Love on Lorenzo Day

He is NOT a ni**er, he is NOT a monkey, his name is Lorenzo!  He is deserving of love, dignity, and respect.

We come to you with a message that resonates from my head and my heart.  It's a narrative that demands attention, action, and above all, empathy.

There is a young man named Lorenzo, a courageous 13-year-old student at Windsor Middle School.  For over a year, he and his family have endured relentless racial harassment.  Despite their unwavering resolve to uphold their identity and dignity, their journey has been met with indifference and silence from many in the school the district, and the community.

Lorenzo's experiences at school are harrowing:

1. He has been subjected to vile racial slurs like "nigger" and "monkey" by his peers, often in plain view of school staff, yet no action has been taken.
2. In the lunchroom, a teacher shamefully mimicked a monkey while interacting with Lorenzo, with no consequences.
3. His classmates perpetuate dehumanizing jokes, mocking his presence when the lights are turned off in class, (saying things like "Where did Lorenzo go?") eluding to his melanin complexion.  This causes an eruption of laughter by classmates leading to further humiliation.

He is NOT a nigger, he is NOT a monkey, his name is Lorenzo!  He is deserving of love, dignity, and respect.  His family should not have to endure the unjustified resilience that they have been subject to.  Yet, the lack of accountability has forced them to make the painful decision to leave their dream home and community.

Our organization, The Epitome of Black Excellence and Partnership, along with community leaders, stands firm in supporting Lorenzo and his family.  We are announcing "Love on Lorenzo" day on June 8th—an initiative to surround Lorenzo with the solidarity and care he deserves.

Here's our ask and how you can help:

1. Join us on June 8th (4 PM to 8 PM) at Boondocks for a day of support and normalcy for Lorenzo.  Anyone is welcome, and we do ask that you RSVP!  We invite families, especially those with children around Lorenzo’s age, to build a community of support.
2. We plan to sponsor the first 30 children, with each child's expenses estimated at $85, covering activities and meals at Boondocks (Northglenn).  As a modest non-profit, these costs exceed our current budget, prompting us to actively fundraise to meet these needs.  Your generous donations are crucial and greatly appreciated.  Please consider supporting this cause by donating here.  All contributions are tax-deductible, as we are a 501(c)3 organization.  Each gift will come with a receipt letter for tax purposes.
3. Elevate Lorenzo’s story.  Spread his narrative to encourage collective healing.  Utilize your platforms—be they social, spiritual, or other—to form a protective circle around his family and uplift them as they embark on what will continue to be a very long journey.

Lorenzo's story is not just his own; it's a reflection of our collective responsibility to stand against injustice.  Your support is not just appreciated; it's indispensable, and we would be honored to share with our entire community how we collectively step up to support Lorenzo and his family.  This is a harsh reality of our times and we believe that together, we can ensure that Lorenzo and his family know they are not alone.