Hi John,

February brings both Black History Month and National Gun Violence Survivors Week. So far this year, we’ve endured 60 mass shootings. That’s at least 4,527 lives lost and countless others irrevocably changed.

Gun violence is an epidemic unique to this country. And while none of us is immune to its impacts, it’s imperative that we directly acknowledge the truth that communities of color bear the weight of this crisis far more than any other group or population. Each day, roughly 30 Black Americans are killed by guns and over 110 Black Americans experience non-fatal gunshot injuries.

While the data is important to look at, it only tells part of the story. The reality of this crisis is that too many families are torn apart every day by gun violence. Too many children fear for their lives. Too many widows are left to walk through the world without their partners. That is a reality that statistics can’t measure. It’s a heartbreak that we are determined to change.

This month serves as a reminder to all of us that the current gun violence crisis cannot be separated from white supremacy and systemic racism. As an organization, we remain steadfast in our intention to examine our own internal biases to better support efforts of progress. Read more of a detailed reflection on Black History Month here.

Thank you,

Renée (she/her)