By & For: Our Communities – Breakthrough U.S.

Breakthrough Statement on the Appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court

As a global organization committed to championing Black women and girls through the media, storytelling and narrative change, Breakthrough recognizes Judge Jackson’s appointment as powerful proof that representation truly does matter.

From Ally to Accomplice: A Call To Action For Cisgender Women.

A message from Nakisha M. Lewis, Breakthrough’s President & CEOArt Credit: Kendrick Daye via The Marsha P. Johnson Institute Today is the International Transgender Day of Visibility, a time to celebrate the contributions of trans people and celebrate the trans and nonbinary community in all its diversity. The lives, work, cultural contributions, and activism of…

Ketanji Brown Jackson Is The Right Choice For The Supreme Court

Ketanji Brown Jackson’s experience with providing legal representation for people from underserved communities makes her better suited to make legal decisions that impact Black and Brown people… Ketanji Brown Jackson is one of the most qualified Supreme Court nominees we’ve ever witnessed. She will be the first justice with experience as a federal public defender, and the first since Justice Thurgood Marshall with significant experience as a criminal defense attorney on behalf of underserved and under-resourced defendants.

Black Girls Deserve Safety and Compassion, Not Criminalization

Since 2015, the safety and security of Black girls on school campuses remain in jeopardy. In 2012 alone, Black girls were suspended six times more than white girls in public schools across the country, according to a report from the African American Policy Forum. Additionally, girls and non-binary youth who are suspended face a significantly greater likelihood of pushout, where youth are pushed out of the school system.

It’s Time for More Body Diversity on Reality Shows and Beyond

From The Bachelor to Married at First Sight, reality dating shows constantly give us the same premise: thin, conventionally attractive people looking for love. These shows often lack racial diversity, with most if not all the cast members being white. But there is also a lack of size diversity as well that is hard to ignore.

Our Stories in Vivid Color: Black Histories and Futures

Are you a storyteller? A social justice warrior? In this dynamic conversation hosted by the LA County Library, Breakthrough President & CEO Nakisha M. Lewis speaks with Brittany Armstrong and Lauren Stockmon Brown about how Black women and girls are driving culture change, and how their histories and futures intersect with queer, disabled, and diasporic…

We Need to Talk About Cosby: Breaking Through the Noise of Rape Culture

Last week, We Need to Talk About Cosby, a revelatory four-part docuseries, debuted on Showtime. It is the latest in a series of film and television projects to take on rape culture… The documentary does the important and difficult work of explaining Bill Cosby’s notable contributions to art and media without shying away from the truth we know about Cosby now: that he is a serial rapist and predator whose abuses span decades.

“Now I’m Free” by Caela Collins

BY CAELA COLLINS I want to leave. I want to shed this body like fall. I want my mind to be freed and dance around like leaves drifting down to the autumn mosh pit. I want to go. I want to burn the burdens of my soul into ashes. I want my thoughts to hug…

immortalize. by Caela Collins

In honor of National Love People Day, I have immortalized your love in this letter: I’ve loved you long before you merged your presence with my life. It’s a giving-love where reciprocation is balanced. We collided, not as two halves but two whole beings. We are all of ourselves both together and apart. I wake…

Artist’s Comic Honors Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

TRIGGER WARNING: This article and comic mentions thoughts of suicide and depression Anna Nguyen (she/her) is a young Chinese/Vietnamese American artist, member of Breakthrough’s program, By & For, and monthly contributor to Mixed Mag. She uses art as an outlet to speak about the intersection of social justice and mental health and transforming her personal…