Dear Friends,

It is hard to find the words to describe the pain, the anger, and the heartbreak felt in the Partnership with Children and The Center for Arts Education community. But we can name the cause: the institutional anti-Black racism and oppression in our country. And our Black clients and colleagues, who navigate personal and vicarious trauma every day, are among those most affected.

We know that the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Nina Pop, and countless others are rooted in a long, persistent history of anti-Black racism in this country. We need to work to change this, now.

And, because of the systemic and structural racism that perpetuates inequitable health, education, housing, and wealth, we have watched disproportionate suffering due to Covid-19 in communities of color. We can no longer choose not to address this.

The incredible national and local trauma has shone a light on what we already knew. It is incumbent upon all of us—especially those of us who are white—to stand in solidarity against injustice and racism. But that is not enough. We need to commit to embracing our shared humanity and our shared destiny; acknowledging the effects of power, privilege and oppression; and being accountable to changing ourselves and our systems.

Partnership with Children, The Center for Arts Education, and I reiterate our commitment to antiracism. We remain dedicated to our equity and inclusion initiatives, and are committed to intensify and invest in these efforts. We stand with our staff members and our communities, and especially our Black and Brown colleagues, to demand justice, and will work to create a culture of empathetic accountability to ensure that each of us does our part. Our staff continues to support each other, to heal and find comfort in community, and to strengthen our resolve so we don’t fall into despair—all while working on the frontlines to help the communities hardest hit by racism and oppression. And we will ensure our programs support young people to define their own paths and lift up their voices.

There is so much work to do. This is a moral moment, and we will not let it pass without action.

Sincerely,

Margaret Crotty
Executive Director & CEO
Partnership with Children & The Center for Arts Education