A letter to Nonprofit Leaders: On Courage, Agency and Staying the Course

Through the rugged paths we find strength.

Dear nonprofit leaders,

As April comes to an end, I know many of us are carrying more than we often show.

The past few months have been tough for us all in varying measures, and I personally struggled to stay motivated and energetic about the journey we are on.

But this past week, with space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with my sages, allies, champions, and mentors, I found new energy to keep going. I am grateful for my village.

Here are the reminders that anchored me, perhaps they might serve you too:

• The only way is THROUGH. Steve Biko's words have been echoing as decisions are made elsewhere that affect us profoundly: "Africans, you are alone." -so let us keep crafting African rooted solutions in this time, it will call for courage. Courage means acting despite fear. Courage builds capacity. Capacity builds confidence. And confidence fuels the journey forward.

• Failure is not final. Every setback is simply a First, Second, Third Attempt In Learning. It’s feedback, not a verdict. Resilience is built step by step. Remember, if you do not quit, you have not failed. Do not retreat.

• Invent a new game when the old one traps you. Don’t stay stuck in overwhelm - create, adapt, and keep moving.

• Stay agile. Upskill when needed, respond to change, stay ahead.

• Surround yourself with those who uplift and champion you. Growth rarely happens in isolation.

• Remain true to yourself - unapologetically. Even when your path seems unclear, stay rooted in your vision.

• Make decisions grounded in facts and instincts. Speak with strength, not volume. Trust yourself - your instincts have carried you this far.

While just now, it may feel more than ever that we live in a system that sometimes offers a veneer of fairness, while continuing to entrench privilege. But our work, even when it feels invisible - chips away at these foundations. Every small act matters. Victory, in whatever form you dream for yourself and your community, is coming.

Own your narrative.

Be mindful of the stories you tell yourself. Those internal voices , whether a narrator or a committee, may be trying to keep you safe, but they can also hold you back. YOU are the narrator. You are the creator of the next chapter.

We are agents of change.

We are not bouncing back, we are becoming.

We are adapting. We are building. We are evolving.

For those leading organizations: remind your Boards and teams - innovation, experimentation, and growth are vital right now.

Fear must not hold us hostage.

We are navigating real and turbulent storms, but storms also clear new paths.

I look forward to hearing, in weeks, months, or years -what this season has made possible for you.

It remains a journey, and we are still becoming.

As you continue, remember:

• Empathy and self-awareness are your superpowers.

• The work you are doing matters - more than you know.

• What is most resisted is often what matters most. 

Keep going.

There is more victory ahead than you can yet imagine.

🌿 I would love to hear how you are navigating these times - what is this season teaching you?