Dear Community,

We want to share an important update about the future of R.A.C.E. Matters SLO County (R.A.C.E. Matters).

After careful reflection and responsible governance, our Board of Directors and leadership have made the difficult decision not to renew the lease for Texture, and are now reorganizing our operations. This decision was not made lightly. It reflects current financial realities, including the high overhead associated with maintaining a physical space and unresolved donation funds tied to the bankruptcy of our former payment processor, Flipcause.

Approximately $27,000 in community donations processed through Flipcause were never released to R.A.C.E. Matters, and we do not yet know if or when those funds may be recovered. This unexpected loss significantly impacted our ability to meet operating costs as planned.

What this decision does not represent is an end to our mission or our work.

While Texture has been a meaningful and visible expression of our work, R.A.C.E. Matters is more than a physical space. Our mission to amplify Black voices and matters of racial justice through arts, culture, and social experiences remains strong and unchanged. R.A.C.E. Matters will continue community-centered programming through a restructured model, focusing on sustainability, care, and impact. As part of this transition, we are seeking to raise approximately $30,000 to help cover essential costs through February 2026, allowing us to responsibly close Texture, stabilize operations, and move forward in a way that better aligns with our current capacity.  We welcome community support to enable us to continue to meet our mission.  Click here to make a donation through our new payment processor.

We share this transparently, with deep gratitude for the community that has made this work possible. Your support — whether through participation, partnership, or financial contribution — continues to sustain the stories, healing, and connection at the heart of R.A.C.E. Matters.

We are now focused on navigating the next chapter of R.A.C.E. Matters and the community we all share. We will continue to provide updates as plans take shape, and invite you to stay connected as we reimagine how this important work moves forward.

With gratitude and resolve,

Preston Allen, President, R.A.C.E. Matters Board of Directors

Julie Lynem - Vice President, R.A.C.E. Matters Board of Directors

Laura Albers - Treasurer, R.A.C.E. Matters Board of Directors

Mario Espinoza-Kulick - Secretary, R.A.C.E. Matters Board of Directors

Camille O’Bryant - Member at Large, R.A.C.E. Matters Board of Directors

Ben Arrona - Member at Large, R.A.C.E. Matters Board of Directors

Courtney Haile - Executive Director