Feb 09, 2024

February is Black History Month and we’re celebrating by amplifying Black voices, celebrating Black pioneers in animal welfare, and exploring the ways our community is honoring this month. And we want our APA! community to join in with us on learning something new and honoring the deep and rich Black history so that we may continue to move toward a more equitable future.

We’ll update this blog throughout the month so bookmark this page and make sure to check back in to see new ways you can participate in Black History Month!

• Follow our social media! Each week, we’ll post about a Black pioneer in animal welfare.

• Check out Do512’s calendar highlighting opportunities to engage with and maybe learn something new about Black history.

• Support Black-owned businesses! Check out Black Makers Market (and give their social media a follow) and Do512’s list of Black Owned Businesses here.

• Listen to Human Animal Support Service’s podcast, People, Pets, and Purpose hosted by Diaz Dixon, Maddie’s® Advisor for External Affairs and Partnerships.

  • This episode interviews Kassidi Jones, a young Black woman who has a wildly popular Instagram account where she shares observations and insights to help move racism out of the pet community.

And this episode interviews Vincent Medley who serves as the Maddie’s® Director of Human Animal Support Services. He speaks to his over 20 years of serving in the animal welfare space, giving an honest recount of his observations of systematic injustices and the steps he’s taken to make those changes.

Source: Austin Pets Alive