Doing ‘The Work’: Create. Connect. Commit.

Over the course of this series, we’ve shared with you the organizations we support and believe are doing “the work.” In the first post of this series, we shared what “doingthe work” means to us: creating transformative and sustainable solutions for individuals and organizations in support of their efforts to create more equitable and inclusive environments. We also shared that it’s about connecting this mission to the work of breaking down broader systems of inequity and supporting organizations that create change “on the ground” in their communities.

And still, as I think about doing “the work”, breaking down systems, creating equitable and inclusive environments, it seems too big. And it is big. This work is seemingly limitless at the same time that it requires hope that there is, in fact, a limit – a point at which we reach equity. So, in the midst of this “big” work, I want to share some ways that the organizations we’ve highlighted helped me to see the small (read: doable, actionable) work that we all should and continue to do.

Create. The work of these organizations reminded me of the importance of creating – creating space for yourself and others to grow, creating a seat at the table, creating opportunity where before there was none. Ultimately, we create the world we want to live in or we create the world we think we should live in. We create worlds for ourselves every day. And every day, we have the choice to create space for ourselves and others in a way that allows for growth, that allows for breath, that allows for second (and third and fourth) chances.

Sometimes, “the work” can look like making time for a meeting with someone you see has potential but may need a mentor. It can look like making space in your day to educate yourself on something you’re passionate about or on someone’s story that you’d like to know more about. It could look like creating space for new opportunities and new relationships by letting go of those that may be more toxic. It could look like giving someone else the permission they think they need to do the same. It can be literally creating something – artwork, a schedule, a five-year plan – that brings you peace and hope and something to look forward to and work towards.

Ultimately, breaking barriers of systemic inequity requires that we continually and consistently do “the work” of creating the world we want to live in, starting with ourselves.

Connect. In order to advocate for someone, we have to know them. In order to create programs and systems that work for a variety of people, we have to know them. In order to understand why this work looks differently to different people and matters for different reasons, we have to know these people.

What struck me about all the organizations we spotlighted was that they all do work that builds connection. Their programs connect marginalized groups with worlds they’ve never had access to, build connections between people to combat stereotypes and dangerous biases, or connect people to the communities they need to feel belonging and empowerment.

Connection is powerful. We must get to know people up close to know what they care about, who they are, what they struggle with, and what they hope for. And until we know those things, we won’t necessarily care or understand why and how our systems marginalize people. We won’t make the connections. And those connections power us. They give us our “why”.

Commit. When we show up to do “the work” we should come prepared – with knowledge, with our “why”, with an openness to the people around us, and with a willingness to stand in the gaps. We must commit to the work in ways that ensure its sustainability and impact. When we’re doing the work of breaking down systemic inequity, we must commit to doing the work as our full, authentic selves – it’s the only way we’re able to create and connect.

But once we do that, we must also be willing to stand in the spaces where people are often unwilling to go. Our commitment should go beyond our own personal journeys. We have to come prepared to use our privileges to elevate marginalized voices and stories, and we have to come prepared to fight for those stories to be heard. When we create space for people, we’re making a commitment to take up less space ourselves. When we make connections and come up with our “why”, we should commit to teach and share, to support others in making their own connections. If we can commit each day to create, connect, and take actions that make those creations and those connections sustainable, then we will be doing “the work”.

I challenge you to think about how you can grow and where you can make new connections worth fighting for. Thank you to our 2018 Live Inclusively® Actualized grant awardees for pulling up the roots so that we can all take part in planting new seeds. Thank you for sharing your work with us and for adding even more meaning to our Commitment to Live Inclusively®. Let’s create. Let’s connect. Let’s commit.