A Statement by our CEO

By Michael E. Howard, Chief Executive Officer
Following George Floyd’s death, I struggled both personally and professionally with an appropriate response.  Anything I do or say feels inadequate, yet I feel as though I have a responsibility to speak.

Let me start with a simple statement, black lives matter. Mr. Floyd’s death and the seemingly endless parade of other black lives taken in America is horrific and my heart breaks for their families and friends. I mourn with those families at the senseless loss of life and I am saddened by our country’s failure to live up to its professed ideals.

At YouthBridge Community Foundation we work to help create a community where all children have the opportunity to become healthy, productive adults. Clearly there remains a lot of work to be done in pursuit of that vision but we are committed to it. I recognize that we have fallen short in understanding the depths of racism and systemic bias which so profoundly impacts people of color and I am committed to doing better.

Yet in spite of the heartaches and seemingly endless challenges, I remain optimistic because I believe in the collective power of love and light.

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” ~Martin Luther King Jr

June 12, 2020 update:
YouthBridge Community Foundation is honored and excited to be a part of the Racial Healing Fund collaborative.