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. This is a movement to share her story and seek justice.

Her removal risks the lives of millions of people in Colorado who deserve accessible, trauma-informed, and culturally-responsive behavioral health care. Her removal also perpetuates the message that strong, qualified Women of Color are vulnerable to the whims of political systems and cabinet leadership.

Dr. Medlock's leadership has been instrumental in advancing equity and inclusion in Colorado's behavioral health system, including addressing disparities in access and quality of care for communities that have been historically harmed and excluded. It continues to inspire the JFM team that Dr. Medlock was working for the people of Colorado, carrying that weight as a cabinet leader and also as a human. Dr. Medlock’s job description required her to bring an “anti-racism” approach to behavioral health, and she did her job. Osher’s article boldly lifts “racial insensitivities” as a general act, but JFM sources have shared specific examples of harm and racism from across Colorado behavioral health stakeholders. White leaders continue to applaud Dr. Medlock’s removal publicly as those with identities that align with the global majority continue to try to voice support despite fear and roadblocks. In recent meetings, county officials began publicly criticizing the BHA’s emphasis on DEI and anti-racism. In a meeting with advocates, Dr. Medlock was asked to explain why she “talks so much” about the mental health needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. This was set against a backdrop of behavioral health stakeholders and vendors using racial slurs, including the N-word. During public testimony with the Joint Budget Committee, legislative members rolled their eyes and scoffed in response to Dr. Medlock’s presentation. She uniquely received this response. When Dr. Medlock testified to the Colorado House Public and Behavioral Health Human Services Committee, a Republican member addressed her and called the BHA a 600-pound gorilla. Referring to a Black person or an agency led by a WOC as a gorilla or any other dehumanizing term perpetuates harmful stereotypes, fuels systemic racism, and inflicts emotional and psychological harm. Recognizing the historical context, impact, and consequences of such language is essential. Portraying Black individuals as less than human, often equating them with apes and primates, was a tactic employed to reinforce racial hierarchies and perpetuate white superiority. These examples of Dr. Medlock experiencing harmful stereotypes and deep emotional and psychological harm during her tenure as BHA Commissioner are heartbreaking and the movement hopes that the stakeholders committing these acts reflect inward and that those who remained silent acknowledge their role in causing harm.

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

Read more about Dr. Medlock's story and her impact as a community leader at www.JusticeforMedlock.com