Spaces to play.
Sparks for change.

KABOOM! stands in support of nationwide calls for racial justice. We do not hesitate in saying that Black Lives Matter, and that Black Children Matter too.

Black Americans are facing two pandemics: COVID-19 and structural racism. The first emerged recently and is still poorly understood. The other was meticulously crafted over 400 years and is so woven into the fabric of our neighborhoods, our institutions, and our society that at times it feels impossible to imagine an America without it. Both are devastating Black communities, and both demand bold action.

We say Black Children Matter because childhood often looks radically different depending on your race, and that’s a reality that we cannot continue to accept.

Race predicts whether a kid gets access to the things that are needed to live a healthy, joyful life. This means, among other things, good schools, nutritious food, accessible parks and safe, high-quality spaces to play.

This is not new. We have known about racial disparities for generations, but they continue to persist. These disparities represent more than a lost opportunity or an uncomfortable truth. For Black Americans, they are quite literally deadly. This is unacceptable. We say the names of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake, and countless others, and we commit to listen, learn, evolve, and act.

We must do better. Our kids are watching.