This week, The 19th featured our president, Zakiya Jackson, in a powerful piece about what it means to lead and survive through the violence of the U.S. Federal Administration at this point in time. As a Black woman and a nonprofit leader, Zakiya opened her home and her heart to tell the truth about what these last 100 days under the current administration have really meant.

“I don’t feel like all hope is lost, but this is definitely hard — the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my career,” Zakiya told The 19th. “And it’s an unknown future while I look in the face of high need.”

Every decision has been heavier. Every tradeoff harder. She’s not alone in that feeling. And if you’re reading this, you have people.

Zakiya’s words are more than a reflection on hard times. They’re a call to stop pretending everything is fine and to reject the idea that business as usual will cut it right now. Ultimately, leaders of systems change and movements must tell the truth about what they’re up against and act in community to sustain one another.

Read the full piece in The 19th here.

This moment isn’t just about funding. It’s about faith and transparency.

It’s about family, both biological and chosen.

It’s about whether we will be brave enough to build something new, together, through the lens of mutual aid.

We don’t need to have it all figured out. But we do need to start telling the truth even and especially when it’s inconvenient.

We need each other more than ever.

We’re gathering next Thursday for a one-hour Zoom conversation with faith and organizational leaders from across the country. Together, we’ll reflect on the article and share honestly about the state of our work, our communities, and our collective power.
What: Dialogue: Divesting from Business as Usual
When: May 8, 2025, 01:00 PM Eastern Time
Via Zoom
Register