During our Celebration of Black History Month, Black Communities Need Action to Accompany Pledges of Racial Equity

By Cierra Hinckson, Student Organizer and Lauren Footman, Director of Outreach and Equity

Following the death of George Floyd, America entered into a new moment of racial reckoning that caused public, private, and non-profit sectors alike to grapple with racial equity. This inflection point happened as the nation was already navigating two public health crises, COVID-19 and gun violence, which like police brutality, are disproportionately impacting Black communities. During this time frame many public commitments were made by groups such as corporations, nonprofits, and educational institutions to address racial disparities in their respective sectors, and Black communities around the country wondered if these commitments would materialize. Keeping these commitments is key because addressing police reform and ensuring socioeconomic mobility for Black communities are integral parts of reducing gun violence.

As we celebrate Black History Month this February, Black communities continue to struggle with systemic inequities rooted in racism. Recent CDC data reveals although only 2% of the U.S population, Black teens and men between the ages of 15–34 make up 37% of gun homicide victims. In addition, Blacks are 1.7 times more likely…