“The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kind.” – Dalai Lama

Today is #BlackoutTuesday and I’m again reminded of the importance of building bridges to love, acceptance, empathy and understanding through storytelling.

As one of the first black families to live in a rural Mennonite community in the 1970s, I value shared cultural experiences and their power to transform perspectives and lives. Recent conversations with my Mennonite husband and mixed-raced children compel me to actively make a difference to live in a more peaceful and loving world.

The work we do at NSI is critical in amplifying the voices of underrepresented storytellers across our nation. By doing so, we build those bridges to greater understanding.

Now, more than ever, we need to hear each other’s stories.

Let’s take good care of each other.

Educational resources

• How to support Black Lives Matter (Time Out)
• Five ways to support Black Lives Matter (LA Times)
• Mental health issues facing the Black community

Where to donate

• The Loveland Foundation
• ACLU
• Reclaim the Block
• Minnesota Freedom Fund

Books

• 10 books about race (Refinery29)

Shows

• When They See Us (Netflix)
• Dear White People (Netflix)
• 13th (Netflix)
• Watchmen (Crave/HBO)
• I Am Not Your Negro (Amazon Prime)