Say Breonna Taylor's name.

YOU HOPPED IN.

This week has been hell, but we're going to continue raising hell.

I asked you guys to pull up and over 120 of you did.

We are wide awake, we are coming for justice, and we will not stop until we get it.

Click the image to read all the submissions.

Today would have been Breonna Taylor’s 27th birthday.

She was less than two years older than me. We could have been friends. She could have been one of your friends. One of your students, neighbors, co-workers.

She served on the frontlines as an EMT during this pandemic, only to be wrongly shot multiple times while asleep in her home a few weeks ago. George Floyd’s murderers were charged before hers were.

We are not done, and we are seeking justice for her next.

Here is a list of simple clear-cut actions you can take today, on her birthday.

I wrote down something a few years ago in my “Note to Self” journal, the one I told you about last week. I wrote it after I making a huge mistake at work by not speaking up when I felt compelled to, out of fear of shaking things up.

“People who don’t make noise, don’t make change.”

It was a promise to myself that I wouldn’t stay silent again.

It was a promise to myself that I would speak out, even in fear.

And I promised you, newsletter readers, that you are my VIPs. So you are the first with access to buy these stickers. They are dedicated to Breonna.

They are only $6, and all proceeds will be donated to 8 Can’t Wait, a new initiative by the reputable Campaign Zero. They have come up with eight policies that are calling for immediate action within the police force. I really love this org because they have the power to lobby and push for legislation — and it’s worked in the past.

Remember — there's only 50 stickers and you guys get first dibs.

My boyfriend Dan is also devoting his birthday today to supporting 8 Can't Wait. His goal is $10,000 and with the help of his friends, they are matching the donations 100% and the first $1,500 by 200%. If you aren't interested in buying a sticker but would still like to donate, Venmo him at DAN-P-NOLAN with anything you can.

BUY ONE NOW

Lastly, we’ve collaborated with artist and illustrator — Mary Zilberfarb of Doodles by Mary — to create a digital series of sticky notes. Look at how beautiful they are!

She left the last one blank just for you, so if you haven’t participated, it’s not too late. Please feel free to download the image, fill it in, and post it anywhere and everywhere — in your home or online.

This is not the end of the fight or your allyship. This is lifelong, and you’re in it now. We will keep being loud until we see justice for Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice, Tony McDade, Eric Garner, and so many more people who didn’t get the chance to live out their lives. It hurts me to know that these are only a few names and every time we speak of these injustices, there will always be someone whose name was never brought to light.

The protests will die down. The buzz will settle like dust. But know that the work is still not done. There will still be companies and organizations you work in with no black leadership. There will still be friends and family and bosses who use microaggressions. There still may be, my God I am shaking typing this, more black people killed and arrested unjustly. Keep calling it out when you see it. Keep donating. Keep reading. Keep watching and listening to black art and entertainment, even when it’s not about injustices surrounding our existence but it’s simply about our lives and our joy. Keep protesting. Keep being uncomfortable. Keep checking in on your friends. Keep voting.

Keep making noise.

YOUR TURN