February 2022

Centering Black Culture & Black Minds during February - and every month

In previous years, our staff gathered in the Bronx during Black History Month to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments, unique cultural contributions, and history of African Americans and Africans throughout the diaspora.

In previous years, our staff gathered in the Bronx during Black History Month to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments, unique cultural contributions, and history of African Americans and Africans throughout the diaspora. Since the pandemic, we have not been able to gather physically, but we have strengthened a home-grown February tradition of sharing daily stories and histories of Black people. We call these stories “Actual Factuals.”
I have awakened each morning of this month looking forward to reading a new Actual Factual. When I realized that I had only heard of three of the people/stories that were shared, I was reminded of how far we have to go to have an equitable and truth-telling educational system. Please join us in centering and celebrating stories of Black culture and Black minds during February - and every month.
Monica Tolliver, Assistant to the President & CEO, leads this year’s effort to share twenty-eight stories of the African experience. Monica explained that “our history is not just the period from enslavement to the election of Barack Obama and our history is not just here in the US.” Each day, Osborne staff receive these gifts of information and insight that Monica has curated for us. We appreciate her deeply, and also send our gratitude to Andrea Goupalsingh, Director of Court Advocacy Services, for her musical celebration of Bob Marley and to Laura Roan, Program Director, for her reflection on the recently departed bell hooks. Special thanks to Tamara Scretching, Development Associate, who began the Actual Factuals tradition in 2020.
Our Race Equity Core Team is intentionally and accountably building an Osborne that welcomes and supports LGBTQIA people and those who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Join us in our work to build a justice system that promotes healing, safety, accountability, and real opportunities to thrive.


Elizabeth Gaynes,
President & CEO

Osborne welcomes and supports LGBTQIA people and those who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Learn more.

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