Greetings and Salutations from team Lace! As the Interim Executive Director at Lace on Race I want to talk a little bit about the inexplicable and unexpected loss that continues to pain us. This life though, is demanding that we show up still as our very best selves.These three months have been about GRIEF (the emotional state that knocks us off our feet and covers us like waves) and GRIEVING (adapting to the fact that our loved one is gone), and we carry the absence of them with us. Recognizing that both states present differently for each individual, we encourage you to share your experience as we continue to learn and process together. How do you generally deal with death, dying and loss? Are there ways that our community can help those of you struggling? How do we return to “normalcy”?   

We have committed to honoring and shaping Lace’s vision in this, our new reality. We will continue to walk and drive in faith and love. We will be true to our mantras, exude grace, and wade through the waters, muddy as they might be. Challenging as all of this is, I promise you, it will be worth it. The leadership team and staff have been working tirelessly and have made changes to our website that will please you. The new pages reflect a lighter look and ease of use as you navigate our content.

I am grateful for your patience and love as we forge ahead.  All of our actions are steeped in CANDOR, LOVE and HESED. We are vetting new partnerships, introducing them with more information on their mission and values. LaceOnRace is reaffirming our commitment to the Mental Health fund that provides funding for people of color experiencing trauma in their daily living, and are without the resources for the care they need. This fund is life-saving and the cornerstone of our dedication to mutual aid. These are progressively challenging times for Black and Brown people on many fronts. Water Rights guaranteed by treaty are now at risk for the Navajo Nation . LGBTQIA2S+ communities are losing basic human rights in most states. The disconnect between Theory and Practice for Health Justice is growing exponentially and affecting Black women disproportionately. There is little sign of change on the current horizon and so we try to take care of each other. Morally we are called to give voice to these injustices, highlight and applaud the spaces and places actively and successfully changing outcomes. We must dutifully ask ourselves “Who will I be?”. Where will I serve ?  I say THE NORTH STAR.

Of much equal import is another issue that affects nonprofits led by and/or serving marginalized people. I want to begin work that intentionally and deliberately decolonizes the giving to, and funding of non profit organizations run by people who look like me. As part of a community of giving and caring, it is time to learn and understand the barriers to accessing vital and necessary funding. We must openly acknowledge that Racism and White Supremacy has and continues to gatekeep the bastions of philanthropy and grantmaking, as well as influencing the giving public . Understanding this phenomenon and deconstructing it should become a priority. The vast majority of leaders of color polled in studies around these disparities, agreed to talk, only if they could remain anonymous. There is fear that candid conversation about donor behavior might result in lost donations. Let us plant seeds of information as conversation starters. The allies and co conspirators funding the fight for Equality, and against Racism and White Supremacy, have not yet done the internal work themselves. If we are who we say we are, then our words must align with our deeds. Our financial flex must sync with our relational flex. Beneficiaries of care and much needed aid are being shortchanged. We must do better. Giving generously to LaceonRace is the ultimate form of RESISTANCE. It should hurt and it should heal. I bring this ask for financial support humbly, with courage, conviction and the knowledge that I must do hard things. Together we remain ordinary humans doing extraordinary things .

More Joy and More Courage

Leonie