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
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 



Diversity I Equity I Inclusion
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