In Community #11: Shout out to the real ones

“It doesn't matter how strong your opinions are. If you don't use your power for positive change, you are, indeed, part of the problem.” - Coretta Scott King

We’re less than two weeks into the new year, but I can’t be the only one who feels like we went from zero to 300 way too fast, right? Last week, I spoke about how I’m starting the year by reinvesting in my own community.

As I got back into the swing of things this week, I made sure to ask folks I connected with what they did over the year-end holiday – and if they had the opportunity to really disconnect, even if only for a short amount of time. We all have a tendency to get back to work and start running at the outset of the year.

Company goals, career milestones, family time, and more can all start to blend together quickly as we keep our heads down to keep moving forward. It’s worth taking a pause though to bring forward the energy we replenished just days earlier.

It’s also worth celebrating getting some wins – seemingly small or big – through another action-packed week, especially with so much going on in our lives. (Seriously, if you haven’t done it yet, this is your reminder to celebrate! 🥳)

And let’s face it – we achieved these wins through collaboration, connection, and using our collective power. And recognizing how our strengths complement each other.

So as we go into another upcoming holiday – MLK Jr. Day – I’ve got some questions I’d like you to think about.

👉🏽 How are you using your power as an individual to come together in solidarity with others?

👉🏽 How are you using your power to complement the strengths and needs of those around you – especially to make real, positive change?

👉🏽 How are you uplifting others in the Black community and other people of color?

As individuals, as leaders, as businesses, now is the time to shine the light and use your power as a force for good. 

Listen. Acknowledge the reality and engage openly in community with others around you. If you’re not Black or a person of color, ask friends and coworkers what support they need to get farther faster this year. Listen to understand.

Speak up. Put your words into action. Use the knowledge gained to thoughtfully and directly call out inequities, within your social group, within your team at work, within your organization. Start and continue the conversations.

Show up. Put actions behind your words. Put your money where your mouth is. Focus on purpose – not just in the way you communicate but in how you and your business do business. Dedicate financial support behind programs that benefit communities of color, within your organization and beyond. Recruit BIPOC and make sure our voices carry weight, so that you retain and develop us across all levels. Think twice about the ripple effect of restructures, furloughs, and layoffs involving people of color.

Keep it up. Keep going. Don’t stop. Don't wait. This is not a “one and done” situation. Focus on actions. Build empathy and compassion. Amplify your efforts. Share the message and spread the word, today, tomorrow, in a meeting or call, in texts, on social media, and in person. Make sure to check in with the people around you. Make your voice heard and lift the voices of Black and other people of color. Don’t wait. Don’t stop. Keep going.

💥 Ayo Edebiri is the first Nigerian-American to win a Best Actor Golden Globe. And she makes sure to give a shout out to the real ones

💥 Why are the “world’s happiest countries” seemingly all in the Global North? Are they just lands of contradictions and bias?

💥 ICYMI: Speaking of happiness, my keyword for this year is “balance.” So, what’s yours?

In community,

Fahad