Whats up. I’m Breonna however I’m going by Bree.
I’m a 26-year-old gross sales coordinate at Montvale Impartial Residing. I additionally function co-chair of the Schooling Process Power in addition to the Financial Disparities and Service Accessibility committee below the Massey Fee. My ardour lies in advocating for many who want a voice – making certain that everybody has entry to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
From an early age I’ve been taught to talk up for what is correct, even when I’m standing alone. Rising up on the east facet of city, I noticed firsthand the disparities between my group and the alternatives my pals on different sides of city loved.
Earlier than even beginning college, I had troublesome conversations with my household about race and equality. Being the one particular person of shade in a white household, my mom ready me to navigate adversity and struggle for respect. She taught me to be unapologetically loud and declare my identification, instilling in me a perception that not solely do I deserve rights to success and happiness, however so does everybody else.
I used to be in seventh grade when Trayvon Martin was killed. At that age, it was so onerous to conceptualize the magnitude of the entire incident. This had planted a seed of ardour for justice. The next 12 months, I researched Emmett Until for an essay and the puzzle items began to return collectively. Racism wasn’t only a historical past lesson, however nonetheless a obtrusive subject that impacts most individuals’s lives at the moment. The older I received, extra egregious examples of racism began trending and I knew I needed to be a part of the change.
After the loss of life of George Floyd, I started attending protests. I used to be working on the Boys & Ladies Membership on the time and had found one other ardour of mine – kids and their future. This was after I realized my passions weren’t so distant in relation in any case. Each time I may, I might have interaction in age-appropriate conversations about injustices.
To repair systematic points, we have to contain kids in these conversations. We should perceive that they’re able to advanced conversations. It’s time to see them not as passive bystanders however as future leaders with helpful concepts and views. We should begin by addressing their college life, their house lives and the way we will higher set them up for fulfillment. My curiosity within the school-to-prison pipeline and having grown up experiencing disparities places me in a novel place to be a optimistic advocate for kids and to face up for his or her proper to respect.
I plan to make use of my position on the Schooling Process Power to introduce progressive concepts that bridge the hole between mother and father, kids and faculties. I wish to deal with matters others might draw back from, and, on the very least, plant seeds of change within the thoughts of future leaders. If sharing my story or experiences makes even one little one or particular person really feel seen, I’ll have fulfilled my goal.
If you’re excited about getting concerned with Religion Coalition’s Schooling Fairness Process Power, be a part of us on the primary Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Our assembly is situated at Calvary MB Church. Be part of Religion Coalition for the Widespread Good on Feb. 21, 2025, on the Transformational Justice Expo. We will likely be partnering with Land of Lincoln Authorized Help on expungement and sealing of data. The Secretary of State’s Cellular DMV will likely be current as properly for license renewals and IDs.
Breonna Roberts is the co-chair of Religion Coalition’s Academic Fairness Process drive and a group activist. When you have any questions or need extra info on easy methods to become involved, e mail [email protected] or go to https://faithcoalition-il.org/.
