Statement from our Executive Director on Racial Justice

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Hello BHT community, 

We are coming to you today with a heavy heart. We acknowledge the collective heartbreak and outrage at George Floyd’s murder by the police, as well as so many other murders and injustices perpetrated on people of color. 

This week, the BHT staff spent time processing together, sharing space to be sad, angry, scared, and supportive. As a team, we have a diverse set of experiences, and each one of us experienced the last few days in different ways. We stand united in calling out that Black Lives Matter. 

The conversation we had this week couldn’t have happened without the collective equity journey we have taken over the last year and a half. Our conversations have moved from developing a shared definition of equity to looking at our organizational practices and challenging white supremacy tenants like perfectionism, sense of urgency, and either/or think with antidotes like developing a culture of appreciation, appropriate staffing levels for work plans, and avoiding making decisions under extreme pressure. (From Dismantling Racism: A Workbook for Social Change Groups, by Kenneth Jones and Tema Okun, ChangeWork, 2001). This trust and work led us to a deeper conversation. While none of us came away feeling “better,” we did come with a heightened commitment to ensure equity for all, by all. 

Here a few things on our minds that are guiding our discussions and actions:

  • How are we using our voice to speak up about injustice?

  • How do we widen the number and type of partners we work with in supporting justice work?

  • How do we support all the black and brown led organizations on the front lines?

  • How could we encourage people to vote? (We know that our elected officials decide how to direct funds. If we want a more just society, we need to make sure we have folks in office that reflect our community values.)

  • How can we ensure our Community Resiliency Fund lives up to our ideals of ensuring equity for all, by all?

And maybe, most importantly, this is a time for white leaders to do the hard work to be anti-racist. We must listen to our black and brown friends, colleagues, relatives, and hear them.

Here are a few resources that are teaching and inspiring us:

We’re challenging our tenacious, problem-solving partners to stand with us to do more and expect more. To work tirelessly to ensure every person in our community has the institutional support to achieve their full health potential. Use your power to ensure that no person experiences negative health outcomes as a result of identity, environment, or experiences.

Be Brave.

AP.