May 16, 2025
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Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 16, 2025 – Even as efforts for equity and inclusion face significant challenges across the nation, the U.S. Reparations Movement demonstrates unwavering resilience and growing strength. To further unite and amplify this vital movement, FirstRepair and Decolonizing Wealth Project announce the launch of a dynamic new mapping tool that visualizes the organizations advancing reparations across nearly 50 state and local initiatives, available at www.reparationsresources.com. This innovative tool aims to accelerate the ongoing efforts for reparations and redress of systemic injustices against Black people in the United States by serving two critical functions:
1. Connecting the Ecosystem: The map will identify and locate the collective organizations actively involved in reparations, including movement partners and local initiatives currently underway.
2. Engaging Key Stakeholders: The tool will provide an accessible and comprehensive overview of the U.S. reparations landscape. “Local community efforts are strengthened with information, connection, and support,” said Robin Rue Simmons, Founder and Executive Director of FirstRepair.
“This map will strengthen the movement by making visible the incredible work happening across the country, fostering collaboration, and providing a clear entry point for those looking to advance repair.” “This map is more than a tool - it’s a testament to the power, persistence, and progress of the U.S. Reparations Movement. Through visualizing the local and national efforts advancing reparations, we’re strengthening our collective capacity to push for justice,” said Richard Wallace, Senior Advisor, Reparations, Decolonizing Wealth Project. “We look forward to continuing our efforts alongside FirstRepair as we fight towards winning systemic change and honoring the dignity of Black communities nationwide.” Decolonizing Wealth Project is the Founding Funder and Co-Creator of the reparations map tool.
The development of this vital tool was furthered by research by the Economic Policy Institute. “Reparations can be our North Star for equity, providing a counterweight against the current backslide into white supremacy. We want this data to lead to stronger coordination and resource-sharing across initiatives, and to give people hope for what’s possible in the reparations space,” said Kyle Moore, Economist, Economic Policy Institute Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy. “The movement for reparations has always been rooted in solidarity – connecting communities across the country in our call for reparative justice for Black people.” said U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley. “Thanks to the innovation and efforts of FirstRepair and Decolonizing Wealth Project, our reparations movement is gaining an invaluable tool to strengthen our network and facilitate increased partnership, grassroots power, and knowledge exchange. Our solidarity only makes us stronger, and I am grateful for the organizations and partners at the national, state, and local levels who are fighting to make reparations a reality, once and for all.”
“This map will help local leaders connect, be inspired by the work of others, and find potential partners in this critical movement,” said Tulsa City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper. “This map will be a total game changer for the local reparations movement. Those of us who are doing the groundwork will have instant connection and real-time information with all of the local reparation families throughout the country thereby creating a strong network for repair!” This map is the latest resource offered by the FirstRepair National Resource Center for State and Local Reparations.
A 2024 Reparations Beliefs and Sentiments Poll conducted by Liberation Ventures revealed that comprehensive federal reparations have substantial support among the American public.
About FirstRepair: FirstRepair envisions a just society where Black people are liberated, thriving, and repaired. FirstRepair supports community organizations, local government and other relevant institutions and bodies in successfully implementing tangible reparations through local efforts. We do this by synchronizing and equipping local leaders; building a national movement for local reparations; and demonstrating life with repair.
About Decolonizing Wealth Project: Decolonizing Wealth Project (DWP) is committed to bringing truth, healing, and repair to the global community. Established in 2018, and led by Edgar Villanueva, an Indigenous, award-winning author, and expert on wealth, spirituality, and social justice, DWP operates through three key strategies: sector transformation, storytelling and culture, and reparative giving. DWP’s work has radically transformed the philanthropic sector and has facilitated the distribution of over $700 million for social justice efforts. Liberated Capital, DWP’s fund and donor community, has granted over $21 million to support economic solidarity, wellbeing, and earth and climate efforts primarily led by Black and Indigenous communities.
About Economic Policy Institute: The Economic Policy Institute’s vision is an economy that is just and strong, sustainable, and equitable — where every job is good, every worker can join a union, and every family and community can thrive. ### Contact: Info@firstrepair.org 847-563-8579 www.firstrepair.org
27 organizations will benefit through Liberated Capital, a fund of Decolonizing Wealth Project, helping to uplift Indigenous efforts across the U.S. to combat the climate crisis.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – November 25, 2024 – Today, the Decolonizing Wealth Project and their funding mechanism, Liberated Capital, announced the distribution of $1 million in grants to 27 Indigenous-led organizations and tribes across the US through their Indigenous Earth Fund (IEF). The funding will support grantees’ efforts to tackle climate change and conservation through traditional Indigenous cultural practices and innovations. Grantees include local organizations working toward ancestral land return, land stewardship and conservation, advocacy, and youth engagement and education.
Since its inception in 2021, IEF has distributed over $4 million in capital to 38 Native-led organizations, and, as a result, has engaged over 200 tribes across the U.S. These grant-making initiatives reflect the Decolonizing Wealth Project’s mission to redirect resources to historically overlooked or marginalized communities, with a focus on supporting traditional Indigenous cultural practices as effective solutions to the climate crisis. Highlights of past grantees who have made significant strides through their climate work as a result of IEF funding include SAGE Development Authority creating the first Indigenous-owned utility-scale wind farm in the U.S; the creation of an Indigenous Storytelling Hub featuring digital shorts and a podcast series set to launch in 2025 by Indigenous Led; dam removal and flow restoration campaigns led by Save California Salmon, and more.
“Indigenous peoples safeguard much of Earth’s biodiversity, yet philanthropy has chronically underfunded their work,” said Edgar Villanueva, CEO of Decolonizing Wealth Project. “Our Indigenous Earth Fund addresses this critical gap by channeling resources to Indigenous climate and conservation leaders who have maintained vital ecological knowledge and practices across generations. This fund reinforces our steadfast commitment to Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.”
“Thanks to the generous support of Decolonizing Wealth’s Indigenous Earth Fund, the Bering Sea Elders Group has continued to realize our mission of protecting our traditional ways of life, the Bering Sea, and our children’s future,”
— Jaylene Wheeler, Executive Director of the Bering Sea Elders Group.
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