Improving the military experience for families of color is the goal of this new initiative
The committee behind this initiative is comprised of other military spouses and retired high-ranking military officials of color. (Pfc. Hubert D. Delany III/Army)
Blue Star Families has rolled out a new initiative to bolster racial equity for service members and families of color within the military community.
The nonprofit organization announced its new Racial Equity Initiative, which will focus on research and advocacy, as well as training leaders and collaborating with outside partners “to ensure that our country meets its obligation to deliver positive, fulfilling experiences to all families who serve.”
“The recent and intense period of racial reckoning in 2020 has opened many eyes to the systemic racism long present in the United States,” Ingrid Herrera-Yee, a military spouse and mental health specialist who serves on committee for this $1 million initiative, said during a livestream event Wednesday. “Moreover it has opened many eyes to the reality that the military community is not immune to the injustices and injuries of this systemic racism.”
Military families of color are more likely to experience financial distress and less likely to hear about support and resources, and the leaders of the military and veteran organizations that serve these families are disproportionately white, she said, pointing to past Blue Star Families research conducted in 2019.
The committee behind this initiative, comprised of other military spouses and retired high-ranking military officials of color, has been meeting since the summer.
One major part of this work includes a new Blue Star Families one-year fellowship program starting in April that will train a racially diverse cohort of leaders for organizations serving the military and veteran communities.
Training will focus on “improving the experiences and increasing the representation of military families of color in community settings across the country,” according to the Blue Star Families website.
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