Over the past months, you have often heard me say we are living through a major milestone, and as with all other milestones, it will be how our collective actions give rise to a new future that decides how history will portray the times we are in.

In the United States, there has been a history of shocking atrocities against Black Americans, made even more apparent over the last few months because of the prevalence of video-recording. Today, we give our collective voice to acknowledge that Black Lives Matter, to call for ending systemic and institutional racism, and to bring about equality and social justice. We must recognize that without the protests we are witnessing, rising from the tragic and senseless deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Stephon Clark, and so many others, we would be unlikely to reflect on the moment, to call for us to examine who we are as a society, and recognize what we are capable of being. Our ultimate potential can only occur when we change our hearts, our minds, and our culture. We must not just address the moment, but rather address the persistent conditions foundational to this time.

As an organization, the pursuit of equality is not new or fashionable. Nonetheless, we must acknowledge that we have yet to realize a culture that openly listens, fully respects, and vigorously seeks understanding, and today particularly so toward our Black staff and consumers. We can only become our better selves when we acknowledge that racism is learned and that we must be intentional in unlearning and addressing the bias implicit and otherwise that each of us brings to our work. Although everyone should be treated equally, the truth is that that ideal has not been realized.

This past week I engaged our senior leadership in a discussion on race, and specifically on how our organization has dealt with our Black staff and how our programs and services are working for our Black consumers. The conversation laid open strong feelings, personal conflicts, and self examination. In turn, I set the expectation that our senior leaders will have the same conversation with each of their teams and each of you. As an organization, we will not treat today’s events as a moment, but rather as a movement, and with the resolve that tomorrow will be a better world for everyone.

Changing the heart, the mind, and our culture, can only be done by having conversations, even when they are uncomfortable. We must be as comfortable discussing race as we are discussing more common topics. Yes, training helps, data informs, plans are helpful, and we will use each of them. However, we will not use training, data, or plans as excuses to delay the conversation. The discussion has started, and it falls to each of us to have it over and over respectfully, as active listeners, and in search of understanding.

Our commitment to and pursuit of employment, independence, and social equity and equality are more important today than ever. Thank you for your commitment to our mission, and thank you for your courage to engage in the conversation on race to advance equity and social justice for our Black staff, consumers, and community.

Joe Xavier
Director