The physicists say that for every action, there is a reaction, but I much prefer Octavia Butler’s keen eye on this:  God is Change.

It’s hard to remember a time in my life when this country was in a higher state of reaction – 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. 

There’s no doubt that we are indeed on the cusp of unprecedented change in a season that has worn us to the bone.  Many of you have been doing the heavy lifting – for months, for years — as we head into a vote that will have grave consequences for so many of the people we organize with and serve – whatever the outcomes.

What to do?  One of the great learnings I’ve internalized from watching you over the past decade – as you share your inspired strategies, powerful visions and daunting struggles with each other – is this:  when the macro challenges are despairingly grim, you have each other.  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.

I’ve watched you do this again and again. With every cohort and partner pair claiming theirs as the best Rockwood cohort or pair ever. And while we do so jokingly, I know there’s real power in our connections to one another and to the communities we serve.  So, let us lean into each other even more during these times, reminding ourselves of the enormous progress we’ve made and the durability of our comradeship. I have a special vantage point because for nearly a decade I’ve had a bird’s 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: when we organize, build, strategize and stay connected: we prevail.

Because all our daily ways of being and working add up.  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, all of these matter. 

YES, the immensity of our vision really matters.  We are here to remake the whole power equation – to value and cherish every life, every community.  The genius and commitment embedded in the thousands of intricate, spectacular visions that we hold, share, and grow together – that’s what is keeping me hopeful, even in this astoundingly troubling time.

I don’t know what we’ll be facing post-election day, but I know this:  I’ll be facing it with you, and we will be facing it with each other.  And no matter how hard the road becomes – I know we will do what we have always done – get up and face the day head-on: TOGETHER. Because the strength of our community is REAL. If you haven’t already, please take a look at the partner list from our new Strategic Plan Refresh (pp.32-33) to be reminded of the inspiring organizations that make our beloved Rockwood alumni a community of deep support and an enduring force for change.

Rockwood will host a Community Call on November 7 – Please join us by registering here. And please stay close to one another. We can do so much better, so much more, together.

With deep gratitude for the power of community,

Darlene
CEO, Rockwood Leadership Institute