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Special Essay Excerpts: State of Black Homelessness in America Written by: Mark Ridley-Thomas, PhD and Alisa Orduna, PhD In 2023, on a single night during the annual point in time count, 653,104 people were found to be experiencing homelessness in the United States which was 12% more than the year prior. This is the highest number of people experiencing homelessness since the national reporting on the Point-in-Time count began in 2007. Blacks have remained considerably overrepresented among the homeless population in most every US city despite being approximately 13% of the US population. Nearly 4 of every 10 individuals experiencing homelessness in the United States identified as Black, African American or African. Of the 243,624 Black people experiencing homelessness, 50% of them were members of families with children that will ultimately result in persistent generational disparities. Homelessness is a form of structural violence. To this point, as far back as 1967, in an address on the “Three Evils of Society”, Dr. Martin Luther King essentially condemned houselessness as cruel, indecent, unsafe and unsanitary. People are dying. There is an urgent need for proven strategies and solutions to move people quickly out of homelessness and prevent homelessness to begin with. This includes all hands on deck to address the entire continuum of housing– home ownership, affordable rent and tenant protections, unsheltered encampment resolutions, improving the interim housing quality and supply, and the creation of affordable permanent housing– and health. As we consider the intersection of systemic racism and structural violence, careful attention must be given to local governments’ response to the public outcry that often leads to legislation that criminalizes homelessness, contributing to the misplaced role of law enforcement agencies in addressing and often exasperating the homeless crisis engulfing Black communities across America. In this moment in history when Black mayors are leading the largest metropolitan cities it is our time to address the over representation of Black people experiencing homelessness in this country. To address homelessness in Black America we must dismantle its root cause of systemic racism and discrimination that influences economic stability, affordable housing, health, behavioral health, public safety and social support systems. This requires a collaborative, comprehensive, and intersectional approach that involves government agencies federal/state/local alignment, health and housing sectors, faith-based organizations, non-profit organizations, communities, and individuals. Housing is a basic human right. Housing is needed for our complete spiritual, emotional, physical, relational, and moral well-being. Now is our time to demand more. Author Biographies Mark Ridley-Thomas, PhD is the Founder of the Empowerment Congress and serves as Senior Advisor for the Institute for Nonviolence in LA. Dr. Ridley-Thomas currently publishes PRAXIS—the interface between reflection and action—a weekly newsletter that focuses exclusively on homelessness and housing insecurity. Alisa Orduna, PhD  is a twenty-five year veteran of public and nonprofit sector leadership dedicated to anti-Black racism and addressing racial reckoning.  Dr. Orduna is a depth-psychologist researcher and writer who co-chairs the Empowerment Congress Homeless Working Group and leads homeless advocacy and group facilitation for the Institute for Non-violence in LA.

It was 1999 and a news story on CNN told the story of Italian Female Parliamentarians wearing jeans to protest the Supreme Court Justice’s overturning a lower court’s rape conviction. The reason he gave was because the 18 year old girl was wearing tight jeans and they could not be removed without her help, implying consent. The Roman Parliamentarians were furious; they called it “the jeans alibi.” California lawmakers took action and wore jeans on the steps of the CA State Capitol in Sacramento in solidarity with the Roman legislators. That is what inspired the first Denim Day in Los Angeles. Impact:  Over the last 25 years, Denim Day has reached over one hundred million individuals. People in all 50 states and in over 100 countries have worn jeans on purpose. Colleges and universities, corporations and businesses, communities and groups, entire cities and states have declared Denim Day. This campaign along with other movement organizing has empowered victim/survivors, created allies, influenced legislation, educated the jury pool, motivated high school and college students, and gave voice to those who had been silenced. The goal has been to encourage people to wear jeans with purpose, support survivors, educate yourself and others, and challenge rape culture and mysogynistic victim blaming. Anti-Sexual Violence Movement: Mark and Avis Ridley-Thomas founded the Rosa Parks Rape Crisis Center in 1984. As staunch advocates for sexual assault prevention, intervention and treatment services, this center carries on the legacy of Rosa Parks in her fight against sexual violence. Long before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus, she was an investigator for the NAACP who advocated for rape victim Recy Taylor. Today, Avis continues the fight to eradicate sexual violence and was recognized for her efforts by Peace Over Violence, a non-profit social service agency dedicated to eliminating rape. A Call to Action This year our overarching theme for the Denim Day campaign is: sexual violence ends with all of us.  Wear jeans with a purpose on Wednesday, April 24th! Downtown Los Angeles News Article: Denim Day

A Powerful Day of Dialogue: Tackling Racism in LA with Open Conversation On March 21st, Angelenos from all walks of life came together at the Ray Charles Foundation for a thought-provoking “Demonstration Day of Dialogue” hosted by ART. This event aimed to confront the ongoing issues of racism and bigotry in our city, not with anger, but with open conversation and understanding. More Than Just Words: Fostering Community The Ray Charles Foundation provided a beautiful backdrop for the day.  A tour of the library and a delicious lunch allowed participants to connect before diving into the dialogue. This aligns perfectly with ART’s mission:  building partnerships and encouraging open discussions across diverse groups. It wasn’t just about the words spoken, but about creating a sense of community where listening and empathy could flourish. Sparking Meaningful Conversations The facilitators expertly guided the discussions using well-chosen questions, prompting insightful dialogue and shared experiences. Participants actively engaged, creating a space where diverse perspectives were heard and respected. A Call to Action The closing message encouraged everyone to become advocates for ART’s work.  This powerful call to action can be a standard element in future dialogues. Additionally, providing pocket-sized cards with the website address and social media handles would be a fantastic way for participants to stay connected and informed about future events. The Power of Dialogue The “Demonstration Day of Dialogue” served as a powerful reminder that open communication and collaboration are key to tackling racism and bigotry in Los Angeles. By fostering a welcoming space for diverse voices, ART is making a real difference in our community. This is just the beginning.  Join the conversation! Visit our Events Page to find out about upcoming events and how to get involved. Together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable Los Angeles!

Gabrielle Union, Actress, Author, Activist & Dr. Gail Wyatt, Clinical Psychologist, Sex Therapist, Professor. Join us on Denim Day as we discuss sexual assault awareness and racism during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.