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Reflections from Michael McAfee, CEO

Dear friends,

Last year, my colleagues and I began asking ourselves whether we have the souls that can manifest the capacity to love everyone, to see their humanity, and to work in service of their thriving. We knew that the only way to counter what we are seeing in the world is to model something different. But I also knew that I was hurting, and that I did not have the reservoir of grace necessary to become the manifestation of love that this moment demands.

(You can find a video of me speaking about this journey at our Equity Summit here.)

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After three months away, I feel more committed than ever to creating a nation that works for all. And I also feel clear about what it will take.

During that time, I thought deeply about the leadership and courage that must be exhibited in this moment and those to come. Efforts to hurt and dehumanize people are all around us, and will only continue. While pain may tempt us to mirror that toxicity or enter into rivalry, I believe we can’t compromise the fullness of our minds, energy, and soul that this moment requires of us.

This is not a statement that seeks to ignore the harm and destruction we see around us. Rather, it is one that recognizes that where there is destruction, there is a need for rebuilding. And so the only response left is to step up to redesign this nation for our collective flourishing, on our terms.

This can and must be our founding moment.

As one way to live into this opportunity, we launched a webinar series, A Nation Fair and Just, to explore the change we need for the United States to be a nation that delivers for all. The next session will take place April 10, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM PT. In it, leaders will discuss the power of the Civil Rights statutes, and the promises made by Congress in response to the activism of the Civil Rights movement (find more details below).

Please register for the webinar here.

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When I reflect on our history and the future that is ours to create, I feel unafraid. I believe if we can lead with strength and love for all, we have the power to realize the promise of equity in our lifetime.

Finally, I want to close with a few words of gratitude.

I am proud to have known what I needed at that time, and a board that cared enough to approve my time away. I am grateful that PolicyLink’s leadership is distributed and the whole is bigger than the sum of its parts. It was a gift to see the transformational work our team can lead, even when leaders must step away.

I have always known it to be true, but it was a reminder of what a gift and blessing it is to co-lead PolicyLink with Ashleigh Gardere. Her brilliance, vision, and the way she shows up daily are a reminder of what it looks like to be a manifestation of love.

While I will continue prioritizing my well-being, my peace and respite is in the fire and community with each of you. This is my soul's work, and I will do it until I take my last breath. Thank you for being a part of this journey.

Sincerely,

Michael McAfee

CEO, PolicyLink

Webinar: A Nation Fair and Just

April 10, 11:30 AM PT, 2:30 PM ET

This webinar is the second of a three-part series to explore the historic promise of equal protection; to understand what it means for American democracy to truly deliver fundamental fairness; and to demand the change we need for America to be a nation that delivers for all.

In this session, we will focus on the historic efforts that produced and catalyzed the Civil Rights Movement, the legacy of the movement, the shoulders we stand on, and how we move forward in transformative solidarity to ensure that our governing institutions truly serve all.

Panelists include:

Melanie Campbell – President/CEO, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation

Damon Hewitt – President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Moderated by: Ashleigh Gardere – President, PolicyLink​​​​​​



Register here.

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