June 2020 has been harrowing. In the midst of a pandemic that has disproportionately impacted Black and Brown communities, the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others sparked nationwide protests and reignited the conversation about police brutality against Black people. In response, President Evelyn Diaz made Heartland Alliance’s stance on the subject clear: enough is enough.
As an organization dedicated to equity and opportunity for all people, we believe that the voices of those we serve are powerful. We work with participants to lift up their experiences and expertise, and their guidance helps us create effective, strengths-based programs and frames how we advocate for system change. Because, across all of our programs, we see the harm that racism has had on black communities – and our society as a whole – and we know that dismantling institutional racism will take a multifaceted approach.
In a recent discussion, leaders from across our organization came together to look deeper into how racism impacts the people we serve and how our commitment to equity & opportunity for ALL people frames the way we work.
Panel Facilitator: Carlton Mayers, II – Senior Policy Manager, Criminal Justice Reform Policy, Research and Policy
Panel Participants:
Dawnya Underwood – Senior Deputy Director, SAFEty Programs, Heartland Human Care Services
Mye’l Lassiter – Director of Property Management, Heartland Housing
Kimeco Roberson – READI Chicago Community Project Manager
Esteban Moreno – Heartland Alliance International Colombia Director
