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.