What if we believed?
Hi Reader , The last time we met here I asked you, "Who's inspiring you to be brave and hopeful these days?" Amber Hamilton, President and CEO of the Memphis Music Initiative (MMI), is on that list for me. Her work is expansive. She leads:
Among the many thought-provoking statements that Amber offers in episode 26, this is one that stands out most to me: “We are going to change the world. We will win.
It's just not going to happen tomorrow.
It may not happen the day after tomorrow — but we will win.”
Witnessing events in the world today, our minds find it easy to dismiss Amber's words as hopelessly idealistic. Unreasonable. Impossible. But what if... we - individually, and then collectively - decided to believe that what she said might, or even must, be possible? How would we be thinking about our current political/social moment? What actions would we be taking? How would those of us who are "professional do-gooders" be approaching our work? Look around: we already know what happens when we operate from the belief that we will not win. As we reflect on the insights that Amber shares with us in episode 26, let's challenge ourselves to practice operating from the belief that we will. Peace, Janai PS: Want proof that it's possible to maintain your sense of humor while challenging harmful philanthropic practices? MMI's got you covered. ;)The Straight Cash Homie Jubilee Singers - Cut the Check (Official Music Video) Call & Response Episode One: This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things NEW EPISODEIn Episode 26, it is my pleasure to share my interview with Amber Hamilton, President and CEO of the Memphis Music Initiative/ Philanthropy Disruptor/ Real One. The words that she shared with me were soul food. I’m talking greens, hot water cornbread, and black eyed peas. In 2025, that’s the kind of rich, hearty food that we need to sustain ourselves for the battles ahead these next four years and beyond. I’m not just talking about the fight against the destruction of valued American institutions and of the social safety net which once upon a time made America at least closer to greatness than it is today; I’m talking about the fight against fear and the temptation to silently acquiesce to a new normal which those who are opposed to justice, democracy, unity, and the common good are trying to establish. Of course, after listening to her brilliance on the podcast, you’ll want to know more about Amber and the great work she supports through the Memphis Music Initiative!
I would love to hear what this episode brings up for you! * Listen on
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Janai Gilmore
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Words. A New Episode. Other Goings On. 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...
a young, smiling program manager @ the office in January 2020 Hi Reader , The tension is real for many of us professional do-gooders. We want to change the world. AND we want to pay off our student loans as quickly as possible. We want to be part of the revolution. AND we want to be able to retire one day. We want to dismantle (or at least reimagine) capitalism. AND we want to be able to pay our bills. It’s common for us to hold competing (if not downright contradictory) desires like these as...
@ The Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History, Feb 2025 Hi Reader , Have you seen the documentary Crip Camp (2020)?* If you haven’t, I can’t recommend it to you highly enough. I saw it for the first time last week, when I braved the rain (and the prospect of going to an event where I wouldn’t know anyone) to attend a community screening. The film tells the story of how a radically inclusive camp for physically disabled people inspired former counselors and campers to become...