Dear Colleagues,
 
As the President of an international organization whose fundamental mission is to bring people together, I have witnessed the volatile events over the past week with great heartache. These events have touched many of us deeply, especially our black members, at a time when our anxiety and uncertainty about the future are already heightened.
 
We cannot, and must not, accept events like the suffocation of George Floyd, and the recent abhorrent killings of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, nor the feelings of hopelessness and anger that fueled peaceful and violent demonstrations across the globe this weekend. We have to do better as people, as scientists, and as “one global ASBMR family.”
 
In this dark moment, we have an opportunity and obligation to listen to each other and lift our collective voice against social injustice and racism. The ASBMR Membership Engagement Committee and the Diversity in Bone and Mineral Research Subcommittee began conversations over the weekend. Along with the ASBMR Council, will continue to determine and advance steps the Society can take to care for our colleagues and community. These include providing a platform for conversations and compiling resources that are especially needed in this time of so much isolation and desperation.
 
As a first step, I invite you to join the Diversity Subcommittee’s Research Interest Call this Thursday, June 4, at 3:00PM EDT, where we will have a listening session for our members to express their thoughts and feelings and discuss actions that we can take as a community.
 
Despite the overwhelming set of circumstances and events, I have tremendous faith in our community to play a lead role in taking meaningful steps toward bringing our community together to address these inequities.
 
Sincerely,
Teresita Bellido, Ph.D.
ASBMR President