New Single AGITATE, EDUCATE, ORGANIZE

Features Young RJ (of Slum Village), Ras Kass,  Kymrence Young, Trevor ‘Tricky Trev’ Smith and Nikki T (Nkechi Taifa)

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FirstRepair, BLIS Collective and Reparation Education Project release exciting cultural organizing anthem, “Agitate, Educate, Organize (AEO).

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The groundbreaking track amplifies the call to action for communities nationwide to mobilize around reparations and transformative justice. Combining evocative lyrics with dynamic production, “AEO” is a rallying cry for all committed to agitating, educating, and organizing for change.

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FirstRepair — founded and led by Robin Rue Simmons, a pioneer in local reparations advocacy — has commissioned a series of musical tracks, as a universal language, call to action, and a lyrical white paper to advance the centuries-old reparations movement. This collaboration with BLIS demonstrates how art and activism intersect to inspire solidarity and action.

“Music has always been a powerful medium to uplift justice movements,” said Robin Rue Simmons, Executive Director of FirstRepair. “Agitate, Educate, Organize’ channels the energy and urgency of this pivotal moment in the reparations movement. It’s a call to action that transcends generations and boundaries, reminding us that change begins with people power.”

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For BLIS, the collaboration represents the intersection of cultural production and coalition-building. “This song embodies the spirit of our work at BLIS — braiding narratives and growing movements,” said Trevor Smith, co-founder of BLIS and featured artist “Tricky Trev.” “Through music, we’re not just telling stories—we’re sparking movements and inspiring action. “AEO” is more than a song; it’s a movement soundtrack.”

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Civil and Human Rights attorney, author, founder of Reparation Education Project, and longtime reparations advocate Nkechi Taifa also shared why she has long used "Agitate, Educate, Organize" as a rallying cry: “This phrase is deeply rooted in the Black nationalist movements that paved the way for where we stand today.  The theme was particularly inspired by Brother D's electrifying song two decades ago, "How We Gonna Make the Black Nation Rise - Agitate, Educate, Organize!"  In addition, I’ve been profoundly inspired by the legacies of elders like Queen Mother Moore, whose tireless fight for reparations reminds us of the power of perseverance and vision. We are at a defining moment—an era where we can give birth to a new chapter in reparations advocacy, where creativity, culture, and activism converge to energize this movement like never before.”

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Reflecting on his experience producing the track, acclaimed artist Ras Kass shared, “Producing ‘Agitate, Educate, Organize’ was more than a creative process—it was an honor. Music is one of the most powerful tools we have to spark change, and this track is a testament to that. To craft something for the reparations movement, where the stakes are so high and the need for action so urgent, was humbling. It’s my hope that this song inspires people to take the next step, whatever that looks like for them, to push this movement forward.”