Jack Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of Twitter and Square, announced that he is donating $1 million to the Masks for the People humanitarian campaign.
The campaign, which launched last week and is a joint project of LIVE FREE and Black Church Action Fund, seeks to secure free masks, sanitizers and testing kits to communities who are otherwise unable to access them. Dorsey made the historic announcement on Instagram Live April 13 with campaign leaders Pastor Michael McBride, director of Faith in Action’s LIVE FREE campaign, and W. Kamau Bell, CNN host and comedian.
Said Dorsey on the campaign: “Your plan was extremely thoughtful and comprehensive, and it’s obviously touching a community that needs it. The way you thought out not just the logistics of how to buy the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and the protective gear for people, but also how you’re supporting them with community outreach.”
Black and Brown communities comprise a disproportionate number of Americans with underlying health conditions and are vulnerable in the face of America’s frayed social safety net. They are more likely to be sick, without health coverage and without access to stable housing and protection. Masks for the People was born from the idea that leaders in directly impacted communities must begin to develop supply chains and information systems to help overcome these barriers.
“Less than a week ago we pulled together an unprecedented coalition of activists, faith leaders, artists and entrepreneurs committed to securing a supply chain of PPE and preventative care for Black and Brown communities,” said McBride. “Thanks to Dorsey’s generosity, and the generosity of others who have given, we can scale immediately and expand beyond the initial eight to 10 cities. It’s just a blessing.”
For more information, visit http://www.livefreeusa.org.
