8123 IMPACT

 Official statement from 8123.

To the Black community within the 8123 family,

We want to start by saying we need to do better. We’ve always considered the 8123 Family to be inclusive, but we failed to take action when it was perhaps needed most. 

We don’t have the right words, the lived experiences, or the perspectives that our POC members of the community do. We want to be better allies, and to stand in solidarity with you. 

We want you to know that we’re here, and we’re listening. We hear you, and we appreciate that you have held us accountable. This should not be emotional labor thrust upon you. It is on us as people in a place of privilege, to spend the time to educate ourselves.

8123 is about community. In these times, we felt it was best to give the voices of our community to those that live in this reality a platform to share their thoughts on how to best support all of the Black community.

We want to highlight these individuals’ knowledge to empower change. Many of you have sent us your thoughts, concerns, and links on how to help. We recognize that George Floyd’s death is not a unique tragedy and is the direct result of the current state of our broken system. 

If you want to, we encourage you to continue to share your messages, thoughts, feelings, and ideas for ways that we and the 8123 Family together can support the black community.