Dear Grantee Partner,

Many of us celebrated the end of the year filled with hope, excitement, and optimism for the new decade. Unless we had clairvoyant vision, we could not foresee the turmoil our communities, country, and world would have to endure. The past several months, and recent weeks in particular, have been extremely challenging for me both personally and professionally. As a Black (Afro-Latino) man, I have been reminded subtly and abruptly how this country treats and feels about Black people (African-Americans, Afro-Latino/a/x, Afro-Caribbean, etc.). Having to engage my daughter in yet another conversation about the deaths of unarmed Black men and women (the recent murders of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor), puts me in the position where I am forced to provide her with a false sense of hope that things will improve, even though recent events say otherwise.

Black Lives Matter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman, the man who fatally shot and killed 17 year-old Trayvon Martin, who was unarmed, in Sanford, Florida. In 2016, my fraternity brother, Colin Kaepernick, began a peaceful protest to bring attention to the injustice and inequality that continues to plague our country. He took a stand by kneeling during the National Anthem. His action was interpreted as disrespectful to the military and to the flag as opposed to drawing attention to racism and police brutality. As a result, he has been ostracized and blacklisted by the National Football League. The vitriolic reactions to Colin Kaepernick and to the Black Lives Matter movement reinforces to the Black community that we are neither valued nor respected. The message from America is loud and clear: we are still viewed as less than a human being.

The Nelson Foundation is dedicated to addressing inequality, inequity, and injustice in the greater Philadelphia community. Our mission calls us to, “…expand opportunities for children and youth to become responsible, productive and engaged members of their communities. We do this by supporting organizations that improve the academic, character and leadership development of children and youth.” You have received a letter from the full Board and staff of The Nelson Foundation, naming the Foundation’s commitment to end racial injustice. I write to you today as a proud board member to affirm this statement. The Foundation believes that Black Lives Matter, and we are committed to improving the lives of Black people within this country by building and nurturing relationships with our grantees and vendors who will support us in our effort to bring equality, equity and justice for all.

Sincerely,

Antonio C. Williams
Nelson Foundation Board Member