Online Campaign Generates Over $10 Million For Black Families Displaced By LA Fires

Black-owned organizations Spill, Afropunk, Walk Good LA, and Community Aid Dena have raised over $10 million for Black families displaced by the LA fires. Since January 7, The Guardian reported that the fires had caused the displacement of over 100,00 people, displaced 12,000 structures, and killed at least 24 people.

The fires have significantly impacted Black communities in LA. The New York Times reported that although only 8% of the general population of LA is Black, 21% of the residents affected by the fire in Altadena are Black people.

Which organizations are raising money for Black communities in LA?

Spill, AfroPunk, Walk Good LA, and Community Aid have raised money for displaced Black families in LA. On January 13, they announced that they received $10 million in fundraising for over 501 families.

“Thank you to each and every one of you for your unwavering support and commitment to uplifting our community. Together, we are making a real difference,” they said in a post on Instagram.

Community Aid Dena created a directory of Black families affected by the fire, including GoFundMe links, funding goals for families, and how much each family has raised.

How has Spill helped fundraise money for Black communities affected by the LA fires?

When Global VP of Community & Partnership Karen Parham saw how the fires affected Black residents, she immediately jumped into action. “I’m a third-generation LA County resident in leadership at SPILLl. I wanted to fundraise money as my family and friends were deeply affected – this was personal for me,” she tells POCIT.

Outside of raising money, the company has been drawing attention to the needs of the Altadena community by amplifying calls to action for funding and support resources for the restoration of the Altadena Community across their platforms.

“The momentum our efforts have generated thus far is remarkable, and I know we all share in the knowingness that this is just the beginning of a long journey of healing and recovery for the Altadena community,” Parham says.

Parham also shares that SPILL is using ad credits to help amplify awareness around the growing list of GoFundMe’s for displaced and affected Black Families in Altadena.

She adds: “We’ve also been participating in collaborative milestone updates with Community Aid Dena, GoFundMe, Afropunk, WalkGoodLA, and the response on SPILL’s platform has been tremendous.”

Image:  Getty Images/Zoë Meyers