explore topics that are unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Discomfort is a part of learning and developing.

• Highlight and mark areas of interest. Dig deeper and learn the history, origins and background of topics you are not familiar with. 

• Engage in discussion with your peers, friends and family.

• Pass on information you’ve learned or found helpful.

Is there a resource or education you would like us to share?

Email your suggestions to SCI@phisigmasigma.org.​

• Explore aspects of injustice (criminal justice reform, school to prison system pipeline, voter suppression, implicit bias, immigration, school reform).

• Connect with established organizations, advocacy groups and nonprofits already engaged in your community. It is important that you utilize and support existing efforts and not duplicate or create competing messages. 

• Connect with university partners, departments, student organizations and resources to mobilize efforts on your campus. 

• Recognize your purchasing power and how that can create change in the country. Support Black businesses and creators.

• Start conversations with your immediate circle of influence, taking into account their level of awareness and openness to the topic. Meet them where they are. 

• Share what you learn, but make sure you are sharing for the right reasons. We should not be centering our own experiences in the sharing of information.  

• Determine national and local opportunities to contribute to the cause/movement. 

• Research reputable organizations that disclose how the funds will be responsibly allocated. Charitynavigator.org is one resource you can use to check how funds are utilized.

• Encourage members and community members to donate directly to the existing organization they are passionate about. 

• While it is important to encourage and inspire others to donate, refrain from seeking credit for your participation. It is not important that you/chapter receive credit or publicity for the donation.  

• Avoid organizing a fundraiser or promoting the opportunity to donate as a game, competition or chapter fundraiser. There is no reason to pool money together before it is donated. 

• Efforts to create merchandise, endorse partial proceeds fundraisers or “give back” events, siphon funds away from the cause and limit the overall impact. 

• Research if the online platform subtracts credit card fees or if the full amount goes to the cause. A greater impact is made when donations are made directly. 

A WARNING ABOUT VENMO: collecting money on Venmo may be a risk to members and chapters and is strongly discouraged. Individuals/accounts collecting money may become responsible for income taxes associated with any funds received. You will be personally responsible to the IRS.

• Repost statements from campus organizations/departments, nonprofits and community activists. Your platform and audience is an opportunity to amplify the voice of others.  

• Acknowledge your platform and align yourself as a part of the change that is needed. 

• Denounce the actions or behaviors of racial injustice and the systems that reinforce them. 

• Commit to education and action. 

• Recognize Black sisters and community members. Elevate Black voices and organizations that they are sharing. 

• Honor, using the full names, the victims of racial injustice.

• Include hashtags and tags to movements and groups such as #blacklivesmatter, #antiracism #justice #[insert names], etc. 

• Provide action items, resources and next steps to followers.

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To request assistance drafting or sharing online content

email SCI@phisigmasigma.org.​

• Expect that followers may respond and provide feedback or opposition.

• Deleting or reporting comments or blocking followers closes off your opportunity to engage in dialog. 

• When someone does not share the same opinion, use a guided and one-on-one conversation to engage in a productive dialog. 

• Refrain from asking someone to delete their comment or post. Instead, help them to understand how their post or comments are impacting others. 

To request assistance responding to online content
or potentially harmful post email SCI@phisigmasigma.org.​

• Identify spaces and organizations offering opportunities to safely demonstrate, support and volunteer. 

• Create a plan to participate safely including transportation, attire and supplies. In the event you are injured, arrested or sheltered-in-place, you will need to be prepared with snacks, first aid, cash/ID, protective gear, etc. 

• Observe curfews, restrictions or local directives pertaining to when and where events are allowed to take place.   

• Check in with the people you attend with. Stay together and identify a “homebase” in the event you are separated. 

• Be present in the moment. Make time to process and share your experience with others afterward. Thoughtfully use your voice to focus on the impact that needs to be made.