As citizens in a non-profit organization serving West Michigan, we believe justice means accountability for our actions from our community, our leaders, and ourselves. The death of Breonna Taylor—a Grand Rapids native—demonstrates the need for this accountability. We stand with her family in their quest for justice and with the countless others who have been the targets of systemic racism and police brutality.
Grand Rapids Ballet denounces white supremacy in all its forms and pledges to do our part to end systemic racism in our community. Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is comprised of board members, staff, and dancers, and is committed to examining our efforts, seeking out all voices in our community, and creating actions to be a more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible cultural organization.
If you’d like to join us in voicing this strongly held belief — that Black lives matter — here are some excellent resources to help you engage. Thank you.
- • Donate to the official GoFundMe for Breonna Taylor, set up by her family. Though they’ve already far exceeded their goal of $500,000 (they’ve fundraised more than $6.7 million to date), every dollar raised in her honor counts.
- • Donate to the Louisville Community Bail Fund to help provide bail assistance for those who are unjustly arrested as they take to the streets to protest her death.
- • Donate to the Loveland Foundation, an organization that aims to prioritize access, opportunity, and validation for young Black women and girls across the country.
- • Visit JusticeForBreonna.org to see a list of more actions you can take. The website also lists demands for the city of Louisville, from dropping charges against Taylor’s boyfriend to eliminating no-knock warrants.
- • Learn more about the Black Lives Matter global movement.
