George Floyd. Reflections after a year.

A year after George Floyd’s death. Have we made progress?

We know it takes intentional work to unpack how we got here and to redesign new ways of doing, being, and belonging. In reflecting on the past year since George Floyd’s death, here’s what we know about this work.

1. To create Truly Inclusive cultures and communities, it requires relational work, not check-the-box workshops and staying at surface level. If you aren't digging deep, doing the head and heart work, and having raw conversations, you are performing, not transforming.

Truth Talk — I have a Bachelors in Social Work and this work has called to me since I was a little girl, yet I still get nervous and question whether I should opt out knowing the choice is a privilege. Every time I write, speak, or post something, it feels vulnerable and risky. Yet, I make a daily commitment to do the self work, gather perspective, and engage because I have a clear vision of the inclusive world I want to live in and know the depth of connection and belonging that comes from having authentic conversations and opening ourselves up to allow others in.

2. Inviting change means shedding old beliefs. Often times there is shame and grief that surfaces when we realize that what we think and do creates harm for others and ourselves. You will have uncomfortable feelings in this work and this is where many people opt out. But what if you opted in? How would you be different? How could this shift your community for the better?

3. Whether it’s today, this week, or whenever, set aside intentional time to reflect on the following. Do this with your family and with your teams and business.

• Individual Reflection: What progress have I made towards being an anti racist individual? In what ways have I opted out? In what ways have I opted in?

• Collective Reflection: What progress have we made as a family or business? In what ways have we opted out? In what ways have we opted in?

• Create Bold Action Steps: How might we create a culture of both support and accountability through open and honest conversation that is relationally transformative, not performative?

George Floyd’s death is a tragedy. It should never have happened. But it did and for whatever reason, it was a moment that shook people awake. We can’t fall asleep again.

At Truth Collective, we honor him. By opting in, not out. By supporting people in creating spaces for open and honest conversations so that we can all show up as our True Self and be fully seen and known. We long for a world where it is safe for all people to do so.

Brené Brown wrote it and I heard Michelle Obama speak it on her Becoming book tour: “People are hard to hate up close.” Let’s move toward one another, not away.