Earlier today I sent out the email below. I would be remiss to not post it on our blog where it will live forever ,proclaiming our commitment to social justice.

After fitful sleep, I woke up this morning ready to send out our usual announcement about upcoming webinars. Usually when I prepare our announcements, I am energized by doing something to help our profession. Today I was overwhelmed with grief and indignation. I  realized it was time to do something to help spur change about racism in our country and the loss of yet another unarmed black American.

As you can see from our past webinars, we are committed to all levels of equity, We stand in solidarity with with all who support social justice and are making their voices for change heard. It is up to each of us to do everything in our power to build a culture that is anti-racist, peaceful, kind, and just for all Americans and all humanity.

Yesterday, I received a statement from Joshua Sparrow, M.D., from Brazelton Touchpoints Center that included some resources to help us all take action.  You may find the following resources helpful:

• Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights—New Era of Public Safety: A Guide to Fair, Safe, and Effective Community Policing The recommended reforms in this report are intended to create accountability and build better relationships between law enforcement and communities of color.

• Equal Justice Initiative—Tragic Death of George Floyd Reveals Continuing Problem of Police Violence: The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.

• Center for Policing Equity—The Science of Justice: Race, Justice, and Police Use of Force: This detailed report delves into police administrative data to show disparities in the use of force.

• The National Museum of African American History and Culture—Talking About Race This online portal helps families, individuals, and communities talk about racism and commit to being antiracist.

• Color of Change—Sign a Petition to End Violent Policing Against Black People: Sign this petition calling for the end of police violence against Black people.

• Black Futures Lab :The Black Futures Lab transforms Black communities into active, interdependent, responsive public partners that change the way power operates—at the local, state, and national level.

• Movement for Black Lives: The Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) is a space for Black organizations across the country to debate and discuss the current political conditions; develop shared assessments of what political interventions were necessary in order to achieve key policy, cultural, and political wins; and convene organizational leadership in order to debate and co-create a shared movement-wide strategy.

• National Black Justice Coalition The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS. NBJC’s mission is to end racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ/SGL bias and stigma.

• NAACP Legal Defense Fund: The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) is America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans.

Our country is grieving on so many levels. From health to income insecurity to basic human rights, we have experienced loss too many times. Together, as a profession that cares deeply for children, families, and each other, we can do our part to heal and rectify the pain.  Let’s move forward united to make a difference.

While we already have an upcoming webinar on social justice, I am actively working to bring you another webinar focused on the current plight of our country in regard to racism. I hope you will stay tuned for more announcements about that.

With wishes for a future that sees all equal,

Fran Simon, M.Ed.
Chief Engagement Officer
Engagement Strategies, LLC
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