Netflix’s groundbreaking series “Orange Is the New Black” is coming to a close, with its seventh and final season premiering today, July 26. Although the show is ending, the series’ legacy will carry on via the Poussey Washington Fund, named after the fan-favorite character played by Emmy-award winning actress Samira Wiley. The fund supports eight nonprofit advocacy groups focusing on criminal justice reform, protecting immigrants’ rights, ending mass incarceration, and supporting women affected by all of the above.
In a video promoting the fund, fans of “Orange Is the New Black” were asked how the show impacted their lives, with answers ranging from finding empowerment through the show’s dedication to queer visibility to pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Fans were surprised when cast members from the show emerged from behind the scenes to thank them for sharing their stories.
“Through the Poussey Washington Fund, our characters can live on and continue to make an impact after the show has come to an end,” said series creator Jenji Kohan. “Taystee recognized an opportunity to make a difference for her fellow inmates, and we saw no reason why we couldn’t launch our own initiative to have an effect on the real world.”
A fictionalized version of the Poussey Washington Fund makes an appearance in the final season of “Orange Is the New Black,” as Taystee (Danielle Brooks) starts a micro-loan program for women getting out of prison.
The real life version of the fund makes it possible for fans of the show to support the following nonprofits: A New Way of Life: Reentry Project, Anti Recidivism Coalition, College & Community Fellowship, Freedom For Immigrants, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Woman and Girls, unPrison Project, and Women’s Prison Association. Donations to the fund will be evenly distributed among the eight organizations.
“The creative team on ‘OITNB’ been honored to tell the stories of these characters and their lives for the past seven seasons and hope that the ‘Poussey Washington Fund’ will galvanize fans of the show to continue their relationship with the series subject matter in real life, with an eye towards positive change,” a press release for the fund states.
Catch the final season of “Orange Is the New Black” now on Netflix.
