John - 2021 was a(nother) tough year. From the January 6 insurrection to the attacks on voting rights, and women’s bodies, the violent crimes against our Asian family, more police murders of unarmed Black folks...it was a lot to take in.

 

Oh yeah...COVID was still there, too.

 

With all of this going on it’s far too easy to get bogged down in the bad. To dwell on the hardships.

 

There were some positives - justice in the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery. Democracy standing up against a relentless attack that was fueled by white supremacist ideology. A Black and South Asian woman, the daughter of immigrants, being sworn in as Vice President, shattering the political glass ceiling. Black and Latinx progressive candidates WINNING their races in the 2021 elections...and more.

 

While I don’t want to make light of what we’ve been through, or what we’re still going through, I want to sit with the good. That’s why I’m getting a bit personal and taking a few moments to share my very own Gratitude List.

 

I also want to introduce you to a few of the sponsors that help make our work possible. Their logos are below - you can simply click on each to go to their websites to learn more. We’ll be sending personalized notes with resources from our sponsors later this week, so stay tuned.

 

Lastly, I want to let everyone know that re:power is shutting down for the last two weeks of the year. Friday, December 17 is our last full day of work. After that, we’re going down to a skeleton crew that will tackle any emergencies that may pop up.

 

We are privileged to be able to take this time to recharge and reconnect, and I sincerely hope that you too can carve out some self-care as we wrap up another unforgettable year.

 

Thank you for all that you do. I look forward to continue building together next year.

 

Karundi Williams, Executive Director

 

 

 

My Gratitude List

 

My family: Nuclear, extended, and the one I’ve created. I feel incredibly blessed to have a supportive family unit and a hella supportive partner that helps ground me and keep me focused on what’s really important. 

 

My community: My fellow Executive Directors of Color, mentors, specifically the Black women who’ve mentored me. Having this support system on my leadership journey has been essential. Critical, even. I owe any success I experience to my community.

 

My team. Having dope staff who show up DAILY believing in the vision of re:power, who support my leadership, and who are excellent at what they do is a dream. We’re still building but re:power would not have weathered the storms without this committed and talented team. 

 

My health. Having my daughter later in life has really helped me prioritize my health and wellness in a powerful way. Wanting to be around long enough to watch her grow, has me focused very much on my health. 

 

This work and this movement. I consider it a privilege to make a living doing what I love and consider my purpose. I am lucky to get to do high-impact work, to be part of the solution, and to have a small part in creating change for our people. I don’t take a moment of it for granted.

On Twitter? @Me YOUR Gratitude List