Community
Our purpose is rooted in serving communities through hope, vision, and humanity. We champion systems change to dismantle factors that hinder growth, flourishing, and community well-being. We unite people through creative partnership, collaboration and focused problem-solving, driven by the power of purpose unburdened by bias, bigotry, ignorance, racism, and hate.
We Must Build Community
We want to build authentic partnerships that intentionally address gaps in how we engage, treat, think about, and behave towards one another. These gaps are often steeped in undercurrents of race/bias/prejudice/ignorance institutional and structural discrimination, demonstrated through exclusionary practices. We must be intentional in our practices to develop trust, model humility, rooted in collective action, and shared power for genuine community—not just as leaders, but as people.
Some key points are necessary for us to partner as an Authentic Community:
1. An enduring community requires trust.
2. Trust must be at the heart of our community, and trust can only begin when we start to be open and honest with ourselves.
3. We must leave behind egos based on inwardly and outwardly dominant cultural standards.
4. Recognize our shared interests, missions, and common ground, and passions.
5. Do not blush over our common threads steeped in humanity.
6. Engage in inclusive conversations, not just sharing opinions, but truly sharing.
7. Keep the communication ongoing.
8. Speak to one another, and not to narratives.
We start by creating an Authentic environment:
1. We must model/live the behavior, treatment, and change we want to experience in the world.
2. Open, caring communication is not always easy.
3. Embrace the fact that we all come from diverse backgrounds and challenge assumptions in our thinking.
4. Encourage responsible truth-sharing while acknowledging it can be uncomfortable.
We will struggle to model these habits, and we must critique ourselves internally:
1. Be mindful of our thoughts, where are we harboring false narratives.
2. Work starts within, before we can truly practice it in our actions, deeds, and works.
3. Are our actions aligned with our Core Values and Beliefs?
4. Stop and reflect before responding in tense conversations.
5. Do not shame or blame for alignment.
Authenticity, Vulnerability, and the Power of Community
True community requires courage. It asks us to genuinely show up, embrace vulnerability, and engage with each other thoughtfully and respectfully. This means acknowledging our imperfections, investing in relationships, and leading with purpose and humility.
Perfection is an illusion that holds us back. We fear being seen as lacking, but true strength lies in acknowledging our limitations and striving for growth. We must shed egos and embrace our shared humanity.
Community is built through active participation, not passive consumption. It thrives on deep conversations, shared stories, and a willingness to learn and grow together. This requires time, effort, and a willingness to take risks.
Challenging and difficult conversations are inevitable. Instead of avoiding them, we must confront them head-on with compassion and understanding. These struggles can ultimately deepen our bonds and strengthen our community. By investing in each other and embracing our authentic selves, we can create a powerful and supportive community. This is how we unlock our collective potential and create positive change.
Head Advocate, Change & Innovation