“The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.” - Malcolm X This quote by Malcolm X is well known by Black women in my community because...
Massive Resilience: An Emergent Strategy for Racial Equity in Richmond, VA
“Equity is more than access to resources; it’s a deep commitment to liberation predicated on self-love, self-justice, self-healing, self-determination, and compassion for others.” - Dr. Ram Bhagat I was born two years after the landmark Brown v. Board of...
Intentionally Connecting With The Other
I was only 12 years old when I moved from Guatemala to Virginia with my mom and siblings to reunite with my dad after 10 years. Everything was new to me. I remember coming out of the plane and even noticing that the air smelled different. I felt so far away from home,...
“Si, yo Hablo Español”: Empowering Spanish-speakers with Culturally and Linguistically Accessible Services
Growing up in Miami Florida as a Latina, I never really considered myself a “minority” because of the high population of Latinos and Spanish-speakers living there. Every sign you read and every space you enter is bilingual; that is the norm. So, when I moved to...
The Case For Meaningful Language Access
Through my work in the Richmond area for the last twenty years, I have dedicated my career to welcoming immigrant families, starting at Refugee and Immigration Services, then through the City of Richmond Office of Multicultural Affairs, and for the last five years,...
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