Dear Friends,
The past few weeks have elicited powerful emotions. On June 13, we recognized the 20th anniversary of the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate with a breakfast conversation with Ricky’s widow, Sherialyn. And, on Sunday, June 16, the race brought nearly 4,500 together to run, to walk, and to remember why we still race against hate.
The emotions around the race are deeply felt because twenty years have not diminished the horror of Ricky Byrdsong’s murder. And yet, to hear Sherialyn speak of how her neighbors – and the entire community – galvanized as a group in the face of hatred and terror reminded all of us that it is possible to move from “tragedy to victory.”
I am grateful to Sherialyn and the Byrdsong family and friends for having the unique vision of the Race Against Hate 20 years ago, and I’m grateful to all of you who supported this year’s milestone race by running, walking, volunteering, sponsoring, cheering, and participating in myriad ways. As Sherialyn said at our breakfast, the race truly is a “living demonstration of the power of love over hate.”
Karen Singer
President/CEO
