photo by Kim Weston
Welcome to CLP’s newest alums from just-completed Cohort 34! By way of introduction, each new alum offered a reflection on one of two prompts (you can find the other one here).
I give this advice to my kids all the time, the same that I learned from my mom and dad. My whole life — whether it was related to my dad’s construction work, or fixing a car, or some kind of home repair, my mom’s advocacy for us or for others, either of them helping us with homework, relationships, or any kind of problem that needed solving: “If one way doesn’t work, try another way. You don’t stop when challenges are hard to solve. What’s another way you can look at it? Try again!” -Tahnee Cookson Muhammad
…My mother would often tell me, “Don’t let anyone steal your joy.” It sounds simple, but it has become one of the guiding principles of my life. She would also remind me not to let a room, or the people in it, dictate how I feel or how I respond to a situation. As someone who works in advocacy, community organizing, and environmental justice, I have learned that there will always be challenges, setbacks, and people who question your worth or your vision. My mother’s advice taught me that while I may not control what happens around me, I do have control over how I carry myself through it.
Joy is not just an emotion; it is an act of resistance, a source of resilience, and a reminder of who I am and why I do this work. When things become difficult, I think about the people who came before me, the sacrifices they made, and the communities that continue to place their trust in me. Holding onto joy allows me to remain hopeful, grounded, and open-hearted. It reminds me that leadership is not just about solving problems, it’s also about creating spaces where people can dream, heal, celebrate, and thrive. -Jameson Christopher
…my favorite quote/poem, from Rumi: “If you only say one prayer in a day, make it Thank You.” -Anita Sharif-Hyder (CLP 34 Leader)
…from my friend and former colleague, Liza, about parenting. Before I had my first child, she told me that my baby will teach me how to be a parent. While she was not an educator like me, this was also helpful in reassuring me that my approach to teaching and working with young people, through culturally responsive pedagogy and restorative practices, would help me in my parenting. Now, do not get me wrong–I was not at all prepared for the many surprises that came with parenthood (including how hard it would be to be as consistent and clear with my own children as I was with my students). But she was right that if I listened to my children carefully, I would have a better idea of what to do. -Jenny (JHD) Heikkila Diaz
Curated by The Circle’s Creative Director & Editor, Lara Herscovitch (Cohort 10). To reach Lara directly: thecircle@clpnewhaven.org or Lara@LaraHerscovitch.com