The physicists say that for every action, there is a reaction, but I much prefer Octavia Butler\u2019s keen eye on this:\u00a0 <\/span>God is Change.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to remember a time in my life when this country was in a higher state of reaction \u2013 the rancorous conversation of this election season is revealing the deep political fault lines that have been baked into our nation from its violent and oppressive origins.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There\u2019s no doubt that we are indeed on the cusp of unprecedented change in a season that has worn us to the bone.\u00a0 Many of you have been doing the heavy lifting \u2013 for months, for years \u2014 as we head into a vote that will have grave consequences for so many of the people we organize with and serve \u2013 whatever the outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n What to do?\u00a0 One of the great learnings I\u2019ve internalized from watching you over the past decade \u2013 as you share your inspired strategies, powerful visions and daunting struggles with each other \u2013 is this:\u00a0 when the macro challenges are despairingly grim, you have each other.\u00a0 And when your staff or local community crises are getting you down, you turn to each other for fortification and light. No matter the daunting nature of the challenges or vision: we know we do better when we face it together.<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019ve watched you do this again and again. With every cohort and partner pair claiming theirs as the best Rockwood cohort or pair <\/span>ever<\/span><\/i>. And while we do so jokingly, I know there\u2019s real power in our connections to one another and to the communities we serve.\u00a0 So, let us lean into each other even more during these times, reminding ourselves of the enormous progress we\u2019ve made and the durability of our comradeship. I have a special vantage point because for nearly a decade I\u2019ve had a bird\u2019s eye view as you keep making breathtaking changes. Wins that seemed impossible only moments or months before manifest, whether opening a community center, leading a pivotal workers strike or transforming the way we fight white supremacy at a national level: <\/span>when we organize, build, strategize and stay connected: we prevail.<\/b><\/p>\n Because all our daily ways of being and working add up.\u00a0 The ways we speak to and work with each other, share food at a celebration, breathe together when we meet, get child care or health care for someone in need, offer a ride, become a mentor, elevate another leader, make sure our staff can take a break,<\/span> all of these matter<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n YES, the immensity of our vision really matters.\u00a0 We are here to remake the whole power equation \u2013 to value and cherish every life, every community.\u00a0 The genius and commitment embedded in the thousands of intricate, spectacular visions that we hold, share, and grow together \u2013 that\u2019s what is keeping me hopeful, even in this astoundingly troubling time.<\/span><\/p>\n I don\u2019t know what we\u2019ll be facing post-election day, but I know this:\u00a0 I\u2019ll be facing it with you, and we will be facing it with each other.\u00a0 And no matter how hard the road becomes \u2013 I know we will do what we have always done \u2013 get up and face the day head-on: TOGETHER. Because the strength of our community is REAL.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Rockwood will host a Community Call on November 7<\/b> \u2013 Please join us by registering <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>. And please stay close to one another. We can do so much better, so much more, together.<\/span><\/p>\n With deep gratitude for the power of community,<\/span><\/p>\n Darlene![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rockwoodleadership.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/brandon-green-GEyXGTY2e9w-unsplash-300x201.jpg.webp)
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CEO, Rockwood Leadership Institute<\/p>\n<\/div>\n