Hello, Bridge Town Church and those of you joining us online, my name is Bethany Allen.

Today we kick off Black History Month and we thought it would be fitting to hear

weekly from leaders of color within our community who are serving within the life of our church.

With that, I am so happy to introduce to you today Dr. D. D. D. D. D. as we affectionately

call her has been a gift and voice within our community that we both respect and admire.

She is a brilliant pediatrician, mother, leader, and a member of our racial justice committee.

I am certain you will be so blessed by what she has to share.

My name is D. D. D. D. D. and this is the Bridge Town Daily from Monday, the first of February.

As Bethany said, this is the beginning of February and Black History Month.

Black-American American History Month is a month set aside to reflect on 400 years of

the Black experience and to celebrate the achievements of Black men and women in our

central role in the history of the United States.

This year, as February rolls around, it feels different for so many reasons.

At the forefront, we have all been impacted by the pandemic and we have been confronted

by the evidence of ongoing systemic racism in our country over the last year and the

cry for justice.

During the pause of the pandemic, there was time to re-evaluate, to reflect, and recommit

to the things that really matter.

At the same time, the increased awareness of the racism woven into the culture of our

nation highlights the current struggle and the struggles of those who have gone before.

The product of my reflection is a profound gratitude for the everyday faithfulness that

God demonstrates and for the steadfastness and resilience of my own parents.

...