"God Works Incredible Good Out Of Unspeakable Tragedy"
Terence Crutcher was shot and killed on September 16, 2016 by Officer Betty Shelby in Tulsa Oklahoma. He was unarmed and law enforcement was not called to the scene due to any misconduct from the victim. Officer Shelby admitted to being “afraid” of Terence Crutcher. Her perceived threat of Terence Crutcher resulted, moments later in his lifeless body lying on the street without aid. On May 17, 2017, Officer Shelby was found “not guilty” by a jury of her peers who admitted that the Officer was unfit to serve in law enforcement. On May 22, Officer Shelby returned to the Tulsa Police Department on desk duty and was awarded back pay for missed days of work. Her actions unearthed almost a century of racial tension in Tulsa and left 4 children without a father. His family is committed to ending the tragedies of police brutality and supporting families who have lost love ones to senseless gun violence.
Tune in to Friday's Black HistoryMonth Virtual Teach-in at 12pm/et on NBA twitter as Etan Thomas discusses undertaught and ignored parts of Black history with the Legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, our founder, Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, and the curator of the NMAAHC, Dr. Damion Thomas.
Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, executive director and founder of the Terence Crutcher Foundation, has announced ten $1000 unrestricted grants for local community organizations.
After being surprised with a grant from the new Black Voices for Black Justice Fund to support her work in social justice, Crutcher knew she wanted to pay it forward. “The message from the fund is clear, unusual and very welcome: you trust us as Black leaders to know how to make a difference,” said Crutcher. “This infusion of support means more than I can ever say to me and my entire community.”
In announcing the fund, co-chair Kerry Washington, actress and activist, said, "The Black Voices for Black Justice Fund recognizes incredible leaders who have been on the frontlines working to dismantle the deep-rooted, racist systems that have plagued our country for centuries. Amplifying their voices and providing resources to these inspiring advocates is critical as we strive towards equity and racial justice in this country."
The grant awardees selected by Crutcher include:
- Joshua Harvey Foundation
- Joshua Barre Foundation
- T-Town Satin Dolls youth dance group
- Justice for Greenwood Foundation
- The Power Group
- Carver Women of Power Booster Club
- Black Lives Matter – OKC youth group
- African Ancestral Society
- Northside United Coalition of Clergy
- Not Forgotten Children Foundation
Each organization will be featured through Terence Crutcher Foundation social platforms beginning in 2021.
September 16, 2020 will be the 4th anniversary of the tragic killing of our beloved, Terence Crutcher. We are writing to inform you that we will NOT have our Annual Memorial Gala due to COVID-19. In lieu of the Gala, the Terence Crutcher Foundation has decided to honor Terence’s life with an organized day of service. The day of service will assist with finding solutions to the City of Tulsa’s homelessness crisis. We believe that criminalizing homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction and poverty in the middle of a pandemic is not the answer. The city is set to open a new overflow day shelter for people experiencing homelessness on Tuesday, Sept. 7, and 55 adult beds will be ready for individuals to shelter overnight beginning September 28, 2020.
Terence Crutcher Foundation Day of Service will consist of the following:
• Care Package Drive
• Barbeque Cookout
• Uplifting Music
Items needed for the Care Package Drive include:
Backpacks, scarfs, gloves, socks, undergarments, feminine hygiene products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, wipes, soap, shaving cream, razors, lip balm (travel sizes if available), dog dishes, small bottles of water, packaged cheese/peanut butter crackers, tuna packs, Vienna sausage, fruit cups, plastic spoons
Please drop off items for care packages at Greenwood Leadership Academy located at 1789 W. Seminole St, Tulsa, OK 74127 between the times of 9am - 3pm. You can also purchase items through our Amazon Wish List by clicking the link below!
As Tulsans face one of the most significant crises in generations, residents and organizations across the city have rallied together to support one another. Out of immense gratitude for the selfless work of our healthcare heroes, first responders and city sanitation workers in this difficult time, the Terence Crutcher Foundation is partnering with District 1 City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper and the George Kaiser Family Foundation in offering free lunches at various North Tulsa, Black-owned restaurants on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.
The Terence Crutcher Foundation is honored to work alongside ACLU, Human Rights Watch, and National African American Reparations Commission to host the first ever virtual reparations conference. We’re excited to launch this series to show why reparations for communities like ours should be a local and national priority
For more information visit www.thewhoweareproject.org
Check out this great video
President of National Action Network, Rev. Al Sharpton, speaks to a large crowd in Tulsa, OK shortly after Terence Crutcher was shot and killed by Tulsa Police officer, Betty Shelby
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