Get 500 Schools To Teach L.O.V.E. & Reconciliation

HELP US GET 500 SCHOOLS TO TEACH L.O.V.E. AND RECONCILIATION
PRINCIPLES IN THE UNITED STATES BY THE END OF 2020

The National Day of Reconciliation has been created for the purpose of atonement, truth and reconciliation between police and people of color in the United States of America. We're taking this message to schools and to police departments -- and bringing peace officers and students together in a meaningful way.

The inaugural National Day of Reconciliation was September 17, 2019. Groups in 11 cities participated in the inaugural event from Columbia, MD to Ferguson, MO to Hawthorne, CA. The Second Annual National Day of Reconciliation will be September 17, 2020. We have set two goals: 100 organizations to participate in that day and 500 schools to start teaching L.O.V.E. Is The Answer principles by the end of 2020. 

Here are two news reports about the 2019 National Day of Reconciliation from events in Elon, NC ( https://www.thetimesnews.com/news/20190921/elon-is-local-host-for-first-national-day-of-reconciliation ) and Yeadon, PA (https://www.fox29.com/news/new-documentary-highlights-tense-relationship-between-law-enforcement-african-american-community).

Why is a day like this needed?
In Ferguson, Baltimore, Dallas, Charlotte, New York and dozens of other cities in America, tensions between police and people of color have boiled over into deadly violence. Everywhere we look, stories in the mainstream news and social media focus on the problems without offering solutions, only making things worse. In 2 1/2 years of taking this film around the country I've asked the same question at every screening and the answer is always "no." That question. In all of your schooling -- middle, high, college or, for police, the academy -- did you ever take a class on how to love your neighbor?

It's time for us to come together as a nation and heal these wounds by learning how to love our neighbor.

IT'S TIME FOR L.O.V.E.


L.O.V.E. is an acronym for LEARN about the people around you (even your enemies), OPEN your heart to their needs (what will make them whole), VOLUNTEER yourself to be part of the solution in their life (because if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem), and EMPOWER others to do the same (pay it forward, keep it growing, don't keep all that positive energy to yourself).

More than 30,000 people have seen our film in theaters, classrooms and sanctuaries since the film came out in 2017, including thousands of students and hundreds of peace officers and recruits. We believe everyone can benefit from experiencing our film, but our primary focus is to get students (middle, high and college) and peace officers to learn and grow together. Our experience shows that this is where our work is most effective and where the greatest positive impact to society will be made. 

We believe that by teaching people how to L.O.V.E. each other, we can lead our communities into a state of peace and reconciliation.  We've been testing it all over the country -- and it's working!

The award-winning film, WALKING WHILE BLACK: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer, started it all and here's what some people are saying:

“Unbelievably impressive. I wish every officer in the country could see it.”
— Dave Thomas, Program Manager, International Association of Chiefs of Police and Retired Police Officer

“I hated police my entire life until I saw this film. Now I want to be part of the solution and maybe even become a police officer.” 
— 15-year-old male high school student in the Watts area of Los Angeles  

“Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer” was a phenomenal film that provided an in-depth understanding of issues that we are dealing with today. The documentary was relevant and impactful. My students were especially impressed with how the message was centered around real people and their experiences. We appreciated the opportunity to work with Mr. Ali and provide a venue for this message of hope and Love. This documentary is an absolute extension of the classroom and could be used to support instruction.”
- Antonio M. Shelton, Ed.D., Principal, Santa Monica High School

“As an African-American male and instructor who grew up in South LA, I’ve never seen a film like, ‘Walking While Black,’ that offers not only informative information about some of challenges with policing and African-Americans in this country, it offers a space for critical thinking towards solutions in the story and subtitle: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer.” 
— Timothy Conley, Adjunct Faculty, Communication and Media Studies Department, Santa Monica College

CONTRIBUTE ANY AMOUNT TO SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS TO GET 500 SCHOOLS TO TEACH THE L.O.V.E. IS THE ANSWER PRINCIPLES 

Middle Schools, High Schools, Technical Schools, Community Colleges, Colleges, Universities and other learning institutions are all great places to hold screenings  of our film. Many schools simply do not have the money in their budget.

THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN

Every contribution of funds to our GoFundMe campaign helps us to provide sponsored licenses to schools.  Normally a yearlong screening license is $495, but thanks to matching funds from sponsors, for every $250 donated, we can give a school a free year-long screening license. That means not only will they be able to use the film for the National Day of Reconciliation, but they can use it every day on their campus for an entire year of learning in classrooms. You can give a little, which combines with contributions made by others to get screening licenses donated -- or you can give enough for one or more licenses to be donated to specific schools or your choice in your name! You get to choose where a license goes for every $250 you give.



We've already developed several workshop formats to go with the film and the L.O.V.E. Is The Answer book comes out soon  -- perfect for classrooms, small group studies or for casual reading.

CONTRIBUTE $25, PUTTING "BOOK" IN YOUR NOTES, AND WE'LL GIVE YOU A L.O.V.E. IS THE ANSWER BOOK + A BONUS OF A FREE DOWNLOAD OF OUR FILM FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE (not for public group screenings). This bonus offer is good for up to 5,000 contributors.

We're already working closely with schools, community groups and police throughout the United States -- one team, one family. 

If you want peace and love in your community, contribute any amount to our efforts now and be part of the solution.

With our film and our movement, we are proving that love is stronger than hate. I'm truly grateful for all of the support we received in making a beautiful, transformative film and I thank you in advance for helping us at whatever level you can as we create a movement that will bring peace and harmony to our communities and to the world. 

L.O.V.E. Is The Answer.

-- A.J. Ali

Here's a segment the NFL Network did on our film when it was shown at Temple University's law school...