The death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis in May 2020 has sparked intense conversations about systemic racism in the United States. As protests continue throughout the country and groups continue to push for political, economic, and social changes, many have begun to examine how the status quo contributes to racism and what can be done to better understand, address and repair its impacts.

Mental health professionals and organizations occupy a distinct space in this conversation, having an unparalleled opportunity to understand and help individuals affected by systemic racism. The Training Institute for Mental Health (TI), as with many in the psychological community, are seeking ways to use this position in the best possible way so as to be an ally in this fight. As TI's newly named Executive Director, Fred Aiese, states: "Racism is born of intergenerational transmission of trauma on the micro and macro levels. Acts of overt and covert racism are passed down and encoded from generation to generation. It is incumbent upon us as mental health providers to know this history and be constantly aware of and willing to change our knowledge gaps and biases. Lack of awareness begets enactment."

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