Justice for Medlock

Today, Governor Jared Polis announced Dannette R. Smith, MSW to lead the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). Smith will start as BHA Commissioner on March 18. The Denver Post coverage shared Smith’s appointment which is a big win for Justice for Medlock and the community, as Smith is a Woman of Color, and is connected to Dr. Medlock via a national fellowship. The Denver Post also highlights Morgan Medlock, MD, MDiv, MPH's ongoing EEOC case, after being discriminated against and unjustly removed from her role as the BHA Commissioner. The appointment of a Leader of Color, after the loss of Dr. Medlock, builds off of Dr. Medlock’s foundation of community-centered co-creation and success in launching the BHA. The people of Colorado deserve the accessible, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive behavioral health care that Dr. Medlock was working to deliver. With Smith starting her role on March 18, the JFM collective truly hopes that final justice will be delivered to Michelle Barnes, Interim BHA Commissioner, who has not only lied to the people of Colorado, but also harmed BHA employees with historically resilient identities, and has several open civil rights complaints (all of which JFM has reported on with receipts in previous drops).  JFM will continue to report on Dr. Medlock’s federal racial discrimination and retaliation complaint. The collective will continue to seek Justice for Medlock so thank you for supporting the movement. 

“Black women [are] being promoted into leadership positions and then given the near-impossible task of fixing a broken culture or turning around an insolvent organization, all while incurring the added labor and toll of acting as representatives for one or many systemically marginalized identities and populations.” See what else Cicley Gay has to say in the article, “There Is Nothing Uncomplicated about Being a Black Woman Leader”: https://bit.ly/4f4AhBd

I have been gaslighted, discounted, and undermined at every junction of my career. I found that if I stayed the course, was successful, and did not outshine or question my White progressive counterparts, then I was okay—but as soon as I began to speak up about inequities occurring in my workplace, then suddenly I did not have emotional intelligence, or was taking things too personally, or somehow not only did leadership feel bothered by my “attitude” but also (phantom) staff felt the same. (Staff members were never named, leading to my paranoia vis-à-vis coworkers I once thought I could trust.) Nonprofit Quarterly

Despite increased dialogue around racial and gender bias and discrimination, women of color struggle to advance in their careers due to the rigidity of unjust systems. Stanford Social Innovation Review

The recent The Denver Post article, while shedding light on the challenges Colorado nonprofits face, only scratches the surface of the deeper issues at play. Mentioning Dr. Medlock's dismissal without delving into the harm she endured and continues to combat adds to the erasure of her experience. By amplifying the narrative of her firing without acknowledging the broader context of racial discrimination and institutionalized biases, media outlets inadvertently side with the oppressor, perpetuating a cycle of injustice. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gNiMXGuD.

His words can never be unheard, his dream can never be erased. For his dream lives within each and every single one of US! Continuing to dream that someday OUR Dreams will become reality! Thank you Morgan Medlock, MD, MDiv, MPH for your dream, for I stand in Solidarity!

My shero Dr. Morgan Medlock is the convocation speaker at the MLK celebration at Valparaiso University today. She inspires me to do greater work in the world as Martin Luther King inspired us all. I still believe in your vision Dr. Medlock. I carry that light with my always. 🙏🏾❤️

Morgan Medlock, MD, MDiv, MPH took the stage with a commanding presence, beginning her remarks at Valparaiso University’s MLK Day Celebration with a profound act of truth-telling. "If you know anything about my career in public service," she began, "then you know that recently I endured a public act of racism. So what I am sharing with you today is not a sanitized call to action about how to overcome. It is the real wrestling of a human being with her own suffering and her resilience." In a moment that resonated deeply, she reminded us, "Let us remember that unearned suffering is redemptive." Dr. Medlock bravely declared, "I am colonially underserved. I am institutionally underserved, but I am historically resilient." However, her words went beyond personal experiences sharing "Our suffering is redemptive", and urging us to consider a broader perspective. "Ultimately, there is a need to advocate beyond the level of the individual and to address the systemic and robust forms of racism that we must still contend with." Drawing an analogy, she stated, "When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower." Carrying these beliefs into her various roles in public service, Dr. Medlock emphasized fundamental principles. "I believe that government ought to be about people, that systems ought to serve people, and that public servants ought to tell the truth." She passionately expressed, "Equity is not just naming root causes of injustices. It is allocating resources to support the desired outcomes." She called for a shift from short-term fixes to generational solutions. "Our communities deserve generational solutions, not just election cycle talking points," she asserted. Dr. Medlock challenged the status quo, stating, "The seat of government ought not be controlled by those just seeking to maintain power, but it must be shared with persons with lived experience." In her closing words, Dr. Medlock left an indelible mark, calling for a genuine commitment to change, equality, and justice. Her powerful remarks catalyze reflection and action, inspiring us all to be advocates for lasting transformation. Follow the blog link to read the complete transcript of Dr. Medlock’s MLK Day Convocation Address at Valparaiso University: https://lnkd.in/gwb6QJCS You can also listen along or watch the live stream recording at https://lnkd.in/gKbfX-wv, starting at 52:00. #MLKDay #MLK #JusticeForMedlock