We want to acknowledge that it is National Minority Mental Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by marginalized communities. At Progressive Maryland, we are committed to fostering inclusive and equitable spaces where mental health is prioritized and supported for everyone.

This week, we are thrilled to announce the launch of several exciting programs aimed at creating positive change in our communities so now is the perfect time to get involved! You'll find a wealth of opportunities to contribute and make your voice heard. Whether you're passionate about reentry work, healthcare reform or environmental sustainability, we have initiatives and campaigns that need your support. So, keep reading to discover how you can actively participate and make an impact.

Let's harness this momentum and join forces to create lasting change.

Thank you for being part of our organization, and let's make this month one to remember!

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

• PM task forces & issue campaigns: 7/10 BWC, HCTF, RCTF, EJTF
• Events from Allies
• State & National news

Updates: PM Task Forces & Issue Campaigns 

7/10 Black Workers Center

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Progressive Maryland 7/10 Black Workers Center! This groundbreaking initiative aims to to mobilize Black workers in Maryland, particularly those who were formerly incarcerated, in advocating for transformative shifts in local economic development policies. Our focus is to prioritize the interests of working-class individuals over the profit-driven agenda of affluent developers and exploitative corporations. Through a comprehensive approach that includes advocacy, resources, and community-led policy reform, we are committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by Black workers. We are excited to introduce Shannon Talbert as the organizer for the 7/10 Black Workers Project. For more information and to get involved, please reach out to Shannon. 

Healthcare Justice Campaign: Care Over Cost–Demanding the Care We Deserve!

We’re hearing from hundreds of Marylanders who are signing down to support our campaign to stop the health insurance industry from denying care. We need hundreds more people in this fight in order to build the power we need! The focus on profit over patients is getting in the way of paying claims and approving the procedures and treatment we need. People of color are hit especially hard by these cruel practices. If you’re with us, there’s never been a more urgent time to get involved:  

• Sign up to do outreach with our wonderful team.
• Share yours or a family member’s experience with an insurer on this short survey.
• Sign Our Petition
• Come to our national event this month– learn how the private insurance industry is withholding necessary medical treatment and causing patient harm at our Virtual Care Over Cost Teach-In on Wednesday, July 26. RSVP here

Returning Citizens Taskforce

RCTF has changed its regular meeting schedule – our meetings will now take place on Mondays, beginning today, July 10 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. We will then continue to meet bi-weekly via zoom. We are also exploring holding some meetings in person on Saturdays during the day. More details will be provided in next week’s PM Memo. For more information about our bi-weekly meetings or about any aspect of our work, please contact Kurt.

Exciting news! We’re offering grants for people and organizations who are working to support individuals re-entering society after incarceration. If you represent or are part of an organization doing reentry work in Prince George's County, you can apply for this funding opportunity. The grants will support initiatives like transitional housing, health services, mentorship programs, and creative arts projects. The application deadline is July 31. Learn more and submit your proposal here. 

Environmental Justice Task Force

In the 70's and 80’s, neighborhood block parties were a staple in many communities. At a block party on July 2nd, a mass shooting  transpired in the Brooklyn neighborhood of South Baltimore. 28 people were injured and 2 people were killed. In response to this grisly tragedy, on the 4th of July, Governor Wes Moore and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott stood in solidarity with the South Baltimore community at the Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival at Middle Branch Park. SirJames, PM’s Environmental Justice Organizer, was also in attendance, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with frontline community members. To amplify awareness around the importance of ending gun violence, SirJames will be writing a blog post for the PM blog soon.

EVENTS FROM ALLIES

Opioid Response Network: Next Friday, July 14, the national Opioid Response Network (ORN) is holding a regional summit on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum Heights.

State and National News:

In Maryland, energy and environment news stands out; around the states, there is occasional sane behavior among the tales of Red-State lunacy (sue a big-box store for selling popular Pride merch?). And Congress is back with much to do and a short schedule to fritter away before blind panic actually brings low-information votes. But you knew that. Still, we have details that might be helpful in this week’s News You Can Use

Progressive Maryland BlogSpace:

We value creating space for our members to express their thoughts on any issues related to our campaigns. Have an idea for a blog post? You can submit writing, film, graphic design, etc. to be published on our website to the blog moderator Woody.

• New Today- News You Can Use around Maryland, the nation of states, and even the feds

• New Today- Progressive Maryland's Returning Citizens Task Force Seeks Grant Proposals

• News You Can Use: The Cannabis Era begins in Maryland

• Our solidarity impact on DC

• Early Bird News You Can Use as Maryland progressives join People's Action conclave

• The state of America -- and Maryland -- after Juneteenth 2023

>>Read more on the homepage of progressivemaryland.org

Don't forget to follow us on social media!

Progressive Maryland
P.O. Box 6988
Largo, MD 20792