Action Steps:
•Make a clear, explicit public statement in solidarity with Black Lives Matter on social media platforms
• Affirm staff with an internal message using the language Black Lives Matter
o Safety is one of Congreso’s core values and this affirmation ensures its campuses are safe places for clients and staff of all races.
• Hold mandatory diversity and inclusion workshops for all staff and leadership, contractors, interns, and volunteers regularly
• Hire a full-time Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Report the percentage of Congreso staff that identify as Black or African American
o How does this compare to the 33% of Black or African American clients in 2019? Does Congreso’s staff represent the diversity of the community we serve?
• Encourage teams to hold connection calls or team meetings dedicated to grieving and processing for current and future events
o Collective grieving
o Sharing resources
o Uplifting one another in the fight for justice
o Normalizing difficult conversations
• Recommended readings on systemic racism for non-Black staff are books by Angela Davis, Audre Lorde, and other similar authors; for more educational resources please click here
• Include an anti-racism resource section in Monday Motivation and Tips and Tricks emails and the Congreso Newsletter
• Promote donations to the links below and research other Black-led fundraisers to support
Organizations:
Philadelphia Bail Fund
NAACP Legal Defense Fund
BLM Philly
BLM
Go Fund Me:
George Floyd
Gianna Floyd
Ahmaud Arbery
James Scurlock
Tony McDade
David McAtee
Breonna Taylor
o Stay informed on fundraising statuses so that donations go where they are needed the most
• Highlight Black-led organizations that support Black communities during the United Way Fundraiser Campaign at Congreso
• Promote petitions like the ones below and research others
George Floyd
Breonna Taylor
Ahmaud Arbery
o Signing petitions is one step, so please follow up with cases to see where they are in their journey for justice
• Please do not expect Black community members or staff to educate non-Black community members or staff on racism and all associated topics
• Support the unified demands being made by Black organizations in Philadelphia
• Organize collaborative meetings with concerned staff to discuss Congreso’s progress with these steps