It's Been Too Long

Greg Hedgepeth, Editor-in-Chief 2020

Dear Substantial Community,

It’s been too long since I’ve had the chance to write to you from the pages of an issue, and I’ve missed it. I’ve missed being able to highlight the amazing stories of every day, ordinary people doing extraordinary things in and for our community. Now more than ever we have to find real and meaningful ways to amplify our voices and lift up our work and I know in my heart this is the purpose of Substantial. We exist to share with the world just how Substantial the minority community is and we’re excited to get back to work! 

As I sit in the comfort and safety of my home I wonder how we got here. How have we come to this very moment in time? If you’re reading this, I’m almost certain this same thought has entered your mind as well, as we deal with two very real issues, challenges and downright deadly viruses that continue to impact our communities. I’m sure that has entered your mind seeing it play out the way it has in the media and across the world. And again, I can only ask myself “How did we get here?”. 

The first of these two viruses that I will lightly touch on and give you the chance to hear more about throughout this special issue and relaunch of Substantial Magazine is just as real, silent and deadly as the one that has long plagued our communities. The first is the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This pandemic hit so hard and so fast that it has paused the very way we used to do life. The second is the systemic racism that has long divided us as a nation and created so many disparities within our very communities. 

I’ll address the first deadly virus. I went back and did a little research and the first cases, or clusters, of the novel coronavirus were identified back in December of 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province. Fast forward to June 2020 and the World Health Organization has reported 7,410,510 cases, 418,294 confirmed deaths and 216 countries/territories affected. As we move into the later part of 2020, we are still dealing with this pandemic. It’s surreal to me to believe that we are living in a time that has stopped the world from moving to some degree. 

COVID-19 is single handedly responsible for the pause of every major sport, the closing of schools, universities, small- and large-scale businesses, the rapid decline of a once booming economy, overwhelming unemployment numbers, and if that’s not enough it has recently caused a division amongst Americans as it relates to how and when we should reopen and resume life as we once knew it. 

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the minority community and shined light on years of disparities that we knew existed and have been slow to find solutions for. This pandemic made us pause, slow down and reassess that which was necessary and that which could be adaptive. Businesses quickly pivoted to become more agile, digital communication increased tenfold and work, education and daycare from-home became the new normal. 

As states implemented stay-at-home orders to flatten curves and slow the spread, we saw stories of overflowing hospitals, limited testing, deaths, uncertainty and the sharing of inaccurate information and conspiracies. But we also saw stories of communities coming together and people pitching in to ensure that we all found a new sense of normal during this time. 

We’ve been dealing with this pandemic for the better part of 2020, and while I could go on and on about COVID-19 I think the most important notes for me are as follows; We have yet to find a cure and truly understand how it spreads and how to reintroduce ourselves back into society. So I ask you, how did we get here? 

NOW PAUSE AND SAY THE FOLLOWING NAMES 

Rayshard Brooks - Eric Garner - John Crawford III - Michael Brown - Ezell Ford - Dante Parker - Michelle Cusseaux - Laquan McDonald - George Mann - Tanisha Anderson - Akai Gurley - Tamir Rice - Rumain Brisbon - Jerame Reid - Matthew Ajibade - Frank Smart - Natasha McKenna - Tony Robinson - Anthony Hill - Mya Hall - Phillip White - Eric Harris - Walter Scott - William Chapman II - Alexia Christian - Brendon Glenn - Victor Manuel Larosa - Jonathan Sanders - Freddie Blue - Joseph Mann - Salvado Ellswood - Sandra Bland - Albert Joseph Davis - Darrius Stewart - Billy Ray Davis - Samuel Dubose - Michael Sabbie - Brian Keith Day - Christian Taylor - Troy Robinson - Asshams Pharoah Manley - Felix Kumi - Keith Harrison Mcleod - Junior Prosper - Lamontez Jones - Paterson Brown - Dominic Hutchinson - Anthony Ashford - Alonzo Smith - Tryee Crawford - India Kager - La’Vante Biggs - Michael Lee Marshall - Jamar Clark - Richard Perkins - Nathaniel Harris Pickett - Benni Lee Tignor - Miguel Espinal - Michael Noel - Kevin Matthews - Bettie Jones - Quintonio Legrier - Keith Childress Jr. - Janet Wilson - Randy Nelson - Antronie Scott - Wendell Celestine - David Joseph - Calin Roquemore - Dyzhawn Perkins - Christopher Davis - Marco Loud - Peter Gaines - Torrey Robinson - Darius Robinson - Kevin Hicks - Mary Truxillo - Demarcus Semer - Willie Tillman - Terril Thomas - Sylville Smith - Alton Sterling - Philando Castile - Terence Crutcher - Paul O’Neal - Alteria Woods - Jordan Edwards - Aaron Bailey - Ronell Foster - Stephon Clark - Antwon Rose II - Botham Jean - Pamela Turner - Dominique Clayton - Atatiana Jefferson - Christopher Whitfield - Christopher McCorvey - Eric Reason - Michael Lorenzo Dean - Breonna Taylor - George Floyd - Auhmad Aubrey. 

At what point did you get tired of reading, or skipped down to the very last name to save time? Did you honestly pause and say each of those names aloud? Those names-though not a full comprehensive list by any means- are the names of black men and women who have lost their lives at the hands of police and whose families have suffered due to the inequities brought about from racism, prejudice and bias. 

Though not the smoothest of transitions to the second of those deadly viruses, I still believe it to be effective because as we watch the fallout from the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Auhmad Arbery we’re seeing something different. We’re seeing our nation, and people across the world begin to hear, stand up and speak out regarding the harsh realities that black people have faced in America long before the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter existed. 

For the past six years Substantial has politely said it and hinted at how important is was that we recognize it, but now it’s time we scream it from the mountain top and from every platform we can, that We Are Substantial— of considerable importance size and worth, strongly built and made- and so is our community, and our lives. 

We’ve devoted the second half of this issue and relaunch to amplifying the voices of those who marched and peacefully protested. We want to highlight the stories of those fighting for the change they wish to see in the world and talk about real solutions to address and find a cure for the real, silent and deadly virus known as systemic racism and oppression that has long plagued our black communities. 

We believe each and every person is an example of what defines our company and the word Substantial, and we are so excited that others believe it as well. Substantial Magazine is back, and honored to have the help and support of Donald Thompson and Walk West as we team up for specific efforts that will educate, inform and serve our communities. 

As we relaunch Substantial magazine, I’m also excited to pass the baton of Editor-in-Chief to a familiar face and long-time supporter Evelyne Del Billingslea. As Evelyne comes aboard as our full-time Editor-in-Chief she, as well as I know it is going to take each and every one of us, including you working together to show the world just how Substantial we are. 

Again, as I sit on my patio in the comfort and safety of my home after asking myself the question, I had to go and seek the answers. The collection of thoughts, voices and faces that you will see throughout this issue come from a collective of people asking themselves the very same question. Those people like me, and like many of us, not only want answers, we want action and we’re coming to the table with solutions. 

How did we get here? And more importantly, where do we go from here?