Race Matters, Friends

is a nonprofit group united in the struggle for racial equity in Columbia, Missouri. We nurture conversations and actions about racial equity, racism, and structural inequality in Columbia, Missouri; the United States; and the world.

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Newsletter: 2019 Q3 (Fall)

Community Bail Fund

Secure Someone’s Freedom

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“Innocent until proven guilty” should not depend on race or income, but in America that is the reality. When someone gets locked up and can’t afford to pay their bail, they have two choices: plead guilty to the crime, or sit in jail until our backlogged courts can bring them to trial, which in many cases can take years. Even a week could affect someone's job, living arrangement, or custody of their children. We believe that people shouldn’t have to plead guilty to a crime they may not have committed just because they can’t afford a bail payment, which is why we’re paying people’s bail.

Get Involved

EVERYTHING

Come to Meetings!
2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month, Bethel Church, 201 E. Old Plank Rd., Columbia MO 65203. Potlucks on the 2nd Wed at 6pm, regular meeting starts at 6:30pm

DEVELOPMENT

Join us at City Council Meetings!
1st and 3rd Mondays of every month. City Hall, 701 E Broadway, Columbia MO 65201

ROAD SITUATION

Follow us on Facebook!
Race Matters, Friends has both a page @racemattersfriends and a discussion group @racemattersfriendscomo

CELEBRATE

Catch Up!

Get up to speed with your readings and dig into our suggested literature.

What We're Doing

COMO: RMF Community Response to COVID-19

Treasurer

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RE: CoMO Speaks; Common Needs for Public Health & Safety; Mitigating Pandemic Challenges; and a Return to Our Lives COLUMBIA, MO., 14 May 2020 -- Race Matters, Friends (RMF) would like to take this opportunity to disrupt yet another example of either/or binary thinking in addressing community problems. There are inherent conflicts with both Mike Trapp […]

Traci

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Columbia Public Schools Board Meeting 11 May 2020, CPS Discussion/Agenda Tonight, the Columbia School Board will most likely give a raise to a superintendent who answers to white supremacists and mediocrity in the name of progress. A superintendent who is not very honest and passive-aggressively deceptive because he can not manage any critical assessment of […]

Treasurer

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Race Matters, Friends President Traci Wilson-Kleekamp sent a video note to Helen Wade, President, Board of Education, Columbia Public Schools before the most recent board meeting, 2020.05.11. In this video, Traci Wilson-Kleekamp summarized Race Matters, Friends position of ongoing disappointment with Dr. Stiepleman's performance, administrative process, and lack of transparency and accountability. Ms. Wade responded to the email, noting that she would share the link with the board members.