To the Suncoast Community, 

 

The past days and weeks have, once again, shone a spotlight on the tremendous injustices in our society. We stand in solidarity with our communities who are voicing their anguish, anger, and deep frustration with systems that oppress and devalue Black lives. We stand against police brutality in all forms. We stand against a criminal justice system that disproportionately targets Black Americans. We stand against the widespread disenfranchisement of Black and Brown communities whose voices are silenced at the polls. Allyship with Black communities is as much a moral imperative as a requirement of our organization.

 

We can’t fight for LGBTQ+ rights if we don’t also fight for the empowerment of our black communities. We must protect Black lives everywhere. We must stand up specifically for Black women. We must stand with Black mothers and fathers who fear for their Black children’s lives.

 

Black Lives Matter is the civil rights movement of our time, because it addresses a fundamental inequality in our society: that Black lives are too often undervalued. We also believe that it’s critical to provide support to organizations working tirelessly for criminal justice reform and those that assist Black-led institutions. That’s why today we are announcing Project PRIDE’s donation of 50% of Taste of Pride funds to Black Lives Matter Sarasota-Manatee Division.

 

Project Pride is built on a belief that communities have the power to change the status quo. Change is hard-fought, and we are committed to this fight.