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June 19, 1865, marks the day when 250,000 enslaved Black people in Confederate-controlled regions finally learned of their freedom—2 ½ years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This Juneteenth, 159 years later, we celebrate the triumph of freedom and reflect on the progress made, while recognizing the persistent struggle against injustice that continues to affect the lives of Black Americans. At Mosaic Georgia, we honor the Black community we serve, who are disproportionately impacted by sexual violence. Nearly 1 in 5 Black women are survivors of rape, and 41% experience sexual coercion and other forms of unwanted sexual contact. These statistics reveal the deep-seated consequences of historical neglect and disbelief, leading to low reporting rates. Alarmingly, for every Black woman who reports rape, at least 15 remain silent. These harsh and unjust realities demand systemic change. This Juneteenth, let us honor the past, face the present, and strive towards a future where every voice is heard, believed, protected, and respected.

As Black History Month concludes, it's crucial to recall that February serves as a time to celebrate Black culture, community, and the invaluable contributions of Black Americans to society. During this time, Fact Forward affirms our commitment to center Black voices and culture to provide culturally responsive evidence and practice-based approaches to adolescent sexual health. Centering Black communities in this work includes creating spaces that embrace cultural diversity and work to dismantle systemic racism. When we center Black culture and history in programming, we connect to the lived experiences of Black people, create equity, and honor equality in our work. We must continue amplifying and uplifting organizations that support Black public health practitioners, center Black voices in building community, and creating space for equity and social justice in public health.

Happy Juneteenth! Social media is not enough, and one day is not enough. Every day, we have a responsibility to step aside and let Black women lead while vocally opposing the systems of oppression and racism active in our communities. If you’re off today and you’re white- the LEAST you can do is acknowledge Juneteenth. Go to a Juneteenth celebration. Educate yourself. Support Black owned businesses. Support Black led nonprofits and grassroots organizations doing the work. Check your privilege. Examine the biases that exist in ALL of us. Step aside.

Honoring Black History Month! At #CSGJC, we are committed to advancing racial equity, justice, and second chances within the criminal justice system. Let's honor the past, amplify Black voices in the present, and build a more equitable future for all. One way we’re honoring our commitment to advancing racial equity is by uplifting practical strategies that address the systemic challenges and disparities faced by Black people in the criminal justice system. Check out our resource on applying the Stepping Up framework to advance racial equity for actionable steps leaders and decision-makers can take now. https://bit.ly/3SDlgxc We’re also doing our part to amplify Black voices and the perspectives of people doing the work to implement and maintain initiatives focused on racial equity at the intersection of criminal justice and behavioral health. Register for our latest webinar today to hear directly from the people working to foster a more inclusive and just society. https://bit.ly/4beH5KF #BlackHistoryMonth

I’m just old enough to remember when Black hair worn in its natural state was claimed to be a political statement of an aggressive nature. It was used to justify restricting Black people’s ability to wear natural styles. It was meant to dismantle our agency and demonize how not only others saw us, but how we saw one another. To encourage policing our own communities inline with w.yte cultural narratives and misinterpretations of us. To drive a wedge. To elevate respectability as the ONLY legitimate course of action in dismantling oppression but also in gaining a foothold in the so-called professional world. The targeting of Black methods of community care and upliftment is a reminder that everything old is new again. Since landing on these shores, being Black has never NOT been politicized. Silence and waiting for this current era to play out isn’t a winning strategy for us either. Whilst many in my generation, especially those like myself, raised in close proximity to wy.te culture, where socialized to proceed with extreme caution and move in silence behind the scenes in these areas, that’s old strategy, we’re ingenious people and we can continue to innovate on ways to move forward based on today’s needs. One sure way to ensure the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” comes into fruition is to do nothing or to do very little and to do it in relative silence. Agitate, Educate, and Create to borrow a powerful sentiment from educator Ernest Crim III, MA. Imagine how badly you must have to see yourself if you feel a deep seated need to compromise and dismantle every method an already deeply marginalized group of people’s avenues of critical care? When the group you belong to was collectively born on home plate, well fed and rested, but the folks who had to walk thru hell just to get to the field — but still arrived with swag anyway; they make you THAT insecure about your internal sense of not being enough. That’s unfortunate. We gonna ALWAYS find a way; and we won’t leave anyone behind while we do. Ubuntu.

The message is loud and clear. You cannot help yourselves unless you help us too. That’s only “fair” right? White supremacy and patriarchy always works to center itself. Attempting redress is seen as oppression. Why meritocracy is a fantasy in the minds of those already privileged. This case is just another glaring example. What is going to be most telling is that Black people as we always do will adjust to the new reality and figure out how to thrive going forward. That is when the next backlash will happen. It is a pattern. Prepare for it now. This is exactly why elections have consequences. Stay vigilant. Vote accordingly.

As we say goodbye to Black History Month, we must make a conscious effort to keep the struggles of Black and marginalized women top of mind all year round. Every woman's pain deserves equal attention and care, but the reality is that the experiences of Black women often go unrecognized and untreated compared to their Caucasian counterparts. Systemic biases and historical injustices have perpetuated this disparity, leaving Black women to navigate a healthcare system that consistently fails to prioritize their well-being. The history of gynecological experimentation on Black slaves is a harrowing reminder of the depths of systemic racism in medical practice. Driven by a perverse belief that Black women didn't experience pain in the same way as their white counterparts, these women were subjected to horrific procedures without anesthesia or consent. Their bodies were used as test subjects for surgeries and treatments, inflicting immense suffering and trauma. This legacy of exploitation and dehumanization continues to reverberate in modern healthcare disparities faced by Black women. It underscores the urgent need to confront and dismantle the deeply ingrained biases that persist in medical research and treatment. We all need to stand together to amplify the voices of Black women, advocate for their rights, and demand equitable access to healthcare and support services. Together, we can create a world where all women, regardless of race, are seen, heard, and valued.

As we begin Black History Month, we're reminded of the resilience, struggles, and achievements of the Black community. It's a time not only to celebrate but also to reflect on the ongoing challenges and how we can collectively address them. We recently had the honor of hearing HEAL Board of Directors member Rhonelle Bruder share her journey and insights with the HEAL community. As a survivor and advocate, Rhonelle's experiences shed light on the deeply intertwined issues of race, gender, and human trafficking. "As a Black woman and survivor of domestic sex trafficking, I inherently understand the impact race and gender play in vulnerability to exploitation and the dual experiences of victimhood and survival. From the existing literature and firsthand accounts from Black and brown survivors such as myself, it is evident that racial inequities persist…Whether stemming from ingrained biases and stereotypes or exclusionary policies fostering social and health disparities, these factors increase vulnerability to trafficking and create barriers to accessing care, economic independence, and opportunities." Rhonelle's voice is a beacon for change within the HEAL Community, reminding us of the critical work ahead. Her courage in sharing her story underscores the importance of listening to survivors and using their insights to inform our efforts. Together, we can work towards a future where equity and justice are at the forefront of our fight against trafficking.

Black women in politics make history every day. This Black History Month, we’re lifting up important recent bills authored by two Close the Gap legislators that were highlighted in the California Legislative Black Caucus' 2023 Legislative Priorities. In all of California’s history, there have only been 21 Black women state legislators. What’s most encouraging: a new wave of Black women leaders is just getting started. More Black women are running for the Legislature in 2024 (22!) than in any other year we’ve tracked. We have the opportunity to make history by encouraging more Black women to lead the charge for parity and for equity.