The following is a statement from Brianna Brown, Co-Executive Director of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), on BlackTOP’s observance of Black History Month this year:

“Fearless innovators and change-makers. It’s who we inherently are as Black Americans, and no executive order or policy change will ever strip us of that fact. This Black History Month, we once again affirm how Black communities have been the cornerstone of our nation’s rise, and how our excellence continues to drive its prosperity. 

“With the twice-impeached White House occupant ridiculously claiming that DEI is a threat to our country, it’s more important than ever that we set the record straight and call out this bigotry by centering Black voices and recognizing our vast contributions to this country — a country our ancestors built.”

“BlackTOP’s work is rooted in building Black and Latino power by carving out an unapologetic Black lane that grounds us in our history — merging our imaginations with strategy to manifest our dreams.”

“No matter the powers we are up against, organizing will always be our vehicle for change, with collective liberation forever being our primary objective.

Synnachia McQueen, TOP County Leadership Team member in Houston, added:

“We will not allow the “victors” of the past or present try to rewrite OUR history and omit the contributions of OUR communities. 

“This Black History Month, we honor our ancestors, acknowledge the present, and continue our tireless work toward creating a future where race, age, gender, and class are no longer barriers to justice and our ability to thrive.

“Building a Texas and United States where freedom and prosperity are accessible to all is up to us — and through solidarity we will achieve it.”

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About BlackTOP

BlackTOP was built on the premise that the future of Texas rests in organizing Black folks across the state and getting US to the polls. With offices in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, BlackTOP launched canvassing programs across multiple Texas counties to talk to, organize, and mobilize Black voters ahead of the 2022 election. For more information, visit blacktoptexas.org.

The following is a statement from Brianna Brown, Co-Executive Director of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), on the juxtaposition of this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday:

“Texas Organizing Project today and every day channels the spirit of freedom-fighters like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – an indomitable, justice-seeking giant we proudly stand on the shoulders of.

“We must constantly build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear,” he stated – words that apply to the tenuous environment our movement finds itself in today, as millions in this country committed to a vision where all can thrive – no matter our age, race, faith, or gender – grapple with uncertainty and search for new ways to drive change for the common good.

“As TOP’s organizing evolves and takes new shape, our values remain constant. Our North Star is collective liberation. This is how we will lead, continue to positively impact lives, and win.”

Dr. Doshie Piper, TOP board co-president, added:

“No incoming administration of self-serving billionaires will control our well-being and dictate how we choose to lead our lives.

“To honor Dr. King’s legacy entails countering an agenda of division with an audacious and tangible manifesto of hope.

“It also means not cowering in the face of adversity, as we roll up our sleeves to fight the damaging policies and ideology of a cruel, right-wing extremist agenda”. 

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About Texas Organizing Project

TOP organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris, Bexar, and Fort Bend counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.

The following statement is from Brianna Brown, Co-Executive Director of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), on the fourth anniversary of Donald Trump fomenting deadly violence at our nation’s Capitol:

“No court decision or amount of gaslighting will erase what is undeniable fact – that on January 6, 2021, Donald Trump incited white nationalist violence at the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

“Four years after this deadly attack, it remains an infuriating national travesty of accountability and justice that this twice-impeached grifter has yet to feel the full legal weight of his actions that day, and thanks to his ultra-conservative Supreme Court, he likely never will.

“It is disgusting, though in no way shocking, to see today’s Republican Party – which Trump controls in the palm of his hand – continue to downplay the horrific display of white supremacy we witnessed.

“January 6, 2021, wasn’t the start of Trump’s dangerous attacks on our democracy, and it won’t be the last.

“Now back in the Oval Office, there is no doubt Trump will wield every bit of his power to dismantle democratic processes for his own benefit, while weaponizing the rule of law to attack any communities who he and his MAGA loyalists deem as threats to their divisive agenda – particularly Black and Latino communities.

“TOP’s commitment to building real political power in Texas remains steadfast. Donald Trump’s return to power only strengthens our resolve to fight even harder for the Black and Latino Texans who fuel our state.

“Regardless of race, income, gender, preferred language, or ZIP Code, all who call our country home deserve representation from elected leaders who will fight to fulfill the promise of our democracy, not destroy it.”

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About Texas Organizing Project
TOP organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris, Bexar, and Fort Bend counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.