OSHKOSH - After nearly six years of dedication to improve racial literacy in the community, Fit Oshkosh dissolved Thursday.
The nonprofit organization voted the first week of April to dissolve, Executive Director Tracey Robertson said.
"It was difficult initially, but I knew it was right," she said.
In a post on the organization's now defunct Facebook page, Robertson said she worked "sacrificially" to improve race relations in Oshkosh and the larger community. The board "regretfully" agreed with her decision to dissolve the nonprofit.
It was time to take care of herself and close the doors, she told The Northwestern Thursday, noting fatigue had started to take a toll.
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The organization was founded in 2014. It started as an idea at Robertson's kitchen table, which grew to an informal group that met in her living room and finally to a nonprofit organization that led to Robertson receiving numerous awards. She became known internationally for her racial literacy work.
Marijke van Roojen, who has been the co-facilitator of racial literacy training for Fit Oshkosh, will carry on training sessions through her consulting company Common Talks: Mediation and Facilitation Services. To make arrangements for a session, email vanroojen@gmail.com.
Robertson said financial challenges, learning on the job, lack of mentors and, finally, an instant loss of income from the impact of coronavirus all contributed to the decision to close the nonprofit.
She noted some of the organization's wins were employing people of color, launching a co-working space, presenting the photo exhibit "Color-Brave Photo Project: Black and Brown Faces, a New Narrative" throughout the region and the annual Kids and Cops Basketball Game that had become popular.
"I think we've made some strides, we've taken some steps back," Robertson said of racial literacy progress in Oshkosh. "There's more work to be done and I think we have people in our community who are capable of doing it."
Black and brown representation continues to lack in the police force, university, local businesses and leadership positions, she said. She encourages institutions and organizations in the community to pick up the mantle and continue to do the work.
"It's a loss of an asset," Mayor Lori Palmeri said about Fit.
Robertson started necessary conversations about race in the community, she said. It's good to know that her work will be continued by others.
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew Leavitt echoed Palmeri's sentiment.
"She urges us to understand that our shared economic prosperity is dependent on this work," he said. "I will not forget her and Fit Oshkosh's work and community-building vision."
Oshkosh Police Chief Dean Smith said the department has worked well with Fit Oshkosh and their efforts have been successful. Robertson and the organization has had a positive impact not only on the community, but on the state.
"The cops and kids basketball game was one example of our efforts to bring a greater understanding of both similarities and differences that police officers and persons of color have in today’s time," he said. "I do think that as a city both in the government as well as the private industries we can improve our representation of our community as a whole."
Ultimately, Robertson said she and her team did the work they could do in the season they were given to do it — that's something to celebrate, and she's hopeful for Oshkosh.
Racial literacy has been a major part of her life's work. On the organization's last day, Robertson said one person can make a difference.
"You can have all the odds stacked against you and you can be a game changer," she said. "You can do it. You just have to set your mind to it, not take no for an answer and fight for the things that matter to you."
Contact Lydia Slattery at 920-426-6710 or lslattery@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @lydiaslattery. Contact Noell Dickmann at 920-224-2933 or nkdickmann@gannett.com.
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