April 2022 Newsletter: Get in Good, Necessary Trouble

"Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” - Late Congressman John Lewis

Friends,

Earlier this month I had the honor of serving as a panelist for the 2022 Conference on Diverse Philanthropy and Leadership. Sitting on stage alongside my peers was more than a full circle moment for me.

At the same conference three years prior, I was left awestruck by Dr. Tyrone McKinley Freeman’s closing keynote on Black women’s philanthropy during Jim Crow. Up until that point, my identity as a Black woman and my work as a philanthropy professional were in a long-distance relationship. The 2019 conference was my first invitation to bring my full self into this work.

Three years later, I graced the same stage that inspired me to press ahead and shared my heart for philanthropy that is unapologetic about centering Black joy.

Our plenary session on Good Trouble: Disrupting Philanthropy and Leadership for Good was a nod to late Congressman John Lewis and his call to action to help redeem the soul of this country.

I was overwhelmed by the number of young professionals who sought me out after the session to ask for hugs and offer their gratitude, just as I stood in line to thank Dr. Freeman a few short years ago.

Get into some good trouble today, tomorrow, and always. We will all be better for it.

In solidarity always,

April