Gena makes her presence known weekly. You can see her coming down the street, dressed in a variety of attire—shorts, a cutoff t-shirt, a scarf, and flats. Depending on the time of the month, her voice can be low with a mumble or thundering with all manner of expletives because her medication has run out. I cannot count the number of conversations we have had about birthdays, tissue paper, and rides to the Family Dollar Store. Then there are those moments when I am the “M’fer” or her favorite expletive, “bitch.” Gena is a fixture in the neighborhood, and she is my friend.

Love is a word often thrown around casually. We say we love people, but we also use the same word to describe our feelings for food, fights, and fashion. Unlike the Greek language, which has multiple words for different types of love, English relies on context to convey meaning. Love is both an action and an emotion, experienced in a variety of relationships—marriage, parent and child, or close friendships.

But what about the nonprofit workplace? How can we understand love in the context of nonprofit leadership?
For the purposes of this essay, I define love as an active display of behaviors that affirm human dignity and foster meaningful relationships. Love is actualized publicly through intentional actions that uplift both the giver and the recipient. In nonprofit leadership, love can serve as a powerful force that strengthens organizations and, most importantly, enhances the quality of life for those involved. As a leadership value, love cultivates trust, strengthens relationships, and drives lasting impact in nonprofit organizations.

 Love as a Foundation for Trust in Leadership

Trust is built on the firm belief that an individual will follow through on their commitments. Within nonprofit settings, trust is the glue that strengthens bonds between donors, employees, and beneficiaries. Resources of all types—financial, material, and emotional—are exchanged between these stakeholders with the expectation that they will be used responsibly to support and uplift others. Compassion, an expression of love, plays a critical role in developing and maintaining this trust.

Compassion involves observing another person’s difficult situation and freely participating in their pain to lessen their isolation. Suffering alongside someone is a powerful way to cultivate active listening, better understand their needs, and recognize one’s capacity to help. Compassion creates an opportunity for two individuals to form a bond of reliability and trust that may not have previously existed.

Nonprofit leaders can strengthen trust through acts of compassion in various ways. For instance, when an employee is struggling with a personal difficulty, a leader who takes the time to listen and provide flexibility demonstrates care for their well-being. Similarly, a donor who learns about a client’s specific need and takes the time to meet with them fosters a deeper connection between the donor, the organization, and the client. In moments of suffering or hardship, compassion-driven leadership creates trust and strengthens relationships.

Strengthening Relationships Through Love

Employees experience personal difficulties, and it would be negligent for a leader to ignore this reality. Changes in productivity, punctuality, or behavior may indicate underlying personal struggles. A leader can strengthen relationships with employees by creating an environment where they feel safe and supported in discussing their challenges.

From a leadership perspective, this means fostering a culture where people feel valued and heard. One-on-one meetings should sometimes be informal rather than purely structured. Put away the tablet or notepad and engage in active listening. Remember, employees spend more time at work than at home, and personal struggles inevitably affect their professional lives. If listening to personal issues is not your strength, develop this skill. Additionally, consider partnering with local agencies that provide counseling support and training to equip employees with resources to navigate personal challenges.

Investing time and resources in strengthening relationships between leaders and employees can be a game-changer in fostering a workplace culture driven by love and support.

Love as a Catalyst for Organizational Growth and Impact

In Star Trek: Into Darkness, the character Khan is interrogated by Captain Kirk and Spock. With tears streaming down his face, he says, “My crew is my family. Is there anything you would not do for your family?” While I am not suggesting that nonprofit leaders adopt Khan’s extreme measures, I can empathize with his deep sense of commitment to those he led.

Love can profoundly influence the motivation and commitment of leaders toward their teams and the people they serve. Organizational growth, increased capacity, and programmatic impact can all be consequences of leadership that prioritizes trust and strong relationships.

A culture of love, when embedded in an organization’s vision, mission, and values, can catalyze new ideas, foster collaboration between donors, employees, and clients, and drive meaningful change. Compassionate leadership rooted in love and focused on human flourishing can propel an organization toward new and transformative opportunities.

Practical Steps for Incorporating Love in Nonprofit Leadership

Here are some actionable steps to integrate love into nonprofit leadership:
1. Prioritize Relational Leadership – Spend intentional time fostering connections with staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries.

2. Model Compassionate Communication – Demonstrate empathy and kindness in every interaction. Sit with an employee in their difficulty without rushing to solve the problem.

3. Celebrate Contributions – Regularly acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of team members and supporters.

4. Empower Others – Equip individuals to take ownership of their roles and provide opportunities for growth. As I tell my team, “I want your fingerprints all over this project!”

​Love is an indispensable leadership value that can transform nonprofits by nurturing trust, strengthening relationships, and amplifying impact. Love is not a sign of weakness but a foundation of strength and resilience, even in the face of organizational challenges. Nonprofit leaders who embrace love as a guiding principle will foster meaningful change in their organizations and communities.


When love leads, lasting relationships and transformative impact follow.

Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, one of the most significant thinkers, economists, and historians in American history, was the first Black American to earn a doctorate from Harvard. In his groundbreaking book, The Souls of Black Folk, he delivers a profound critique and visionary perspective on the future of Black life in America, as well as the broader human race in the twentieth century. He writes, “It is, then, the strife of all honorable men of the twentieth century to see that in the future competition of races the survival of the fittest shall mean the triumph of the good, the beautiful, and the true; that we may be able to preserve for future civilization all that is really fine and noble and strong, and not continue to put a premium on greed and imprudence and cruelty” (The Souls of Black Folk, 1903, p. 118).

Understanding America

America has always intrigued me. I frequently reflect on my place in this country, its founding ideals, and the question, "What would the founders think about America today?" When starting something new, there’s always a vision for what it could become, but the reality often diverges from those expectations. Would the founders have anticipated the Civil War, women’s suffrage, public education, career politicians, or the many wars? What would they think of a Black president serving two terms?

America often reveals a contradictory stance on human dignity, both socially and politically. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal," yet Public Enemy critiques this claim, shouting, "Picture us coolin’ out on the Fourth of July, and if you heard we were celebrating that’s a world-wide lie" (Louder Than a Bomb, 1988). This nation, which declared the equality of all men, simultaneously supported systems of enslavement, disenfranchisement, and legalized dehumanization. America remains a paradox—a place where liberty was proclaimed, yet slavery was practiced; where freedom was declared, yet support for newly freed individuals was scarce.

What does America mean to me? It is a land of powerful movements, grounded in its ideals of equality, that have propelled advances in voting rights, education, housing, and technology. Yet it is also a nation of contradictions—a home striving for life and happiness while Black babies face disproportionate abortion rates and many families languish in poverty. America is a house filled with opportunities but plagued by disparities.

The People of America

“I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,
I am the Negro bearing slavery’s scars.
I am the red man driven from the land,
I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek--
And finding only the same old stupid plan.  
Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.”
—Langston Hughes

America is a mosaic of diverse people, bound together by shared struggles and aspirations. Langston Hughes captures this reality, depicting a population united by suffering yet driven by hope. Different groups have faced varying degrees of adversity, often inflicted by their own government. Still, the collective dream of opportunity binds Americans together.

Over generations, America’s people have made remarkable progress. I celebrate the contributions of individuals from all backgrounds who have shaped this nation. Yet, Hughes’s words remind us that many remain scarred and marginalized, clinging to the hope of a better future. Du Bois and Hughes both call us to embrace what is good, beautiful, and true, encouraging us to advance socially and politically while rejecting practices that diminish human dignity.

Recognizing Human Worth

I believe that every individual is created in the image and likeness of God. This belief in the *imago Dei* affirms that all humans—regardless of status—possess intrinsic dignity and worth. No system or ideology can erase this inherent value, even though history is filled with attempts to do so.

For over 17 years, the City of Hope Outreach (CoHO) has worked to embody this belief through social and political engagement. Socially, we strive to affirm the worth of every person we encounter, fostering collaboration over colonialism and partnership over paternalism. Politically, we aim to highlight the positive contributions of the poor to society. Martha Nussbaum emphasizes the role of politicians in either creating barriers or dismantling them, and we seek to advocate for policies that promote justice and equality.

How are you engaging in this American landscape? While polarization and tribalism increase, it is vital to resist these forces. Social media amplifies arguments, and public discourse often fosters division. But what does America mean to you? How can you contribute to its ideals?

Du Bois challenges us to pursue what is good, beautiful, and true. Nussbaum calls for dismantling barriers that perpetuate inequality. Both provide a framework for meaningful engagement.

The Path Forward

Today would be ninety-six years old. Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. offers guidance for moving forward. Interestingly, Du Bois passed away on August 27, 1963, just one day before King delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. In *Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?*, King warns that America faces a choice between building a community united by shared humanity or succumbing to chaos driven by division.

First, we must learn to live as a healthy family within this shared house called America. A healthy family embraces diversity, celebrates victories, mourns losses, and supports all members. We have a collective responsibility to steward this nation for future generations.

Second, we must take actions that uplift individuals and society. Poverty remains a glaring issue, and as King stated, “If democracy is to have breadth of meaning, it is necessary to adjust this inequity.” Creating new opportunities for the disadvantaged is essential. We must shine as sources of hope in the lives of others.

Finally, we must practice compassion in our interactions. While we cannot control someone’s identity, we can control our perceptions and actions. Dr. King reminds us, “There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.” Compassion enables us to bridge divides and recognize our shared humanity.

​Let us move forward with a fervent commitment to love, justice, and community, striving to create a nation that aligns with its highest ideals.

The 2013 release of Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill, sparked considerable debate among Superman fans and comic book enthusiasts. For some, the depiction of a brooding Superman seemed too similar to Batman. Others were unsettled by Superman’s choice to end General Zod’s life. Yet, some viewers appreciated the film’s ambitious scope and its portrayal of a hero grappling with his purpose. Despite the differing opinions, one theme in the movie resonated deeply with me.

Kal-El’s father, Jor-El, offered his son a profound vision and purpose. Jor-El declared:

"They can be a great people, Kal-El, if they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... my only son."

Leadership often reflects this sentiment. Leaders arise within organizations to provide direction, enabling others to achieve greatness by recognizing and fostering their potential.

At its core, human dignity rests on the belief that every individual is made in the image of God. This foundational truth grants people an intrinsic worth and the capacity to flourish—in their relationships, creativity, and stewardship of the Earth.

Leadership, as I define it, is the ability to influence others through purpose, direction, and motivation to achieve shared goals over time. Effective leaders cultivate relationships to support goal achievement while implementing plans that sustain and enhance the group’s long-term success. Leadership styles vary—transactional, transformational, servant, and authentic leadership each offer unique methods to inspire and guide others. This diversity highlights that no single approach fits every context or individual.

Ultimately, leadership centers on human connection: one person influencing others. This connection is rooted in the shared understanding that all individuals possess dignity and value. Recognizing this has significant implications for nonprofit leadership.

First, affirming human dignity transforms workplace relationships. Leaders who treat employees with respect and acknowledgment create an environment where individual well-being is prioritized. Employees should experience a workplace culture where the language, values, and resource allocation demonstrate a genuine commitment to their dignity and development.

Second, fostering dignity improves team morale. When employees feel valued, they derive satisfaction from their contributions and from collaborating with others. Achieving challenging goals and celebrating those accomplishments together is deeply rewarding. Leaders can boost morale by publicly recognizing employee achievements, engaging in one-on-one conversations to address needs, and empowering employees to take ownership of the organization’s mission and vision.

Finally, organizational success relies on leadership that nurtures a culture of dignity and collaboration. Progress stems from effective planning and resource utilization, both of which depend on motivated and engaged individuals. When employees feel affirmed and the team functions with high morale, the organization is more likely to achieve its goals.

One practice I implemented at the end of staff meetings is called "Encourage to the Left." This activity invites each staff member to offer encouragement to a colleague of their choice. Everyone, including myself, has the opportunity to both give and receive encouragement. This practice underscores to the team that their emotional and psychological well-being is as vital, if not more so, than a project update or financial report.

How can leaders uphold and recognize human dignity in their organizations? Here are three practical steps:

1. Actively Listen: Create opportunities for informal and formal conversations where you focus on truly hearing your employees. Use open-ended questions to encourage them to share their ideas and concerns. Even if immediate action is not possible, listening fosters trust and respect.
2. Empower Employees: Provide opportunities for employees to take ownership of the organization’s vision and mission. Beyond their job descriptions, encourage them to plan, execute, and evaluate initiatives. Offer guidance, step back, and periodically check in—allowing them to grow and thrive.
3. Model Respect: Regularly recognize and appreciate employee contributions. This doesn’t require elaborate ceremonies; a simple thank-you or a word of encouragement during a meeting can have a profound impact. Over time, these actions cultivate a workplace culture of mutual respect and affirmation.

By adopting these practices, leaders can create environments where human dignity is not only acknowledged but celebrated, paving the way for personal and organizational growth.

​Human dignity—the immeasurable worth and value inherent in every individual—is a cornerstone of effective leadership. Leaders bear the ethical responsibility to cultivate workplaces that affirm this dignity and foster environments where people flourish. In 2025, let’s commit to leadership that recognizes and honors the extraordinary worth in every person we encounter.

“Tortoises can tell you more about the road than hares.” Khalil Gibran.

I want to honor a friend who passed on to the next great adventure in life. Gary Harrison found comfort in the writer Khalil Gibran. He discovered him in prison and multiple times in a drunken stupor, Gary would quote to me words written by Khalil. I did not find them significant at the time. I observed the annunciation of those words simply as the ramblings of a tortured tired alcoholic.  Years later, my rediscovery of Gibran has led me to appreciate even more deeply the times I spent with my friend. 

Time. Depending on the context it can move swiftly or appear to have come to a halt. It is interesting at what points of life and even in a day we are cognizant about time. There are experiences of suffering in which we want time to move quickly and then there are those moments of enjoyment and pleasure when we desire time to come to a halt as we enjoy the beauty of the face, the aroma which dances upon our nostrils, or music upon our ears. We should want to take time and pay attention to what excites our senses. The precarious nature of Life should lead us to stop running or even briskly walking because of what can be missed. 

​A tortoise approach to life is not bad for our mental, emotional, or physical wellbeing. The ability to move slowly and dare I say pause, can offer the opportunities to see a little bit more clearly.  When I move fast, I will miss things. Variables which if I had taken the “time” to pay attention would have offered me more information to make a better decision or chosen different words. I can move like the hare. I can swiftly and decisively but is that or will that always be the case? My culture celebrates the hare because it appears flashy, exciting, and the take charge personality. The hare moves bounding from one point to the next arriving at its destination with the appearance of strength. Yet what if, over the journey, the hare missed the “why” of the journey? What if over the race of life, the tortoise discovered the answer to one of those profound questions such as “Why are we on this road to begin with?” Or “Why is this journey even framed as a competition?” Gibran saw a lesson of life in the slow moving tortoise which can be a helpful instructive to human beings, especially in the West. Slow down. Yes, accomplish what you have set as goals and move towards those goals not with break neck speed all the time.

Take moments to slow down, breathe, study the blade of grass, and the uneven nature of the road. The wise man or woman who has a better knowledge of the road will know when to move like a tortoise and then like a hare. 

You expose yourself in complete nakedness. I’m not  referring to the exposure of your physical body rather the clothed aspects of your mental and emotional wellbeing. Hidden behind the walls or boundaries meant to protect your true self, without hesitation those protections fall. 

​The manner in which you communicate is now different as you ask questions which will hopefully reveal more of yourself. Every word you offer and every thought which races through your mind are meant to increase vulnerability allowing the entrance of whose embrace you have resisted. 

Why would you choose to be naked? Why would you choose to reveal the innermost parts of yourself with the possibility of being abandoned and broken? 

Why would you choose love? 

I imagine we choose love because the alternative is becoming a person who is dispassionate and psychopathic. An individual who has closed the self off to the world and all of the beautiful tragedies which create empathy. The alternative is an individual in his or her own personal perdition. A life absent of love is pain and suffering consuming the individual and in time rolling like a devastating agony upon the lives others.​
Why should you love? You should love because the joy and pain found in the experience is a far greater expression of human dignity than the agony of remaining clothed. 

Maybe it is a portion of the human experience to reflect on suffering and the lack within our daily lives. Such a reflection can influence how each of us approach life and how we will go about creating for ourselves an environment in which gratitude becomes commonplace. How hard do we have to work in order to have a mindset of gratitude? 

All around us are examples of technological advancements which have created ease within our lives. Our level of knowledge and accumulation of wisdom due to previous failures contributes to our ability to create in new ways. My ability to be grateful does not come easily and I can imagine there are millions of other men and women who wrestle with cultivating such an attitude and activity.  I wrestle with the attitude and while my adversary is working my mind and my body to have me submit and thus produce a hopeful way of looking at life, I contend with my full being. At some point the sun is going to rise and gratitude will execute some maneuver which will lead me to limp and find gratitude in the fact more could have been done to change my mind. It was the wrestling and difficulty which while humbling my being produced in me a level of gratitude because so much more could have been taken from me during the experience. 

So, while I should not compare my situation to another, I have to look over and observe my neighbor. “He left with not only a limp but also the loss of one eye.” I look behind me and see my other neighbor who limps but also has lost her home. Gratitude finds a way even with all of my technological knowledge and what I thought was a high degree of intelligence to humble my mind and cause me to announce in some manner, “Thank you for what I do have.” 

Secondly, gratitude leads us to focus inwardly and at some point each of us should take the moment to look outwardly and the development of our environmental circumstances. Surely, we should rejoice that the movement of our own bodies or the products we have produced are no longer conducted with our bodies solely. Centuries have passed and the ability to transport has moved from months, to weeks, to days, and now to hours. At some point in our future, as knowledge increases, creativity is stimulated, our ability to move from one fixed point to another will be in the matter of minutes. Imagine the profound impact such an advancement will have on the quality of life of individuals in terms of education, movement of food, and an event so critical as seeing a loved one for his or her final moments before transcending this earthly coil.

​The opportunities for gratitude are numerous and we should pursue being less busy at times to simply pause and reflect on what we do possess, how far we have come as a human race, and the possibilities which lay before us. 

I received the text on Saturday July 14, 2024 at 5:45 pm. “Trump got shot at.” I turned on my television and watched the replay of the assassination attempt. My immediate reaction was not concern for the welfare of the former President. Immediately my mind went to the state of our country. Silently, I have feared such an event could be possible in country.  Events which are more common place in Third World countries and unstable nations, are slowly becoming more common place in our country. 

In other places and other times I have written on the importance of civility.  Civility is a necessary to resolve conflicts and develop actionable solutions which are in accordance with human flourishing and human decency. As a virtue, our ability to practice civility can be invigorated by reminding ourselves each individual and group with whom we have interaction possesses a rich dignity. Our human dignity is a reflection of the imago Dei and the possession of this dignity is not limited to social, economic, political, or religious affiliation rather such possession is the reality of all persons from conception. If we allow the richness of our humanity to mediate our conversations with each other, either face to face or on social media, imagine the possibilities for our small city, state, and nation.

Assassination attempts, mocking the elderly for diminishing mental and physical health, destroying public and private property in order to gain a hearing, are all manifestations of a culture which has lost sight of human dignity and human flourishing. In our pursuit for such experiences like freedom, equality, equity, or justice, the easier and more damaging roads of verbal and physical violence are becoming the paths of choice.  There is no courage or honor in those who have chosen to navigate the roads of incivility taking as many citizen with them towards a devastating crash. Sadly, such decisions are those of wandering men and women who have lost focus and meaning for life. 
​
Where are our eyes fixed as a nation? As human beings we are designed to move towards what our physical eyes have in sharp focus. As travelers need a fixed point or north star which will guide the navigational decisions, we as a nation need a fixed point.  It is a fixed which assists our efforts in decision making regarding the best direction for our local communities, states, and nation. Civility, in my estimation needs to be the star to which we point.  It is a star which does not consider gender, ethnicity, economic, or political class. Civility between citizens can offer a destination which will benefit as many individuals who are willing to take this road less traveled. 

Legacy. The word legacy is defined as the long lasting impact of particular events, action, etc., that took place in the past or in someone’s life. I have heard the work legacy mentioned multiple times this year. I can possibly chalk it up to my age, I have crossed the threshold of fifty-years. The first portion of the definition considers time or duration of the phenomenon under consideration. There is a “long lasting…” impact of the phenomenon. The phenomenon stretches from a point of origin. At a particular period, an action was taken with intention which proceeded further than what was originally considered. The action taken considered multiple variables and as a result, its impact has a length stretching beyond its original point because of the influence on individual and other groups of people.

A small boat on a still pond can be propelled forward with the appropriate action. When a stone is thrown into a pond the connection between water and stone is immediately observed. The small child who has picked up the stone and hurled it towards the still water will see the splash and the resulting growth of ripples. The child sees larger and larger ripples until the pond enters into a new state of stillness. This illustration aids our understanding of the word “impact.” Impact has two definitions. Impact is defined first as, “the action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another.” The second definition of impact which aids our understanding of legacy, “to have as strong effect on someone or something.”

Individuals in the course of life come into contact with someone or something else. There are an infinite number of reasons as to why these interactions occur. We have a high degree of certainty the opportunities of contact will result in some degree of change for the individuals involved or the object acted upon by the individual. Each day individuals live as agents actively and passively creating impact. Individuals who come in contact with each other have the opportunity to effect some type of change which will create ripple effects in the life of another.

Living in Conway I have determined to live in such a manner there is a significant impact and lasting legacy for individuals and families who have had no opportunities or limited opportunities. Housing is one of those opportunities, a small ship on a pond called Conway, needing a stone thrown in the waters to create opportunities of human flourishing. It is my hope, as we increase quality and affordable housing for our neighbors in Conway, the city as a whole would experience the ripple effects of compassion. CoHO Hope Village will be one of those stones. The men, women, and children who I have had the opportunity to serve related to educational and housing opportunities, gathering people to discuss hard topics, and in a
larger way celebrate our beautiful humanity has been and continues to be a privilege.

Here is my encouragement to you today and I hope this inspires you to look at where you live and see what legacy you can create. Identify something in front of you that is heavy. Put it on your shoulders and take one small step in front of the other.  It will be difficult and you will have onlookers who are inspired to cheer and in some moments help you carry the load. Carry the heavy object in a manner that requires your focus, your drive, and if need be, your very life. Live in such way that when you pass from this mortal coil you leave both an example and substantive change that impacts those coming behind you.