This week, Our House welcomed students back to our Atlanta and Decatur campuses. While excited to hear their little voices in the classrooms again, I cannot ignore the deeper conversations going on in our nation today. I recognize that injustices against black humans — more recently Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd — are part of a reality that has plagued our nation for too many years. Its effects have been passed down from generation to generation, seeping its way into the fiber of every part of our communities, and inflicting pain, trauma and despair on our children and families.

I want to change this narrative. As a provider of early childhood education, I know that the early years are most important for a child’s growth and development. Biases against humans are not something we are born with and it pains me to think the future for children we serve is anything less than bright. Children like Jamon, a Decatur preschooler who has worked hard and attended every Zoom class held by his teacher during the COVID-19 pandemic, deserve a bright future filled with all that is good in the world.

I also think of the parents of our children. Chanel is a single mother of four who recently completed her Associates in Healthcare Management and is starting her Bachelors in Business Administration this summer. She’s working hard to provide a better future for herself and her family. While in school, she’s learning how to navigate business. At home, she’s teaching her children how to navigate racism.

As part of our efforts to effect change, Our House will commit to working with our families, partners and supporters to lead the collective action to make our community safe for all humans. We will partner with families to share resources that deepen one’s understanding of race, human rights, social justice and activism. We will also strengthen relationships with partners to provide families we serve, staff and supporters access to health professionals that guide them through the mental and physical effects of injustices against humans. Finally, we will provide more opportunities for the community to connect with one another through our work and shared values. Despite the ongoing pandemic and social distancing guidelines, we recognize humans need healthy ways to engage, be better allies for one another and build an inclusive community for our children to grow in.

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” As President and CEO of Our House, I want to end this message by saying thank you to our Board of Directors who’ve reached out to express concern and support for how we can move forward. We are committed to using our platform to amplify the truth and voices of black lives, because they matter. Without open dialogue of how to overcome biases against humans because of the color of their skin, we will never be able to heal other diseases that plague our communities. We hope that you will join us in having these courageous conversations and making our communities better for all humans.

Tyese L. Lawyer
President and CEO