Racism and inequity divide us. We are united with our API community in condemning racism and the death of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, and the many other Black Americans who tragically lost their lives to racial injustice. Racism, whether intentional or implicit, is immoral. It tears apart the fabric of American democracy. We, too, are in pain.

As an organization dedicated to equity and leadership, API Forward is committed to creating an environment that is safe and free from racism for Black, Indigenous and other people of color.

Today, we pledge to do everything we can to amplify Black voices, uplift the Black community, share resources, and be part of the solution. We are actively seeking ways to affect social changes and ask for your help.

We want to hear from YOU.

• How can we support each other?
• How can we support our black community?
• How can we build an anti-Black, anti-racism society together?
• What are some positive and constructive ways to create social change?

Share your thoughts and ideas with us. Let’s start a conversation that will lead to action. Email us at communications@apiforward.org.

In the meantime, if you are looking for organizations to support the local Black Lives Matter movement, here are some places to start. Each of our board members has committed to donating to one or more of these organizations.

• Black Resilience Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-black-resilience-fund
• Don’t Shoot Portland: https://www.dontshootpdx.org/about-us/
• Equitable Giving Circle: https://www.equitablegivingcircle.org/csaboxes/csa
• North by Northeast Community Health Center: https://nxneclinic.org/
• Black United Fund of Oregon: https://www.bufor.org/
• Black Parent Initiative: https://www.thebpi.org/

Here are also a few resources for Asians and Pacific Islanders to take action.

• The Southeast Asian anti-racist toolkit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_1iDMCyjpgMLPF7BGNwcwrwZQutkVjqFHXzfvfQCbYA/edit
• Asian American Advocacy Fund’s Asians for Black Lives: https://asianamericanadvocacyfund.org/asians-for-black-lives
  6 Ways Asian Americans Can Tackle Anti-Black Racism in Their Families: https://everydayfeminism.com/2016/01/asian-americans-tackle-anti-black-racism/
• 7 Ways Non-Black People of Color Perpetuate Anti-Blackness: https://thebodyisnotanapology.com/magazine/7-ways-non-black-poc-perpetuate-anti-blackness-in-their-communities/
• 75 Ways APIs are speaking out for Black lives: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/75-ways-asian-americans-pacific-islanders-are-speaking-out-black-n1230551

The Asian and Pacific Islander community would not be here today if it wasn’t for the civil rights movement led by the Black community. We challenge ourselves and encourage the API community to become educated and act in ways that protect the lives of Black people.

Thank you for taking the time and leaning in. Be well, be strong and be safe.

In solidarity,
API Forward Board of Directors