Achieve Brown County Pillar: Shared Community Vision, Evidence-Based Decision Making
Achieve Brown County Partner Author: Daisie Mathias, Achieve Brown County Backbone Team
On Friday, November 15, 2024, I had the privilege of attending the “Culturally Responsive Conversations: Supporting Black Youth with Trauma Exposure” summit facilitated by Achieve Brown County Collective Impact Partner, Lovin’ the Skin I’m In. It was a morning filled with impactful discussions, eye-opening statistics, and actionable strategies aimed at addressing the trauma faced by Black youth and finding ways to support them effectively.
Shedding Light on the Reality of Trauma
The summit highlighted some hard truths about the unique challenges Black youth face:
- Black youth are 3.6 times more likely to experience trauma compared to their white peers.
- They are 2.5 times more likely to experience PTSD resulting from racial prejudice.
- Wisconsin holds one of the highest school suspension rates for Black students, with Black students being six times more likely to be suspended than white students.
- While youth arrests have decreased with more police presence in schools, the incarceration rate for Black and Brown youth has risen.
These statistics reflect systemic inequities that perpetuate cycles of trauma, making it clear that this is not just a problem for individual families or schools—it’s a societal issue that requires collective action.
What We Can Do to Support BIPOC Youth
The summit presenters emphasized that even small actions can have a meaningful impact. They shared several best practices for supporting Black youth experiencing trauma:
- When they share, believe them. Listening without judgment or skepticism is crucial in building trust.
- Recognize our limitations. None of us can do it all, and that’s okay. What matters is showing up and doing what we can.
- Let their voices be heard. Giving youth the opportunity to speak for themselves fosters empowerment and belonging.
A Personal Takeaway
For me, the biggest lesson from this summit was the reminder that everyone has a role to play in supporting Black youth. You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is simply show up, listen, and demonstrate that you care.
Moving Forward
As I reflect on the summit, I am reminded of Achieve Brown County’s mission to foster collective impact and create systemic change. We know that the race you are born directly affects your statistics on your educational attainment and economic mobility as an adult. Addressing the inequities faced by Black youth aligns closely with our efforts to build a stronger, more equitable community.
This summit reinforced the importance of being culturally responsive and intentional in our actions. Let’s continue to educate ourselves, challenge the status quo, and take steps—big and small—toward a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.