Looking Backwards to Move Forwards
160 years ago, the Emancipation Proclamation was finally enforced in every state in the country, pushing us one step closer to equal rights for every American. 56 years ago, Marcia Johnson, Zazu Nova, and Jackie Hormona stood up again for equal rights at the Stonewall riots.
While we’re still not there – and the past months have shown us that there’s more work to do than ever – we’re coming into this month with hope, pride, and a commitment to continuing the work that’s our legacy, handed down to us by the generations on generations of people who have fought for the things we all want for ourselves, our loved ones, and everyone in this country: the inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Great leadership is about both acknowledging what is, and looking forward to what might be.
And that’s what we’re doing this month. As we celebrate Pride and Juneteenth, we re-affirm our commitments to our values:
People first. Everyone is welcome at PointNorth, and we know that we rise by lifting others. We also know that there’s always more work to do there, and we embrace that work for ourselves, while actively looking for ways that we can facilitate that work for others.
Lead with integrity. We’re committed to our values and the care we have for our community. We transform the world around us with humility by acting on those values with relentless, dedicated focus. Anywhere we see something that’s out of line with those values, we stand up and say something.
Think big. We know that the way we make change in our communities and world is by actively fostering curiosity. We gain so much when we have the humility to listen to others who are different from us, and we’ve seen first hand the powerful creativity that emerges when you bring different communities together. That’s how we work, and it’s how we’re acting on our promise to leave the world better than we found it.
Keep it real. Until we’re willing to be honest about our current situation, the mistakes and outright harms of the past, and our own agendas to shape the future, we can’t move forward in the way we want to. We know that authenticity is the catalyst for building change, and we celebrate it – even when it’s difficult or uncomfortable.
We’re so grateful to have you along for the ride with us, this month and every month. And we’d love to know how you’re celebrating! Drop us a line here, or on social media, so we can celebrate with you.
