Google’s desire to help the disenfranchised in San Francisco.
By Raif Karerat
Google’s philanthropic arm, Google.org, is giving $2.35 million to community organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area fighting for racial justice.
The technology giant’s philanthropic arm chose organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area taking on systemic racism in America’s criminal justice, prison and educational systems, Justin Steele — who leads Google.org’s Bay Area philanthropic efforts — told USA Today.
Organizations receiving the grants include the Ella Baker Center, which will get two $500,000 grants for programs that will help develop a police violence reporting app and help low-earning workers and the formerly incarcerated earn more in the restaurant industry.
Meanwhile, the Oakland Unified School District will receive $750,000 to help improve graduation rates in the city.
Finally, the Silicon Valley De-Bug group will be granted $600,000 to help improve advocacy to at-risk communities in San Jose while helping them better deal with the criminal justice system.
An official announcement reportedly took place at San Francisco’s famous Castro Theatre during a screening of “3 ½ Minutes, Ten Bullets,” a documentary about the death of Jordan Davis, an unarmed black 17-year-old who was shot outside of a Florida gas station in 2012.
The film has currently garnered a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The decision to hold the announcement until the film screening is clearly meant to help underscore Google’s desire to help the disenfranchised in San Francisco, noted The Verge.
“We hope to build on this work and contribute to this movement for racial justice,” Steele stated.