Progress & Impact

June 9, 2020

The City of College Park’s Mayor and Council passed Resolution 20-R-16 renouncing systemic racism and declaring support of Black lives. Read the full proclamation here.

August 2023

“400 Years of African-American History Commission Convening” sponsored by the United States Department of the Interior in Hampton, Virginia. This was the first federally-hosted convening on Reparations.

November 21, 2023

Dr. Joanne M. Braxton, President of the Braxton Institute for Sustainability, Resiliency and Joy, made a report to the Commission on a substantial grant received by the Braxton Institute from the Decolonizing Wealth Foundation (DWF) in support of obtaining Reparations for Lakeland Now!. Dr. Braxton outlined some of the key features of the campaign and introduced the Reparations for Lakeland Now! team. She also thanked the College Park Restorative Justice Commission for picking up some of the unfunded aspects of the campaign, such as the residency by Mindy Fullilove. 2024 “For Love of Lakeland” reparations education project announced.

November 30-December 2, 2023

“Evanston National Reparations Symposium for State and Local Reparations” sponsored by FirstRepair.
Representatives of the Braxton Institute and the College Park Restorative Justice Commission attended the second annual Reparations Conference in Evanston, Illinois, together with other members of the Reparations for Lakeland Now! team.

January 23, 2024

Dr. Braxton and Braxton Institute VP Richael Faithful attended the Restorative Justice Commission of the City of College Park, Maryland. The Commission formally recognized collaborations with the Lakeland Community Heritage Project and the Braxton Institute in support of to carry out the mission of the College Park Restorative Commission.

March-July, 2024

For Love of Lakeland: Reparations Education Project was carried out through town halls, book clubs, community dialogues, and healing spaces. We've deepened understanding of Lakeland's history of resistance and the importance of reparations as a path to peace. We've integrated a trauma-informed lens into local leadership development and forged a consensus on the Reparative Action Priorities, outlining the next steps for our campaign.

Building National Connections

Lakeland's reparations movement has gained national recognition. We've been invited to participate in three national reparations convenings, including the recent First Repair gathering in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I was honored to serve as chaplain and spiritual caregiver at this event, connecting Lakeland with reparations leaders from across the country.