As we think about supporting young Black people and other young people of color, it’s imperative that we go beyond these intellectual exercises to action, that we do all we can to address the effects of centuries of systemic and structural racism. We need to provide the social, educational, and health resources—including mental health support—to help young people not just survive, but thrive. Each one of us needs to show up for the young people in our lives and communities with compassion, prepared to take action in service to justice, rights and dignity.
At Hopelab, we work to co-create solutions with young people to improve health and well-being. If we hope to play a role in a future that truly honors the potential of young Black people and other young people of color, we will need to listen more closely and learn more deeply than ever—even, and especially, when those lessons are hard for us to hear. As leadership, we have committed to actively seeking out the ways in which we fall short, and in which we’ve contributed to an unjust world. We’re committed to having difficult conversations and educating ourselves, donating to organizations that support and lift up young Black people and other youth of color, ensuring that our hiring at all levels reflects diversity, and prioritizing work with and in support of young people of color.
Black Lives Matter. Young Black Lives Matter.
“The rate at which black Americans are killed by police is more than twice as high as the rate for white Americans. This is a non-comprehensive list of deaths at the hands of police in the U.S. since Eric Garner’s death in July 2014.” -LA Johnson/NPR
A List of Resources:
We’re inspired by the work of these organizations focused on creating opportunities for and lifting up young people in the Black community and other young people of color. We’ll be making donations and encourage you to support these and other organizations fighting for social justice.
Black Lives Matter
Black Futures Lab
Black Youth Project
Dream Defenders
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
Young Black Leadership Alliance
Campaign Zero
Black Visions Collective
Equal Justice Initiative
For our Bay Area neighbors – In addition to making donations, you can support black communities through your regular purchases by supporting local black-owned restaurants and cafes. Here’s a list being compiled by SF Chronicle food critic Soleil Ho.