Our Statement on the Death of George Floyd
June 11, 2020
Acknowledging that words alone right now are far from enough, Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging shares the heartbreak and outrage at the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and recognizes the systemic injustices that communities of color continue to face each day.
In these times, we seek to raise up the voices and wisdom of diverse elders and join leaders and organizations demanding comprehensive changes. Today presents us with an opportunity, as protesters fight for justice in our state. Guided by sage counsel from the Minnesota Diverse Elders Coalition and our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, we are called on as community leaders to be more than just sad or troubled – we are called to take action.
We recommit to engaging with each other and with our communities to advance meaningful and positive social change. We will lean into difficult discussions and get comfortable being uncomfortable. We will create spaces to hear and support those most impacted by these traumas. We will amplify the voices of diverse older adults and caregivers. We will assist community leaders to help deconstruct institutions of racism. We will engage in anti-racist efforts that tangibly improve our members and state.
There is no quick fix to resolve more than 400 years of systemic racism, and without these past-due changes we are all diminished. Wherever you are in this journey, we invite you to join efforts to renew our shared commitment to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Only by working together can we achieve our mission of creating communities and systems that support aging with dignity and a spirit of well-being in Minnesota.
Adam Suomala
Diversity I Equity I Inclusion
Executive Director
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging
Will Phillips
Executive Director
AARP Minnesota
Mollie O’Brien
Chief Strategy Officer
Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota
Nona Ferguson
Vice President, Economic Stability and Aging Services
Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
Patti Cullen
President and CEO
Care Providers of Minnesota
Patricia McArdle
Director of Aging and Disability Services
Catholic Charities
Roxana Linares
Executive Director
Centro Tyrone Guzman
Ann Bailey
President and CEO
DARTS
Kristine Martin
President and CEO
East Side Neighborhood Services
Beth Wiggins
Director of Caregiving and Aging Services
FamilyMeans
Jonathan Palmer
Executive Director
Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Inc.
Chris Kellogg
Director of Aging Services
Jewish Family Service of St. Paul
Phil Duran
Director of Advocacy and Research
JustUs Health
Mary McKeown
President and CEO
Keystone Community Services
Sunny Chanthanouvong
Executive Director
Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota
Gayle Kvenvold
President and CEO
LeadingAge Minnesota
James Falvey
Executive Director
Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly
Mary Quirk
Executive Director
Living at Home Network
Patrick Thueson
Chief Executive Officer
Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota
Patrick Rowan
Executive Director
Metro Meals on Wheels
Jarrod Peterson
Public Policy Committee Chair
Minneapolis Area Senior Workers Association
Dawn Simonson
Executive Director, MAAA
Minnesota Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Terri McCarthy
Geriatrician
Minnesota Association of Geriatrics Inspired Clinicians
Loudi Rivamonte
President
Minnesota Association of Senior Services
Amanda Vickstrom
Executive Director
Minnesota Elder Justice Center
Tom Hyder
Executive Director
Minnesota Gerontological Society
Jessica Hausauer
Executive Director
Minnesota Network of Hospice and Palliative Care
Jarrod Peterson
Vice President and Public Policy Committee Chair
St. Paul Senior Workers Association
Deb Taylor
Chief Executive Officer
Senior Community Services
Jane Pederson
Chief Medical Quality Officer
Stratis Health
Joe Gaugler
Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in LTC and Aging
University of Minnesota Center on Aging
Kate Grathwol
President and CEO
Vision Loss Resources
Mark Skeie
Executive Director
Vital Aging Network
Julie Manworren
President and CEO
Volunteers of America – Minnesota and Wisconsin