I want to start with gratitude. I’m grateful for all of you reading this newsletter. Whether you dig in every time, every so often, or just have it on the back burner for a future you, I’m happy you’re here.
I’m also incredibly grateful for the journey this newsletter has taken me on, requiring me to really dig into what it means to be an ally. Along the way, I have learned so much. I’ve also met some really fantastic people—who have introduced me to other people, organizations, and books or resources.
So, here’s a thank you to the folks who have taught me the most, whether they know it or not.
Erin Corine Johnson: She has a tireless passion for helping changemakers, helping the people who wear themselves out helping others. Funny enough she did this to herself when putting on an incredible Summit! She’s now introducing R.I.S.E. Changemaker’s Academy, and I can guarantee you it will be worth it!
Lola Bakare: She was one of the speakers at Erin’s event, and I could not get enough. Seriously, Lola herself was worth the price of admission! She’s passionate about responsible marketing—and helps actual teams do better. I learn every day from her posts and her book. Plus, she amplifies friends!
Arlene and Louis Byrd: Also a part of Erin’s event. They’re building a platform that removes the friction and barriers that entrepreneurs need to really make money and grow their business. Forget the algorithms, playing the game, and prioritizing drama over real work. They’re also based in KC which makes me like them even more. Check out Hiyer (I’ve already joined as a founding member!).
Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell: A Black female physician showing what it’s like to truly give your community what they need. She’s an influencer in the best way, sharing real perspectives, calling out lies (ahem Tylenol and vaccines are safe), and speaking in a way that is understandable and accessible. She’s a powerhouse changing the world and healthcare.
Thank you for Learning For Good right alongside me. Thank you for showing up for our friends, families, neighbors, communities, and world.
True inclusion is systemic inclusion
Resources
Only three chapters in, and I cannot get enough. I’m listening to The Canary Code on Audible, and I have bookmarked basically every 30 seconds of the book. One of the best anecdotes so far highlights how inclusion benefits ALL of us. Take curb cuts. This law, as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act, mandated cuts in curbs that allowed wheelchairs to easily roll down from sidewalks or up from the street.
Who else benefited? Parents with strollers, delivery people with heavy loads, people riding bikes, and travelers dragging luggage. Long story short, inclusion is about everyone belonging.
The Canary Code by Ludmila N. Praslova, PhD
Responsible Marketing by Lola Bakare
I haven’t read these yet, but they come highly recommended:
Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader’s Guide to Empowering Everyone by Frances Frei and Anne Morriss
Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success by Ruchika T. Malhotra
This resource was posted because of the government shut down when food stamps weren’t available. It remains a useful list of food resources.
Ways to Engage
The Human Rights Campaign has so many ways to engage. I had the chance to watch their year-end Town Hall, and it is worth the time. We have the right advocates and leaders inside HRC to help us through this incredibly difficult moment in our history.
Quote of the Month
Inclusion by design must start at the margins
