We’ve Got What It Takes

By Kenny Stills, Activist & NFL Wide Reciever

When many of us began taking a knee against police brutality during the National Anthem, I was proud to use my platform for a cause that I believed in. Through the peaceful protest, and the media firestorm it brought, I was determined to connect the protest to the community.

I was looking for a connection to the grass roots, and journalist Shaun King suggested I get in touch with a criminal justice task force called Justice League NYC, which I soon learned is part of The Gathering for Justice. Their organization had not only been a vocal messenger for the issues at stake in the “Take A Knee” campaign, but had also worked closely with Colin Kaepernick to support his new endeavor to train Black and Brown youth on their Constitutional rights.

After the season, I had the idea to rent an RV and start a road trip across the South. I had no clue what I was getting into but knew I wanted to learn more about our country’s history, about the work happening within our communities and discuss goals of the protest. So I called my friends at The Gathering and within a few days they had planned a 16 day, 6 state, 12 city road trip where I was introduced to a range of organizations doing work with incarcerated youth, racial justice, immigration and mentoring.

It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I’m proud of the dialogue we opened in the communities we visited. In 2019, we added an additional week, 3 more states and a few more organizations to the agenda — once again, The Gathering coordinated the entire trip. In every city we had new opportunities to learn and grow. Here are a few stops that were organized:

I did voter training with Woke Vote and heard the legend Angela Davis speak.

I met with Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative. Visiting the Legacy Museum and Memorial shook me to the core.

I spent a day visiting youth in detention in New Orleans.

I went to Selma, AL and walked the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge.

I met Bree Newsome in Charlotte, NC where herself and other passionate activists took me on a tour of a historically Black town where I met the folks fighting to preserve its rich history.

I spent time with the Lexington Leadership Foundation where I was able to sit and talk with kids from elementary to highschool about protests and how it’s up to us to be the change.

That’s what really inspires me about their work: The Gathering for Justice is able to connect people to directly-impacted youth, community-based organizations and the extraordinary rich history of our people. And while the pandemic cut some of our 2020 road trip plans short, I am continuing to work with The Gathering to strengthen our partnership and make lasting impact.

When we began the protest a few years ago, everyone kept asking “what will it take for you to stop” or ‘when will it be over?” I think people don’t realize that the work never ends. I’m committed to activism the rest of my life. And that’s why I continue to roll with The Gathering.

I hope you’ll join me in supporting them financially during this difficult period, so they can continue the fight to end child incarceration, to stop racial discrimination, and to be the connectors we need to change the world. No donation is too small and every $1 counts. Thank you for supporting the movement!