Tides’ Statement on the Murder of Sonya Massey

We are horrified by the news reports and video evidence showing the brutal murder of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, on July 6th. A devoted mother of two and a beloved cousin, sister, and friend, Massey was fatally shot in her own home by the police she called for help. Her tragic death underscores a truth Americans have learned too many times: that until we transform the unjust justice system at the heart of our society, Black people will continue to suffer and die. 

Across our country, Black women are disproportionately targeted, victimized, and killed by law enforcement. According to the African American Policy Forum, a Tides Foundation grantee, Black women make up around 10 percent of the female population in the U.S., yet they account for one-fifth of all women killed by the police and almost one-third of unarmed women killed by the police. In most instances, the police officers were not held accountable.  

At Tides, we are shifting power and resources to communities which have been denied both. Our goal is systems change, and we can’t do it alone. The truth remains – Sonya Massey should still be alive.

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About Tides
Tides is a nonprofit and philanthropic organization committed to advancing social justice. It works across the social sector to shift power to communities of color and other groups historically denied power. Centering equity and justice in everything it does, Tides collaborates in deep partnership with movement leaders, nonprofits, donors, foundations, and corporations to amplify the impact of their work by providing services like fiscal sponsorship, donor advised funds, grant making, and a variety of innovative solutions. 

Media contact: tides.org/media-relations