Share the Impact of Dr. Medlock’s Removal Directly with BHA via their Community Engagement Calendar

We know that Dr. Medlock’s removal without cause is bigger than one person. Thank you for being a supporter of the #JusticeForMedlock movement. Harm was done to Dr. Morgan Medlock so we are owning our power to seek justice for that pain. We acknowledge that many others were also harmed and have felt hurt and disrespect connected to the Governor’s action. This is about justice for Dr. Medlock and our community. 

We encourage you to share your experience and the impact of the oppressive actions taken against to Dr. Medlock with the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). The BHA has a community engagement calendar with upcoming public town halls, provider convenings, and public events here and a public email address, CDHS_BHA@state.co.us. If you are worried or fearful you won’t get a response or there won't be accountability for sharing your truth, you can cc or bcc our media@justiceformedlock.com email and we will post your truth and any response anonymously unless otherwise noted. We can’t guarantee a response from the BHA but we can provide some transparency. 

It's important to consider the larger societal and systemic factors that are contributing to Dr. Medlock’s removal. For example, what policies or practices within the BHA or the Colorado State government may be contributing to the injustices experienced by Dr. Medlock and other historically-excluded employees? How are those in power keeping these oppressive policies in place?

What questions do you have for the BHA and the Governor’s office about Dr. Medlock’s removal without cause? Share your questions in the comments section of this petition, on Justice for Medlock social media channels, or directly with the BHA.  

We have gathered 5 resources to help shed light on the broader societal and systemic factors that contribute to workplace injustices and inequality in Colorado:

1. "Racial Equity in Colorado's Workforce Development System" by The Bell Policy Center: This report examines the racial disparities in Colorado's workforce development system, including barriers to employment and education for people of color.

2. "Breaking Barriers: Women of Color in Colorado's Workforce" by Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce: This report looks at the experiences of women of color in the Colorado workforce, including issues related to pay equity, career advancement, and representation in leadership positions.

3. "The High Cost of Being Poor in Colorado" by the Colorado Center on Law and Policy: This report examines the economic and social barriers faced by low-income Coloradans, including issues related to access to affordable housing, healthcare, and education.

4. "Racial Disparities in Colorado's Criminal Justice System" by the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition: This report looks at the disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on people of color in Colorado, including issues related to arrest rates, sentencing, and incarceration.

5. "Colorado and the Workplace: What it Means to be Working Poor" by Colorado Public Radio: This article explores the experiences of low-wage workers in Colorado, including the challenges of making ends meet and accessing basic needs such as healthcare and housing.

We have also gathered 5 articles and research resources related to the broader societal and systemic factors that contribute to workplace injustices and inequality from nationally-recognized experts:

1. "The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America" by Richard Rothstein: This book explores how government policies, such as redlining and discriminatory zoning, contributed to the racial segregation of housing and neighborhoods in the U.S.

2. "Intersectionality as a Framework for Understanding and Addressing Unequal Health Risks and Outcomes" by Kimberlé Crenshaw: This article explains the concept of intersectionality and its relevance to understanding how social identities, such as race, gender, and class, intersect to shape experiences of discrimination and inequality.

3. "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" by Michelle Alexander: This book argues that the criminal justice system has been used as a tool of racial oppression, and that mass incarceration has perpetuated racial inequality in the U.S.

4. "The 1619 Project" by The New York Times Magazine: This project explores the legacy of slavery and racism in American history and society, including its impact on areas such as housing, education, and criminal justice.

5. "Race, Racism, and Discrimination: Bridging Problems, Methods, and Theory in Social Psychological Research" by Brenda Major and John Dovidio: This article discusses the ways in which social psychological research can contribute to understanding and addressing issues of race, racism, and discrimination.

In conclusion, the unjust removal of Dr. Medlock and the broader issue of workplace injustices and inequality in Colorado highlight the urgent need for justice and systemic change. As we've seen, racial biases and power imbalances continue to play a role in who gets hired, promoted, and retained in government leadership positions. 

By shedding light on these issues, we can start to have difficult conversations and take steps toward creating a more equitable and just workplace for all people in Colorado.

This includes advocating for policies and practices that address the root causes of inequality, such as ending discrimination in hiring and promotion, providing fair wages and benefits, and creating safe and inclusive work environments. 

By working together to seek Justice for Medlock, we can help create a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Sign the Petition to Reinstate Dr. Medlock

On Monday, April 17, 2023, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) Commissioner, Morgan Medlock, MD, MDiv, MPH, a Black community leader, was unjustly removed from her Colorado cabinet position without cause. Her removal risks the lives of millions of people in Colorado who deserve accessible, trauma-informed, and culturally-responsive behavioral health care. It also perpetuates the message that strong, qualified Women of Color are vulnerable to the whims of political systems and cabinet leadership.

Demand justice for Dr. Medlock by signing the petition for Governor Polis to bring her back as the Commissioner of the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA).