This list is not comprehensive. Lots of other good things happened in my life, and some devasting things, but those are for me, for now!
Time in Charlotte: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I moved back to Charlotte in late 2023 and was able to be there for just over a year. It was great to reconnect with people I hadn't seen in the years I lived in the mountains and during the height of COVID. I am thankful for that time. 4 stars.
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Layoff: ⭐️
After 4 years, and as the longest-serving employee, I was the first of many layoffs from the organization at which I worked. When I accepted the position in 2019, I had been working in coalition with the organization for 11 years, and I thought the new leadership would be a great change to the organization. It was the job and circumstances I had waited for so far in my career. Instead, I experienced 4 years of psychological manipulation and the ruthless, systematic dismantling of my confidence. Many of us were deeply undervalued and mistreated. I've been afraid to talk about it, because of possible repercussions in my current and future career, but one day I will, when the potential benefits outweigh the costs. The job and the layoff process were brutal, but they opened me up to my current position and taught me a lot about myself, so I give it 1 star.
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Side Gigs: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I had a couple great side gigs, including writing grants for Charlotte Trans Health and connecting Unitarian Universalist churches across the state to safety and security training as they partnered with Drag Story Hour. I also had the privilege to speak at several churches and organizations, on panels, etc. It was a mixed bag, but overall pretty good! 3.5 stars.
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New Job: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I am thankful that friends pushed me to apply to my current position, despite my hesitancy. My job and my coworkers are the best I've had so far in my career. I'm excited about the opportunity to lead in 2025 and see what we can build out. I've still got some nerves, so 4.5 stars!
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Move to the Triangle: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I was nervous about moving to the Triangle. It was my first time moving alone, with no person to move in with. Rent here is NO JOKE. And it was incredibly difficult to find a place. The job wanted me here by June 15, after a May 1st hire, and I didn't get here until late August. I'm still working on furnishing my place. I miss the people who are in my other homes, and I'm thankful that there are a few people here who have thought about me. Sometimes I worry that people already have all their people; they don't need me, and then people make room for me, and I appreciate that. 4.5 stars
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Unpaid Organizing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Helene hit late September, and the day after I started work coordinating resources with the little communication we had. I started a resource guide that ended up covering all kinds of topics across the region. The volunteer team grew to over 65 and has pivoted to longer-term work in a complex formation, and I was able to move on to other things after mid-October. The guide was updated throughout each day through October, and the social media team posted those updates for people to see (I did the first couple of days). It wouldn't have been possible to continue without all the volunteers who came on, and I'm so grateful. I felt disconnected from WNC during that time when all I wanted to do was *something*. I was able to do this.
I also did other unpaid organizing that I can't talk about here but is very exciting and I love it and the people I get to do it alongside.
I'm constantly working to connect with people on shared interests and humanity around economic justice and our current societal conditions. And this year, I've amped up my communication around Palestine, in an attempt to educate folks about Zionism, the Israeli occupation, and the ongoing genocide. I first mobilized around Palestine in 2014, but I first learned about Zionism and why I should be against it at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly in 2003, when Dr. Tony Campolo spoke about it. I remain devastated at spiritual leaders across faith traditions who spoke out about Ukraine, but not Gaza, about "social justice" organizers/educators who believe that Israel has a right to the mass destruction it is raging.
I love organizing, but many of the reasons we have to organize right now are deeply dark. The other reason is the future we can imagine together. I fundamentally believe that people are supposed to co-create the world and that we all want to have better, and I've seen an overall raising of awareness and solidarity, so I'm practicing hope. 3 stars.
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I'm looking forward to a lot in 2025, but I'm not telling you, because I learned I'm more likely to do things if I haven’t given other people expectations that I’ll do them. 😂
Thank you. Love you.
And there’s a hand, my trusty friend,
And give us a hand o’ thine;
And we’ll take a right goodwill draft,
For auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll buy your pint‐cup,
And surely I’ll buy mine;
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
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