A Message from Our Executive Director:


Greetings COAACC Community, 


Forgive the delayed conveyance of this message, as well as its length. As a Black woman leading two Black centered and focused organizations, I personally am struggling with the variety of emotions this election has brought up in me. But this keeps popping up in my mind: "Should an emergency situation occur, you need to put your own oxygen mask on first, before attempting to help those around you."


As an everyday advocate and an everyday fighter for equal rights and equal treatment under the law, I feel this one in my spirit. I cannot and will not move forward without saying that - I feel a certain weariness in my spirit that is literally debilitating. This note has been difficult to write. 


I continue to come to the following conclusion because I'm angry: I don't want to hear us telling each other to take a second or a day and get back to work. We've BEEN AT WORK. 


As a leader, I take this moment to speak to all Black leaders of business, community and households - Take every moment you need to decompress. I plead with you to find spaces where you can be your authentic self. 


Be with your kinfolk - whomever that may be. Do not be goaded into conversations you do not want to have, do not feel like you have to be there for anyone other than yourself and your family. 


Catch your breath, feed your body, feed your soul. We all, including us everyday advocates, need the same grace. As Audre Lorde said, "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it's self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare."


Take the time you need. This 405 year marathon towards being seen as full citizens in a place that we literally built is the most obnoxious, long-term relay race that any people anywhere have been forced to run. 


Give yourself grace and space to process the realities of your place in this country. Don't feel beholden to promote our resilience or power to endure. As a people under assault for FOUR CENTURIES years, we know that about ourselves.


There is, simply stated, a pronounced problem in this country. This is not new. Perhaps what caught some people off guard is having to accept that this Country has never been "post-racial." Or, that we allowed ourselves to hope. Whether "toxic hope" or "cruel optimism," we didn't do what many other nations started doing months ago - we did not start planning for this outcome in a sufficient way. 

We did not steel our souls. We did not move towards institutionalizing the progress that has been made in legal or contractual ways. 


The overdetermination of conservative and frankly dangerous motives during this past election cycle will serve as a rallying cry for both sides for the rest of this century. And yes, lines have been drawn. It's irresponsible to believe that the assaults levied against DEI initiatives, Affirmative Action, bodily autonomy, and enfranchisement won't continue and/or be amplified by the next administration.

What I want us all to do right now, I want us all to identify and speak out about the things we're grieving and the things we're afraid to lose. Then I need us to work with policy makers, budget managers, contract holders, and each other to ensure the enshrining of an autonomous infrastructure. But, also know that we're all already mobilizing. And there's a place for all who demand better.


COAACC member NAMI Franklin County has assigned a counseling service to work with our members who would like to speak to with a counselor. We'll send the info via a members only check in.


We will have our next Membership Meeting on November 21 and we will be having 2 coffee chats leading up to inauguration. Keep an eye on our sites and your inbox for details.


Until then, don't be surprised or worried that you're not hearing much from me or our official channels. Members, we will be reaching out across various topics to engage you. Non-members reading this, join if you want to join us in this work.


Be well,

J. Averi Frost

Executive Director

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