REFLECTIONS

From Members Of The Truth And Reconciliation Committee

I still remember when I received the call to join the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. I had a full plate, but I committed to this work to help Williamsburg live up to its potential of becoming a leader in racial healing, racial equity and racial reconciliation. I am honored to have participated with this fine group of community leaders.

I love these people. I learned something every time we met. Everyone needs to do this work.

I quickly realized after a few meetings this work is more than a committee. It became a charge to respect the lived experiences, advocate and understand our journeys, and create healthy hope, conversations, and bridges to our collective tomorrows ... and this includes the relationships built within the committee itself.

I wish everyone could hear the stories we’ve heard, talk openly about race with people from different backgrounds, and collaborate together to figure out how to make things better – how to heal the hurt and repair the harm, how to undo the pernicious inequities, how to build a genuinely more just and joyful Williamsburg for everyone.

Working tirelessly alongside a diverse group of courageous local leaders to center the narratives of Williamsburg’s Black communities has not only been an honor and privilege, but also a remarkable learning journey.