Board of Directors' DEI Statement
Solar Youth Board Statement in support of Black Lives Matter and organizational commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
Our board is united and stands together in the fight against racism, in all its forms. We are committed to ensuring an environment of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for Solar Youth staff and the youth we serve. We recognize that people, systems and organizations, in the United States and globally, have operated in a manner that has disproportionately negatively affected people of color. The injustice, violence and pain Black communities experience continually must be recognized and addressed.
2020 was a deeply challenging year. Health concerns, political turmoil and economic uncertainty have affected nearly everyone in one way or another; yet, the impact is far greater on people and families of color. The deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor serve as two examples of brutal violence people of color have been experiencing long before 2020.
Just as we expect governing entities and public and private organizations to take real action in supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and addressing deep-rooted racism, we share this commitment at every level of Solar Youth. We especially commit to amplifying the voices and powerful insight and perspectives of youth in our programs.
Our goal and pledge to the youth and communities we serve is not only to be anti-racist in our decision-making and actions related to Solar Youth’s structure, programs and practices, but to ensure we are working with purposeful intention in the fight to eliminate the oppression of Black and Brown adults and youth.
