Dear Elected Leader,

Chattel slavery remains one of our nation’s greatest atrocities, leaving a profound and lasting impact on Black communities for generations. American Freedmen (descendants of the formerly enslaved) have long demanded action to address the systemic consequences of enslavement and its enduring vestiges. Reparatory justice, restitution, and compensation are essential components of this historic conversation.

As your constituents, we urge you to take a stand in this critical movement to correct a historical wrong. We ask that you support efforts in the state to establish a study on reparations—one that thoroughly examines the impact of slavery and subsequent discrimination to develop appropriate and meaningful remedies.

The time for action is now. We call on you to support the bill being proposed by advocates in the state, which would create an American Freedmen Reparations Commission. This commission would be a necessary step toward justice, accountability, and economic repair for those who have borne the brunt of this nation’s historical injustices.

We look forward to your leadership and commitment to advancing this urgent issue.

This letter campaign is important because it sheds light on Michigan’s overlooked history with slavery and the long-lasting impact of discriminatory policies that continue to harm American Freedmen descendants today. By pushing for the establishment of the American Freedmen Reparations Commission, this initiative seeks to formally investigate the state's historical role in slavery and systemic racism, providing a foundation for policy-driven solutions that address economic, housing, and educational disparities. Without such action, past injustices will persist in shaping present inequalities. This is a chance for Michigan to lead the way in acknowledging historical wrongs and forging a path toward meaningful reparative justice.

Please use the links below to send an email to decision makers expressing your support of this letter campaign.