"American Welfare," publishing soon, explores the widening gap between national narratives and personal experiences. It argues for viewing well-being as vital infrastructure, advocating for redesigned support systems to foster accessibility, connection, and community resilience.
Why justice requires both compassion and structural change—and how we can build it together. Each year on this day, we return to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words not only to honor his legacy, but to reflect on our own work—the work of building communities where everyone can flourish. King…
Frederick Douglass emphasized the necessary connection between struggle and progress, urging us to confront societal structures that limit opportunity. His insights encourage a commitment to inclusivity, challenging narratives, and designing systems for collective thriving as we enter 2026.
Belonging is intentionally created through design and policy choices, not just a hopeful feeling. It's essential for community building, requiring intentional systems to foster inclusion and support, as emphasized in john a. powell's work.
The post emphasizes the importance of often unnoticed systems like human services in public life. It advocates for collaborative design with affected communities to enhance democratic health and well-being.
Recently, a long-time colleague and I were talking about the launch of this blog and my interest in helping leaders drive systems change. She asked me: “What is systems change, anyway? Many of us use that term freely, but do we really know what we’re asking for, let alone what…