Black History in Focus
DESIGNING A SYSTEM THAT HONORs AND EMBRACES THE BLACK COMMUNITY
Black History Month is observed by individuals, families, communities, and organizations across the United States every February. For OCOF, Black History Month is a time to honor and celebrate the rich and complex history, experiences, strengths, and contributions of Black/African American individuals and groups within our community. It is also an opportunity to renew our focus on designing a system of care that fully embraces and effectively serves our Black community members.
IT STARTS HERE
Black and African Americans have faced a long, fraught, ongoing struggle for freedom and equality. These individual and collective experiences continue to shape the daily lives of Black and African American youth, families, and communities in the Heart of Texas (and beyond). Developing a fuller understanding of the historical and present-day context that shapes the lived experiences, values, strengths, and needs of the Black community is foundational to our ability to design systems that provide meaningful, effective, culturally responsive support to Black and African American youth and families. Throughout this month, we invite you to take action alongside us to honor and embrace the Black and African American community and build more effective systems of care.
GET LEARNING
Developing a fuller understanding of Black history is a forever process. No matter where you are in your individual exploration of the history, experiences, strengths, and contributions of Black and African Americans throughout our country’s history, there is always more to learn. If you aren’t sure where to start, we’ve curated a list of online resources for you to explore!
Black History Month (Article)| History.com
The Continuing Importance of Black History Month (Article) | National Museum of African American History & Culture
Black Pioneers in Mental Health (Article) | Mental Health America
Seeing White (Podcast) | Scene On Radio
Cultural & Linguistic Competence Podcast (Podcast) | Texas System of Care
Black Mental Health Alliance (Organization) | @bmhaofficial (Instagram)
Youth of Black Mental Health Alliance (Organization) | @youngblkmindsmatter (Instagram)
The Relationship Clinic (Local Organization) | @therelationshipclinic (Instagram)
GET CURIOUS
Whether you are a youth-serving professional, person with lived experience, or community member, you have the opportunity to meaningfully impact our system of care. This month, we invite you to get curious—observe the ways that our education, justice, healthcare, and child welfare organizations (and beyond) interact with the Black community.
ow could these critical parts of our community’s system of care more effectively honor the experiences, embrace the strengths, and meet the needs of Black and African American individuals, families, and groups? Taking a step back and noticing what is working well—and what could improve—is a critical first step toward meaningful change!
GET INVOLVED
Attending a local Black History Month event is a great way to get involved and build connections within your local community! Is your group or organization hosting a Black History Month event? OCOF would love to help spread the word. OCOF welcomes submissions for community events, resource fairs, trainings, and other opportunities that align with our mission of building a stronger, more connected community. Use the Community Partner Update Form to submit your event details. Once reviewed, approved events will be added to our calendar.
OUR VISION FOR OUR COMMUNITY
OCOF envisions a community where every child, youth and young adult is healthy, connected and thriving. We know that health, connection, and thriving are defined within the context of individual and community experiences, values, and strengths. We are committed—this Black History Month and always—to continuing to deepen and broaden our understanding of the unique strengths, challenges, and opportunities of Black and African American children, youth, young adults, and their families across the Heart of Texas in order to create a system of care that serves them with compassion and excellence.
