On Racial Equity
These past few weeks have been incredibly difficult on top of an already challenging time for this country. As we face an unprecedented pandemic that is disproportionately impacting people of color, we are also watching America grapple with the senseless deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police and a legacy of ingrained racism and oppression against Blacks that must be stopped.
As a mother of four Black children, my heart aches. I am hurting alongside so many right now. We want our children to grow up in a better world. We want our children to live.
In the midst of this grief and fear, I am also feeling hopeful. I am seeing the streets in every state flooded by protesters calling for change. I am reading about people -- particularly young people -- planning to vote to push this change at the local and national level. I am watching so many rise up and lead authentically and unapologetically. I am hearing the beautiful proclamation that Black Lives Matter.
As the leader of Generation Hope, I feel -- and have felt -- a very deep sense of responsibility to address the racial oppression that is baked into the DNA of this country. I’m thankful that our racial equity work as an organization has actually been underway for more than a year now with the full commitment of our staff and board. Through a detailed process that ensures the work is done thoroughly, thoughtfully, and authentically, we have been leaning on the wisdom of partners like ProInspire and the Racial Equity Institute, and we have ensured that people at every level of our organization are involved in and driving these efforts. This includes our Scholars, who will have opportunities to listen, learn, share, and shape our strategies. Most importantly, our action on race equity is more than a letter or a tweet or a moment, it is strategic and enduring. We welcome you to hold us accountable and join us in institutionalizing these practices within our organization.
In addition to internal efforts, we are externally influencing change. Our new national report, which calls out the glaring disparities for student parents of color, represents our first resource for higher ed that leans into the systemic barriers that impede the progress of students with children. As a leader, I’m naming race in my social media and in interviews to shine a light on these disparities. My new book, Pregnant Girl, coming out next spring, will tackle the issues of race and poverty head on. Understanding that our commitment to address systemic racism must include legislation, we are now hiring a Director of Learning and Advocacy to craft a policy and advocacy agenda that will be driven by our Scholars’ experiences and their voices. No industry or sector -- whether higher ed, K-12, or philanthropy -- is immune to needed reform. And we are committed to doing even more.
We will be holding virtual discussions and trainings on racial oppression for our Scholars, mentors, and supporters in the coming weeks as the protests have accelerated this work. However, while there is urgency in this moment, we fully understand that for the Black community, this outcry and frustration is not new. This is a 400+ year struggle. We are tired. We are exhausted. As Roxane Gay wrote in the New York Times, “The rest of the world yearns to get back to normal. For black people, normal is the very thing from which we yearn to be free.”
Please join us in taking action. That action can look different from person to person, but each of us can find opportunities to drive change in our everyday lives. Whether it's having an uncomfortable conversation at the dinner table or reevaluating hiring practices for your department or organization. Often the best place to start is actively and intentionally listening to your colleagues, especially those who identify as people of color. Be a student. Let them lead.
Sincerely,
Nicole
Nicole Lynn Lewis
Founder & CEO Generation Hope
@NicoleLynnLewis