Celebrating Black History Month – A Conversation with Lauresa Garnett, LifeGift Family Engagement Specialist

What experience has shaped who you are?

For most of my career I have worked in helping fields, supporting people experiencing homelessness, mentally illness, CPS, addiction prevention, domestic violence shelters, and organ donation. Each role has contributed and shaped who I am today by allowing me to see we are all the same, all deserving respect, love, and basic human dignity.

Why is it important for Black voices and stories to be heard in this space?

Black voices matter because they have been silenced for decades. Even now, our stories are being banned and rewritten, it is important that we share stories with the next generation so they will know the sacrifice behind the opportunities they have today. Listening to my elders’ stories of survival and success has been a constant fuel for my own journey.

What does organ donation mean to you?

Organ donation means another chance at life, another opportunity to make memories, and accomplish goals. With two cousins who are kidney recipients and a father who is a tissue recipient, I’ve seen first-hand how life changing organ and tissue donation can be. I am also very aware of the historical atrocities that make organ donation a taboo subject in the Black community. My passion is to inspire the next generation to overcome fear, dispel misinformation, and learn the truth about organ and tissue donation.