ALT Hands On stands in Solidarity with the BLM movement, especially with the Black Deaf/DeafBlind community & Interpreters of Color in condemning systemic racism. I’ve been taking the time to reflect on how we can respond in words and actions to the current events in our country and the chronic and systemic racism that caused them to happen. But silence is complicity and I cannot stay silent any longer. We are a small organization, but as its Executive Director I recognize that as a white hearing woman, my own privilege has led me to participate in the unjust and harmful systems at work in our country. As one of Hands On’s founders and current leader, I commit our organization to: · LISTEN, LEARN, UNDERSTAND & DISCUSS difficult issues of racism; · To be more equitable and accessible to the Black Deaf/DeafBlind and Black Interpreter communities; · Create more opportunities for the Black Interpreter community through mentorship, outreach, & representation in the arts community