Mourning the Death of Tyre Nichols

January 31, 2023?

Tyre Nichols should be alive today. He should be skateboarding and capturing beautiful photos of the sunset over Shelby Farms. No one should ever be subjected to such brutality and disregard for human life.?

We mourn the senseless murder of every unarmed Black and women at the hands of law enforcement. Each life lost serves as an indelible reminder of the structural, institutional, and systemic racism that continues to uphold white supremacy and devalues Black life. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Tyre Nichols and to all who knew and loved him.?

The racialized trauma caused by this violence is very real and shared by many within our community. Experiencing racialized trauma after trauma can take its toll on any person. We encourage you to take care of yourself and your loved ones during this time.?

We have provided a list of resources below to support you and your community during this time.?

With Love & Light,

Drin, Stevie & Whitney

TAKE CARE:

Healing in the Face of Trauma Tool Kit - This toolkit was created by the Community Healing Network and The Association of Black Psychologists as a resource in August 2016 after the killing of Alton Sterling and Philando Castille by law enforcement and the resulting community trauma experienced by Black people across the nation.???

Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective - This nonprofit collective is made up of advocates, artists, therapists, religious leaders, activists, psychologists, and others who are "committed to the emotional/mental health and healing of Black communities." BEAM's website includes details on trainings and events, resources that promote wellness, emotional regulation, and coping skills, and information on how to find a culturally competent therapist.

Emotional Emancipation Circles - Emotional emancipation circles are self-help groups "designed to help heal the trauma caused by anti-Black racism." EEC facilitators have been trained in dozens of cities across the U.S., including Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Baltimore. For more information about EEC training and participation, contact the Community Healing Network.?

Black Men Heal - Access to mental health treatment, psycho-education, and community resources to men of color.

When searching for a culturally competent therapist, try the following directories: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Association of Black Psychologists ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Inclusive Therapists? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? LGBTQ Psychotherapists of Color? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Psychology Today Directory of African American Therapists? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Clinicians of Color?

PROTECT YOURSELF ONLINE:?

TAKE ACTION:

Tyre Nichols Memorial Fund - Tyre’s mother created this fundraiser to cover the cost of the family’s mental health services and a memorial skate park in his honor.?

The National Museum of African American History and Culture—Talking About Race- Using the online portal, find ways to help families, individuals, and communities talk about racism and commit to being antiracist.

Movement for Black Lives—Week of Action - Find a concrete action you can take in support of Black lives every day of the week.

Black Lives Matter—Toolkits - Explore toolkits for individuals related to healing action, healing justice, conflict resolution, and more.

GET ENGAGED:

Black Futures Lab - The Black Futures Lab is an innovation and experimentation lab focused on new ways of engaging Black communities civically and building our capacity to be powerful in politics. We close the gap between our communities and the tools we need to build power.?

Live Free - Live Free is a racial justice network of thousands of organizers, faith leaders, directly impacted families and organizations working to reimagine public safety and preserve democracy. We organize communities directly impacted by gun violence, police violence and mass incarceration in order to build the necessary power and influence at the local, state, and federal levels to secure peace, justice and belonging for all.We have local chapters and partner organizations in 20 states and 70+ cities which include black and brown church denominations, congregations, violence prevention organizations and millennial movement organizations.

National Black Justice Coalition - Since 2003, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) has been America’s leading national civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+, and same gender loving (LGBTQ+/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS through coalition building, federal policy change, research, and education.

ACLU Louisiana - Since 1956, the ACLU of Louisiana has worked to advance and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States and the State of Louisiana.?