“Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible.”
- Maya Angelou
Jess stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, the Black and Brown community and all who have experienced/are experiencing racism and injustice. The brutal murder of George Floyd is only one of many senseless killings, including the recent murders of Walter Wallace Jr, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, that have proven the existence of institutional and individual racism that infects our organizations and nation as a whole. The perpetuation of inequalities festers on with silence and inaction and is unacceptable. As an artist, teacher, friend and family member, Jess stands against police brutality and vows to be anti-racist, to encourage diversity, tolerance & empathy, to listen to, amplify & learn from the voices of those who have been/are silenced and oppressed, and to use this growing knowledge to shape the kinds of fundamental shifts required to dismantle racist acts and ideals. Jess protests against these injustices, she donates to organizations including but not limited to the Black Lives Matter Support Fund, Philadelphia Bail Fund, Philadelphia Community Bail Fund, & Matheta Dance for #MoveForBlackLives and other black-owned businesses, and she will continue using her voice to sign petitions, speak out against racism and VOTE.