By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The black community and their white allies in Bowling Green are determined to turn the current emotions into some concrete change.
So they have created an organization called BRAVE – Black Rights Activism, Visibility, Equity.
The newly created non-profit group will focus on creating change in local government, supporting black businesses, and creating cultural events for the black community.
To discuss the creation of BRAVE, the organizers met in the same place on Wooster Green where they gathered before – first for the Black Lives Matter peaceful protest following the murder of George Floyd, then again for a Juneteenth celebration.
Organizers of BRAVE are intent on making the most of this moment in history.
“We saw a gap in the community,” said one of the organizers, Anthony King. “We don’t feel black people have an outlet to be black.”
The group wants to work for change in local government and have a place at the table when policing policies are discussed. Members plan to attend City Council meetings and play bigger roles in the Not In Our Town BG organization.
“We’re working with police to make sure people feel not only safe, but welcome,” Atonn Smeltzer said.
The organization wants to work with local schools on the development of an educational component on people of color. The members would like to see the group support black-owned businesses in the community.
They want BRAVE to partner with community organizations, churches and schools, and provide more events where black people feel comfortable.
And the organization will push for people of color to get out and vote.
In addition to King and Smeltzer, the board of directors for BRAVE includes P.J. Chambers, Kayla Jones, Lindsay Durham, Elijah McKnight, Keisha Merriweather, Corniyah McKinney and Bryce Walker-Ollins.
“We’ve got a lot to do,” Jones said.
And now is the time to do it, they agreed.
“People are listening,” Chambers said. “We will create change. We will have justice.”
“We can’t let the energy die down again,” Dunham said.
“We won’t be silenced,” Jones said.
King and Smeltzer talked about their plans for BRAVE during last week’s Not In Our Town BG meeting.
“That sounds like the best concrete way of moving forward on some issues that have been a curse,” said NIOT member Gary Saunders.
BRAVE won’t be alone, since members are reaching out to organizations like LaConexion, mental health groups, churches and schools for support.
The mission statement of BRAVE is: “We are a Black Initiative non-profit focused on creating real change in local government policy. This change will fight systemic racism, and help to create resources and opportunities for Black People to succeed in education and business. We also strive to create inclusive environments for Black People to freely embrace their culture.”
Anyone wanting more information or to get involved may contact antking@bgsu.edu or atonnsmeltzer@gmail.com.
White community members are encouraged to join the effort.
“A lot of people are stressed, and they don’t know what to do,” Smeltzer said. This organization will help white people be part of the solution against systemic racism, he said.
“We have white allies to walk with us,” King said.
More about the BRAVE organization can be found at https://www.facebook.com/bgbrave. A GoFundMe page has been set up at https://gf.me/u/yb5jza.
