Black Women in Leadership: Crystal Brookter, Nonprofit During COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter

It’s complicated to be a Black American in a leadership position at this time. My energy has been split in many directions, and while I’ve been feeling the urgent need to share a message with the Black to the Future community, I needed to take the time to process. Worrying about my brother and boyfriend’s safety when they take routine trips to the store and having to explain racism and the senseless police murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and David McAtee to my five-year-old daughter on top of the work and challenges of everyday life has left me feeling drained. 

But I’m keeping in mind the legacy of our ancestors, who persisted through almost unimaginable adversity, and I know that we must keep going. 

Even before this most recent string of tragedies, the work of being Black in America was tireless and tiring. As a Black woman, I have to temper my own passion in the work I do to avoid being perceived as aggressive or labeled an “angry Black woman.” When my daughter displays age-appropriate “bad behavior” at school, I have to try to remain calm as the teachers jump to insulting and racist conclusions, asking what’s going on at home or assuming that her father isn’t in the picture. From these so-called “microaggressions” to the anti-Black violence that threatens our lives and the lives of our loved ones, enough is enough. 

We at Black to the Future are not only committed to providing quality cultural services; we are committed to insisting on real change. Just like the beautiful Black communities we partner with and serve, we are tired of prematurely losing countless Black lives because of racism and state violence.  

I want you to know that we are here and we stand with you in the fight for change. Despite the painful realities we’re faced with in these times, we continue to be hopeful about the future we can create together. 

As a reminder, we offer supports in health and wellness, violence prevention, family support and advocacy, education, and workforce development [to San Franciscans]. If there’s a resource you’re seeking or a challenge you need support with, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Crystal Brookter serves as program manager for Young Community Developer’s Black to the Future collaborative in San Francisco, CA.