Our Crowdfunding Groups
As one of only a few legal journals focused on marginalized communities in the United States, the Berkeley Journal of Black Law & Policy researches, examines, and comments on issues facing Black communities and their connection to general societal issues at large. We hope to use our annual Spring symposium as a community space to focus on democracy and populism as our overall theme. In particular, we want to reflect on democratic and community values following the 2024 presidential election, provide support for marginalized groups as we prepare for the next four years, and reflect on what we, collectively, can do to support ourselves and others in a volatile political landscape. Those lessons will also be influenced by a historical examination of Bay area movements such as the Black Panther Movement and the Free Speech movement, which have contributed so much to our understanding of our collective, populist power to create and uplift institutions, groups, and programs that reflect our community's values.
As much as our Journal focuses on problems unique or of significance to Black people, we recognize that our struggles are connected to a host of issues faced by community members of other races and ethnicities, all of which are underlined by the same desire universal desire to be valued and respected. We want to host speakers from our local community, especially leaders at UC Berkeley, to discuss some of the topics we believe are practical manifestations of the democracy we idealize, including education, housing, and job opportunities.
Fundraising for this project through the Crowdfunding Cohort will allow us to print, prepare and share educational materials ahead of and during the Symposium, provide food for the event, and publicize it effectively. We will be able to engage students and community members and encourage them despite the projected dark days ahead during a Trump presidency, which has already begun to effect many of us directly, and tap into the communal and supporting environment that UC Berkeley has come to be known for. If we meet our goal, we will also be able to teach a new generation of budding attorneys and Berkeley community members about often forgotten or paraphrased movements that have historically proven the power of collective engagement and support, especially within the Black community. Any additional funds that we receive beyond what is necessary to produce the Symposium will be used to publish our accompanying Spring volume of the Journal of Black Law & Policy, which reflects more nuanced writings on the topics we're discussing at Symposium. If we don't reach our goal, we will still host the event, and anything short of the full amount fundraised will be used to put on the Symposium.
Budget Allocation | Use |
|---|---|
$650 | Venue & Travel - we plan to host the event at UC Berkeley Law, but in the event that we have to host elsewhere, these funds will be used in part to help rent a venue. Otherwise, these funds will be used to accommodate our speakers and participates and assist their travel and lodging as necessary to ensure their participation in the symposium. |
$650 | Food - small breakfast items, beverages for the duration of the day-long program, lunch and small bites for the reception |
$300 | Marketing - printing posters and the symposium booklet, outlining the program and recommended reading materials |
This budget provides rough estimates only, and actual expenditures may vary.
Thank you for taking the time to read and support Berkeley Journal of Black & Policy! Connect with us below:
Stickers and pens with the BJBLP logo, designed by students
A personalized/handwritten "thank you" postcard from a BJBLP member. Also includes a BJBLP sticker or pen.
This perk includes the name of the donor listed in the physical brochure symposium programs, a personalized thank you note, and a BJBLP sticker.
This perk includes a personalized "thank you" video from BJBLP members, a "thank you" postcard, a donor exclusive seat at Symposium, and a logo sticker or pen.
