The work of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA) is embodied by a small and diverse staff. We hail from differing backgrounds, and many of us come to the table with our own artistic practice. Together, we care for and empower the energy of the Baltimore arts sector as we make the effort to amplify the voice of the community-at-large. Consequently, the uncanny truism is that we are a cohort of familiarity. For this reason, I am compelled to write the following update about Lauren Saunders, former GBCA staff member.
On Saturday, October 27th, a man armed with a semiautomatic assault-style rifle stormed the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and shot worshipers during Shabbat services, killing 11 and wounding six in the deadliest attack on Jews in the history of the United States.
Lauren Saunders is safe. She is living in Pittsburgh. Her religious community, as well as her school community where she is matriculating to receive a master’s degree, have been deeply affected by the recent horrific shooting there. This is her recent Facebook post.
https://www.facebook.com/41402108/posts/10100127393724165/
Lauren was employed as a trusted and valued staff member of the GBCA team for five years. During that time, her work within the office space, as well as, from behind the scenes, was diligent and deep-diving. Among other tasks, Lauren was the Program Assistant for Urban Arts Leadership, and as my assistant, she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me, understanding the vision that I inherited and working with me to carve a light of understanding through a dark tunnel of inequity. I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that she is safe.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/27/pittsburgh-police-responding-active-shooting-squirrel-hill-area/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.d0a7a7358221
Last Call! Final Day!
Applications to become an Urban Arts Leadership Host Organization will close tomorrow. The deadline is October 31, 2018. For more information:
www.baltimoreculture.org/UAL
