African American Policy Forum

@aapf

Think tank focused on intersectionality, anti-racism and democracy Co-founded & led by @kimberlecrenshaw.bsky.social Home to #SayHerName & #BlackGirlsMatter

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African American Policy Forum@aapf· 10d

As we acknowledge the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, we must continue the fight to #restoretheVRA and defend our multiracial democracy for generations to come.

African American Policy Forum@aapf· 12d

A week ago, AAPF joined @eji.org in Montgomery for our 3rd Annual Democracy Defenders Summit: Legacy, Literacy, and Liberation. We gathered to learn, strategize, and strengthen our shared commitment to protecting our multiracial democracy. Thank you, Bryan Stevenson and EJI, for your partnership.

African American Policy Forum@aapf· 20d

The AAPF team will be on site at @eji.org Legacy Museum all week unpacking the history of slavery in the United States! We’re only on #Day1 and already so much knowledge has been gained. Stay tuned all week as we drop more facts straight from the Legacy Sites!

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Jul 14

Join us and @eji.org at this summer’s Legacy, Literacy & Liberation Summit. Connect with advocates and leading scholars as we honor histories of resistance and strengthen the movement for racial justice. 📍 Montgomery, AL 🗓️ July 27–31 🔗 Register here: www.aapf.org/legacysummit...

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Jun 30

Birthright citizenship was created as a corrective to slavery and the attempt to erase it for immigrants is rooted in our nation’s long-history of anti-Black racism.

Freed Blacks did not advocate for a unique set of rules that catered only to their situation. Nor did they seek to advance their own position relative to, or at the expense and exclusion of, other marginalized groups. Instead, those whose gatherings helped galvanize the push for full equality understood that “[a] diverse origin does not disprove a common nature, nor does it disprove a united destiny.” The firmest foundation for freedom would require an anticaste reset—“both for his sake and for ours”—and would benefit all.

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Jun 19

On #Juneteenth, we recognize true history, recommit to the constant struggle for liberation and vow to backtalk against those who would deny progress towards a different, better American experience. @kimberlecrenshaw.bsky.social

“On this Juneteenth, we take a moment to deeply reflect on freedom, resilience, history, and progress. We carry the heavy knowledge that liberation is a constant, ongoing struggle, and the rights we hold dear were paid for with the blood, sweat, and lives of our ancestors. As we see the very rights they died for being dismantled today, we honor their profound sacrifice by backtalking against any claim that the world we currently experience is the only way it can be.”

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Jun 10

Yesterday’s baseless hearing on @splcenter.org had one purpose: undermine the civil rights infrastructure that works every day to keep Americans secure and free. Without organizations like SPLC, all of us are less safe. This weaponization will not end with SPLC, and we will not remain silent.

"The Southern Poverty Law Center is under attack because they are standing up against the erosion of our democracy."

- Rep.Hank Johnson
At the second House Judiciary Committee hearing on the Southern Poverty Law Center

African American Policy Forum@aapf· May 1

In the wake of Louisiana v. Callais, ASALH President Dr. Kaye Wise Whitehead, AAPF Executive Director @kimberlecrenshaw.bsky.social , historian Carol Anderson, and AAPF Senior Fellow Tim Wise break down what this moment means for our democracy. RSVP: bit.ly/UTB_ConfrontingCallais

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Apr 29

We must resist accepting the faulty logic of an illegitimate Court and organize around the kinds of systemic reforms necessary to stop democratic backsliding and rebuild a judicial system actually oriented toward justice.

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Apr 21

AAPF stands with @splcenter.org. For civil rights. For justice. For democracy.

Statement from Kimberlé Crenshaw, co-founder and executive director of AAPF:

Civil rights must be fought for, protected and sustained in order for all people to live freely and in democracy. Only authoritarians would try to attack and intimidate organizations committed to justice and civil rights. Today's announcement from the Department of Justice that it has criminally charged the Southern Poverty Law Center is alarming and yet only the latest sign that this administration is weaponizing the DOJ to target its perceived enemies as opposed to maintaining its essential function in upholding the law. AAPF stands with the SPLC and with all those committed to justice. We will not be intimidated.

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Mar 23

As we enter the final week of Women’s History Month, here at AAPF we’re uplifting the #StatusOfBlackWomen. ✨ Stay tuned for daily facts highlighting the experiences of Black women across different fields—from tech to journalism and beyond.

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Mar 20

Breonna should be alive today, and she and her family deserve unequivocal recognition that her killing was egregious, unjust and a violation of civil rights.

Statement on DOJ attempt to drop remaining charges in Breonna Taylor case

“It is appalling that the Trump administration is seeking to drop all remaining federal charges against the police officers responsible for Breonna Taylor’s death. Breonna should be alive today, and she and her family deserve unequivocal recognition that her killing was egregious, unjust and a violation of civil rights. Though the most serious charges in this case already have been dismissed, the government’s desire to make permissible state lies about the circumstances of Breonna’s killing is the latest attempt to erase the power of her life and the galvanizing impact she had on the movement for Black lives. May her memory continue to be a revolution.”

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Feb 17

As we face this perilous moment in our democracy and the fight for equal rights, may Rev. Jackson's memory be a guiding light for us, connecting us to our past and revealing to us the necessary conditions for the multiracial democracy he and our movement forebears imagined.

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Feb 6

On today's AI slop from the president: The world is watching us. Our children are watching us. And anything short of outright condemnation, outrage and reflection on the systemic failures that brought us here—the consistent apologies or obscuring of racism in our national discourse—is unacceptable.

MAGA and its enablers have moved overt anti-Black racism back into the mainstream while civil society has time and again managed only a muted response to egregiously racist attacks. As one side uses abject racism to openly galvanize its supporters, and another shies away from confronting it directly, this dangerous asymmetry is pushing us further into crisis and away from democracy.

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Jan 23

"Fear is contagious, but so is courage." Last night at @sundance.org for the #StoryOfUS, Ava DuVernay reminded us why artistic freedom is an expression of democratic freedom. Thanks to her, Jacqueline Stewart, @vietthanhnguyen.bsky.social, Kara Young & Jon Hill and more for their brilliance.

A photo of seven people on stage: Justin Emeka, Jaqueline Stewart, Ava DuVernay, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Viet Thahn Nguyen, Kara Young, Jon Michael Hill

Kimberlé Crenshaw listening to Ava DuVernay, holding a microphone and addressing a crowd at our Story of Us event at Sundance.

Posing in front of the step-and-repeat for a fitcheck for freedom.

The standing-room-only crowd at Sundance last night for AAPF's "Story of Us: Why Authoritarians Fear Storytellers." Seated and standing audience members in the house, under faux trees and lighting.

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Dec 2

Books are being banned. Histories erased. Authoritarianism is on the rise. AAPF's mission and work is more needed than ever. This #GivingTuesday, we hope you will join us in the fight for racial justice and equal opportunity by supporting our research, initiatives and programming: aapf.kindful.com

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Dec 2

Books are being banned. Histories erased. Authoritarianism rising. AAPF is pushing back and keeping racial justice at the center of the fight for democracy. Your #GivingTuesday support helps us keep the freedom to learn alive. Donate Here: www.aapf.org/donate

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Nov 26

Mark your calendars! Next Wednesday, December 3rd 7:00 PM ET on zoom, AAPF returns for a critical public conversation on our new report, Anti-Blackness Is the Point: Racism, Misogyny, and Donald Trump’s Assault on Equal Opportunity. Register Here: www.eventbrite.com/e/utb-racism...

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Nov 19

The second installment in our series “Why Authoritarian Fear Democracy” was a huge success! We're honored to be conversation with @janainelson.bsky.social, @nancymaclean.bsky.social and Professor Carol Anderson. The work continues.

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Nov 10

One week from today: join us for the next event in our Future of Civil Rights and Democracy series — “Why Authoritarians Fear Democracy.” Featuring Janai Nelson (NAACP LDF), historian Nancy MacLean, and author Carol Anderson, moderated by Kimberlé Crenshaw. Link in bio to reserve seats!

Join us for the second installment of our "Future of Civil Rights and Democracy" series: "Why Authoritarians Fear Democracy," featuring NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. President Janai Nelson, historian Nancy Maclean and author Carol Anderson—moderated by our executive director, Kimberle Crenshaw.

Reception begins at 6 p.m. and the panel conversation starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by a book signing.

This important, in-person-only conversation at Columbia Law School is co-sponsored by CLS's Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies, the Eric Holder Initiative for Civil and Political Rights, the Columbia History Association, CLS's Black Lawyers Student Association, the CLS Law High School Law Institute, Racial Literacy for Racial Justice and more!

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Oct 30

We will not stop fighting for a country where Black women can thrive without fear, in their homes and in their lives. For Sonya and for all of us. #sayhername

Sonya Massey should be alive today. That she called 9-1-1 for help but was killed in her own home instead by the people who were supposed to help her shows how our government has failed Black women time and again. Black women’s lives matter. Convicting her killer today is a small step toward acknowledging what should be held as universal truth. But there can never be full justice for her family and community because she is gone. We will not stop fighting for a country where Black women can thrive without fear, in their homes and in their lives. For Sonya and for all of us. #SayHerName

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Oct 21

We’re thrilled to announce that Intersectionality Matters has been nominated for two Community Voice Anthem Awards — and we need your votes to win!

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Oct 16

If you want to understand the real agenda behind the “anti-woke” push, look no further than the Supreme Court battle over the Voting Rights Act (VRA). This assault on the VRA proves what’s always been true: the refusal to guarantee equal protection for Black Americans endangers justice for everyone.

This assault on the Voting Rights Act reveals that the stubborn refusal to extend basic equal protections to Black people doesn't just harm Black communities; it threatens the possibility of democracy for everyone.

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Oct 14

Hey New Yorkers! On Tuesday, Oct 21 at 6PM, we’re partnering with the Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies for a powerful in-person discussion on the crisis in democracy and why education is under attack. Link in bio to register!

The Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies, together with AAPF’s Under the Blacklight series presents ‘Why Authoritarians Fear Education’ featuring the Bissell-Heyd Chair in American Studies at the University of Toronto , Professor Jason Stanley; and President of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten. The event is moderated by Isidor and Seville Sulzbacher at Columbia Law School, Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw.

Tues, October 21, 2021 2025 - Opening Reception at 6pm, Panel at 6:30pm

Room 103, Jerome Green Hall, Columbia Law School , 435 W. 116th Street, NY, NY 10027

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Oct 7

It’s officially #BannedBooksWeek, and we’re not staying silent. This year alone, 6,780 book bans were recorded across 87 school districts in 23 states (PEN America, Banned Books List 2025). 📢 All week we’ll be sharing banned books, resources, and ways you can take action. Stay tuned.

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Oct 2

Remember to join us this Saturday, October 4th at 11 AM at the Reverend T. Wendell Foster Recreation Center for a joyful day dedicated to play, connection, and fun! ✨ Don’t miss out—register now: bit.ly/Freedom2Play... Let’s celebrate freedom, movement, and community. See you there!

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Oct 1

Time and again, research has shown that Black women experience significantly worse health outcomes than their white counterparts—and unfortunately, these disparities are not coincidental.

According to researchers at the Journal of Women's Health, "Black women continue to experience excess mortality relative to other U.S. women, including.... shorter life expectancies and higher rates of maternal mortality". Further, Black Women are disproportionately burdened by chronic conditions, such anemia, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Sep 29

Join us this Saturday October 4th at the Reverend T. Wendall Foster Recreation Center as we honor our #freedomtoplay. This event is designed by us, for us—creating safe spaces where Black women can move, play, and prioritize their health. Link in Bio to Register now!

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Sep 25

Black women’s health matters. Closing this gap is about more than exercise: it’s about equity, justice, and saving lives. #AAPF #Health #freedomtoplay #Intersectionality

African American Policy Forum@aapf· Sep 25

Second Day at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference! 📍 Find us at booth 321