Appreciation for teachers, friends, and community

I’m fortunate to have many teachers and nurturers. I offer deep appreciation. I have the opportunity to do this work in the ways that I do because of communities of folks who have come before and community I’m currently surrounded in.

I’m grateful for the existence, heart, and work of— adrienne maree brown, Alice Walker, Andrea Dworkin, Arundhati Roy, Audre Lorde, bell hooks, Betty Martin, Cara Page, Ella Baker, Gabor Maté, James-Olivia Chu Hillman, ji-youn kim, Judith Herman, Kai Cheng Thom, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, Nkem Ndefo, Mara Glatzel, Octavia Butler, Patrisse Cullors, Paulo Freire, Prentis Hemphill, Roxane Gay, Sonya Renee Taylor, Tema Okun, and many others.

To the dear ones who I’ve had the honor of working side-by-side with or been mentored or inspired by— Ali, Anndrea, Anthony, Beth, Brian, Cat, Cindy, Dana, Deanna, Donna, Eric, Erica, Eva, Guadalupe, Hector, Janet, Janine, jessica, Joanne, Julie, Katie, Karla, Kendra, Kris, Lakshman, Laura M, Laura P, Lauren, LB, Leah, Lisa, Lorraine, Maria, Marla, Megan, Melisa, Michele, Michelle, Miller, Mira, Nicole M, Nicole S, Nina, Sally, Shannon, T, Tamara, Taylor, Tiombe, Val, and Wanda— thank you.

To those who have been inspiration in thought and language— who have helped me find the words to describe concepts, offerings, approaches, and much more— amb, bryanna boyd, and James-Olivia Chu Hillman— thank you.