Words.

A New Episode.

Other Goings On.

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Hi Reader ,

Before 2025, I had a pretty fixed image of what my role in changing the world was and was not. That’s because I had a pretty fixed image of the type of person I was and was not.

I was not a “go-to-a-protest” type person.

I was not a “go-to-Lansing-to-advocate-to-legislators” type person.

I certainly was not a "door knocking,- phone banking,- or-approaching-strangers-at-community-events-for-a- political-campaign" type person.

In short, the image I had of myself, and of my role in changing the world, was not of an activist.

Instead, it was of a professional do-gooder who managed programs, convened focus groups, gave presentations, wrote reports and the like.

My role in the movement for social change, as I imagined it, must come with the legitimacy of a salaried job at a progressive nonprofit or foundation.

Since I returned from my year-long sabbatical in Ghana, though, it hasn’t.

Thankfully, as it turns out, I didn’t need to find that kind of job to find my role. What I needed was to be able and willing to follow my curiosity and move towards spaces, opportunities, and voices to which I felt drawn.

As I’ve done this, I’ve found myself doing things like applying to become a Mothering Justice Mamavist Movement Fellow, showing up at protests, and volunteering for a Detroit Mayoral campaign.

I’ve gotten out of my head, out of my office, out of my comfort zone, out in these streets.

And it’s started to crystallize for me that the calling I sense within myself to help create a more just and humane world is bigger than any "day job".

It’s also bigger than the nonprofit/philanthropy sector.

This truth is at odds with what I believed when I started my career as a professional do-gooder. As Michael Gast states in I Want to Change the World, Episode 28 of – Beyond Philanthropy, “in the US, we're taught that nonprofits are the way we change the world”.

Over the past two years, Mike, through the thought leadership he’s been pushing out into the world as the director of a multimedia project called "Organize the Rich", has been part of the constellation of progressive voices inspiring me to reconsider my place in the work of changing the world.

After you tune into Episode 28, I’d love to hear how/whether you felt seen, spoken to, or stirred by what he shares.

Peace,

Janai

A NEW EPISODE

In Episode 28, I am excited to share my interview with Michael Gast.

Mike has spent 20+ years organizing rich people (like himself) to invest not only their dollars but really their whole selves into creating an economy and social contract that works for everyone.

To be clear, I’m not talking about “philanthropy” in the sense that many of us professional do-gooders think of it; what Mike has been doing for the past 20+ years is about helping build a cross-class, multiracial movement for social justice.

Through our conversation, and more broadly, through the writing and conversations that he puts out into the world as director of a multimedia project called "Organize the Rich", Mike challenges professional do-gooders like me to take off the blinders that we’ve been socialized into.

He invites us to see beyond philanthropy.

After you listen to this interview and become super curious about Mike’s work, you’ll want to:

· Check out his Substack at https://organizetherich.substack.com/​

· Follow him on LinkedIN @Michael Gast

· Tune into his podcasts: Organize the Rich Radio on Spotify or Apple Podcasts​

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Listen to I Want to Change the World on

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Don't forget to rate, review, and share the podcast :-)

Other Goings On

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#1 My business partner and I have launched a new video podcast!

Check out Foresight Talks: "Yes, Yes, AND..." on YouTube.

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#2 I'm speaking at the 7th Annual Afros & Audios Podcast Festival in Baltimore, MD!

I’m speaking at the 7th and final Afros & Audio Podcast Festival, happening October 16–19, 2025 at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore, MD. Afros & Audio has given me the green light to share an exclusive 40% off discount with my community, so if you are an aspiring podcaster, growing creator, or entrepreneur building with audio, this is your invitation to join us. Use code speakerexclusive25 at checkout to secure your seat at this historic event. Learn why past attendees call Afros & Audio a must-attend experience: [Watch on YouTube].

Ping me if you plan to attend!

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