“The Y doesn’t shy away from Blackness. The Y encourages hard conversations that our community needs to have, they have put themselves at the center of the storm. I can speak my truth and my politics at Friday Forum. As a left-of-center, African-centered, pro-Black progressive, Y staff have given me space to articulate my voice and vision. They have been strong friends and allies; they make sure my Church has been given respect and brought me in community with folks with which I have the same values. I build bridges to build community, alliances, and to bring people together. I am not building bridges to understand, I am building bridges to make movement and be a change agent.”