Movement Started by Community Calling for Governor Polis to Reinstate Dr. Medlock as BHA Commissioner
May 2, 2023
On Monday, April 17, 2023, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) Commissioner Dr. Morgan Medlock, MD, MDiv, MPH, a Black community leader, was unjustly removed from her Colorado cabinet position.
Denver, Colorado May 2, 2023 (Issuewire.com) - On Monday, April 17, 2023, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) Commissioner Dr. Morgan Medlock, MD, MDiv, MPH, a Black community leader, was unjustly removed from her Colorado cabinet position. The Justice for Medlock movement was started by the community to elevate her story, bring to light the harm done to Leaders of Color by political structures, and seek justice by calling for Governor Polis to reinstate Dr. Medlock as BHA Commissioner.
Dr. Medlock's removal risks the lives of millions of people in Colorado who deserve accessible, trauma-informed, and culturally-responsive behavioral health care. It perpetuates the message that strong, qualified Women of Color are vulnerable to the whims of political systems and cabinet leadership. Her focused systems-change work and unflappable integrity were a source of inspiration, strength, and hope for so many people who don't have the loudest voice, the safety to share, or the position of power to matter to those making decisions.
The absence of Dr. Medlock's steady and transformational leadership from the Governor's cabinet has come at a time when Black leaders and politicians are being silenced, rejected, and punished for bringing the truth about injustice to the forefront of society. Her sudden departure rings with the familiarity of Tennessee State Representatives Justin Pearson and Justin Jones, who were removed for working on behalf of diverse communities and representing their authentic selves.
It is only with the voice of the people and the solidarity of those communities that they were given the chance to return and lead. People can demand justice for Dr. Medlock by signing the Justice for Medlock petition for Governor Polis to bring her back as the Commissioner of the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA).
The Justice for Medlock movement is also collecting stories about Dr. Medlock's leadership from people across Colorado. The submission process is anonymous to protect those who want to share and may feel fearful or worried about intimidation. Here are some of the stories submitted to the site:
Upon her arrival in the state of Colorado, Dr. Medlock included the Denver-Rocky Mountain Association of Black Psychologists in her statewide tour. She continued her engagement throughout her tenure. We were provided a seat at the table and engaged as true thought partners.
Dr. Medlock lives her values completely. Her integrity is visible in all the work she does, and elevates the work of others. She is the best person for the job and works for the people, not social capital.
Dr. Medlock created a bold and clear vision for behavioral healthcare in Colorado. She is a leader who authentically lives out the values of truth, equity, collaboration, community-informed practice, and generational impact. Dr. Medlock inspired so much change in this state and led with integrity and confidence. I am honored to have had the chance to work with such an influential leader and to support her vision.
Dr. Morgan Medlock leads with a passion for people. All people deserve the right to equal access to behavioral health care. She believed that wholeheartedly and was bold with her direction and vision for how state government should be run.
Dr. Medlock's success and achievements as BHA Commissioner are evident. Her assignment was created to rebuild Colorado's behavioral health continuum of care. The innovation driven by her unique perspective as a public servant and psychiatrist with intentionality for those with lived experience was the approach that Colorado deserved. Systems change of this magnitude requires resources, innovation, investments, support, and most importantly time, which Dr. Medlock was not afforded because of an unjust political decision.
About the Justice for Medlock Movement
Justice for Medlock is a support movement created by members of the community and concerned citizens of Colorado to rally around and uplift an authentic and bold public servant who was treated unjustly and disrespectfully. The movement is about demanding accountability for Dr. Medlock and all those who found hope in Dr. Medlock's position of power and inspiration from her strength. Find us at www.JusticeforMedlock.com or email [email protected].
Source :Justice for Medlock
This article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here.
More News
Diesel price hike seen on Oct. 27
A new price hike for diesel is expected next week due to worsening geopolitical conflicts. In an advisory on Friday, Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said diesel prices may increase by P2 to P2.50 per liter. But motorists may also get small relief, with gasoline scheduled for a rollback of P1 to P1.50 per liter.
LTO to deploy over 100 personnel for ‘Undas’
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will deploy more than 100 personnel under “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos–Undas 2026” to ensure road safety and orderly traffic with the expected surge in travelers. READ: Undas practices continue at home for those absent in cemeteries, columbaria The deployment will cover Manila-Cavite Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, Skyway, STAR
NBI nabs 16-year-old ‘online groomer’ in Cebu
CEBU CITY — A 16-year-old boy is now in the custody of state social workers after being accused of grooming minors online and encouraging them to engage in violent activities, including school shootings, the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) said on Friday. The teenager allegedly participated in an online group whose members
In Bohol, Loboc River works resume amid renewed concerns
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol —The resumption of construction along Bohol’s iconic Loboc River has reignited concerns among residents, tourism operators and environmental advocates over the potential impact of a P3.5-billion flood control project on the river’s natural landscape and tourism industry. Dredging and the installation of steel sheet piles have raised fears of damage to firefly
/file/publisher-c1a3f893382d2b2f8a9aa22a654d9c97/2026/04/c22448cc3ad292e3b7ca26aaf8a03cba.jpg)
PAS merely a BN 'lackey' in Malacca polls pact - Khalid
Amanah leader highlights disproportionate distribution of seats.
South Korea to halt flights, delay work hours for 25-minute English test
South Korea will briefly halt takeoffs and landings, ask offices and businesses to start work later and add subway trains on Nov. 19 so 551,864 test-takers can reach the national college entrance exam on time and sit it undisturbed.
Vietnam Airlines to launch direct Da Nang-Singapore flights on Nov 17
Vietnam Airlines will launch daily direct flights between Da Nang and Singapore from Nov. 17, bringing the total frequency between Vietnam and Singapore to 42 round-trip flights per week.
11 school sanitation facilities inaugurated in Son La
Hope Foundation, Opella Vietnam and BW Industrial on Oct. 22 handed over 11 school sanitation facilities across six communes in Son La Province, with total funding of nearly VND3 billion.
Pulong Duterte responds to De Lima's remarks on libel, cyber libel raps
Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte called out ML Party-list Representative Leila de Lima for criticizing his move to file cyber libel and libel charges against GMA Network Inc. and several journalists, saying he was merely exercising his right to defend his name.
No tsunami threat to PH after magnitude 7.2 earthquake near Vanuatu --PHIVOLCS
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Saturday said there is no threat of a tsunami affecting the Philippines after a strong earthquake occurred in the waters near Vanuatu.
Vietnam's $13B airport Long Thanh short of skilled workers two months before opening
Four construction packages at Long Thanh International Airport, including its passenger terminal, risk falling behind schedule because of worker shortages and slow payments, Vietnam's Ministry of Construction has warned.
Teen livestreams alleged axe attack on teacher with phone strapped to his head
Malaysian police have arrested a 16-year-old student who allegedly attacked a teacher with an axe at a private school in Kuching, Sarawak, while livestreaming on Facebook.
YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.
Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?
Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.