During times of uncertainty, I lean into community and reflection, and I lean into what I know to be true. One thing I know for certain is that right now the world needs more leaders who believe that it is possible for everyone to win; leaders who believe that life does not have to be a zero sum game where in order for some people to move forward, others must lose. Now more than ever, we need leaders who are committed to maximizing opportunities for all.
Another thing I know to be true is that young people want to make a difference but don’t know how or where to start. We have a responsibility to those young people — to guide, support and give a platform to young leaders that share our vision for a future that will work for everyone. We have a responsibility to invest in their leadership in the same way that prior generations invested in our own.
I am the leader I am today because of Public Allies. Thirty years ago, Public Allies invited me into a space that spoke to the solutions of tomorrow and how I could be a part of those solutions. Our call to action is to create these spaces for the leaders of tomorrow: leaders who will create economic opportunity for all, foster community and collaboration, champion civic engagement, and leaders who will be bridge builders to eradicate the great divide that exists in our nation today.
We know that many leaders in our network are tired, and it can be tempting to take a step back. But we can not relent and give up on the necessity to mold and shape the next generation of civic leaders. Now is not the time to step back. Now is the time to step forward.
If you share in my vision and the vision of what is possible through the work we do at Public Allies, please donate today. Make an investment today in the kind of leaders we want to see tomorrow.
Forward together,
Jenise Terrell
CEO
Public Allies, Inc.