photo by Bogdan Dirica courtesy Pexels
Reflections from throughout the year on who — and what — keeps us going:
“No matter how difficult it gets, the generosity and the positive human spirit continues to show up… We keep hope alive by the examples we make for those that are watching. The examples we leave behind.” –Amos Smith (Cohort 6) Interview
“And this morning, as if I needed a further sign from the gods that I’m okay. And you’re ok. And the world is going to be okay, the patron saint of gangly, nerdy, misunderstood, mouthy women – Phoebe Waller-Bridge – made a guest appearance…” –Jennifer Aniskovich (Cohort 10), Outrageous
“As I welcome that quote and have learned more of Howard Thurman’s life, the walking of this path of awakening and courage is clearer and easier.” –Baba Onígbọ̀nná Enroue Halfkenny (Cohort 10), On this grey morning
“Such an amazing, healing space. It is a real life Wakanda.” –Anna Blanding (Cohort 4), Black Investment, Ownership and Wealth (Part 2)
“These are educators who have the patience and dedication and welcome all children, including children like my sibling. They work unbelievably hard and they do such an incredible job. I’m in awe of what they do all day, every day…” –Jessica Sager (Cohort 1), Caring for Caregivers
“I share my story and my dancing in hopes that others also drop the veil of disassociation and find their voice, beauty, intelligence, strength and resilience that lives within.” –Jolyn Walker (Cohort 9), Freedom & Faith
“It really impacted me as a Puerto Rican, coming into that system with real representation; I never went to a school where I wasn’t represented — which was healthy for me.” –Marina Rodriguez (Cohort 22), Enduring & Overcoming: Family, Mentors & Support
“It was a call to move forward with courage instead of comfort… It is more than words; it’s a declaration, a reminder that we can overcome obstacles, and how we speak to ourselves shapes how we show up.” –Maria Solomon (Cohort 31), Embracing the Journey of Becoming
“I like to look elsewhere and see how other people are tinkering and developing new concepts and ideas… when you start to mix all of those things together that really gets me excited about the future, about creating new possibilities of seeing, of making, of generating ideas and collaborations.” –Daniel Pizarro (Cohort 25)
“we can overthink our walk, our journey, and complicate it. And you know what? It’s really meant to be lived. So when I’m living in it, there’s a peace.” –Stephen Mikolike (Cohort 28) Interview
“When I want to change what I do, the first question I should ask is, ‘why is this change important or necessary?’ That Why –- because I want to feel better, because I want my work to work, because I value being reliable, and so on — becomes the objective for what I do next.” –Cameo Thorne (Cohort 27), Understanding Is the Prize
“In the wise words of Maya Angelou, ‘Do the best you can until you know better, then when you know better, do better.’” –Janis Astor del Valle (Cohort 10), Telling the Truth
“It’s not just a win for policy, it’s a win for people. It’s for parents, for providers, for children. We’re building something really powerful together.” –Allyx Schiavone (Cohort 16), From Silence to Voice to Victory
“in her knowing, older-sister wise way said, ‘Well, you can’t quit on your worst day; I feel like you’ll regret that. Wait for your best day. So if it’s really hard, today’s not the day you’re gonna quit.’” –Christina Kane (Cohort 26), Wayfinding
“We need to talk about the past. The past always insinuates itself into the present; and this invites us to confront things that can make us uncomfortable or ashamed.” –Gloria Holmes Ph.D. (Cohort 7), Meditations on America Part 2: Mis-Education & Oppression
“Most of us are all-volunteer, we just do it because we love the work and discovery of it.” –Sherill Lee Baldwin (Cohort 12), History, Remembrance & Truth-Telling
“The systems of oppression, the cultural and societal ideas and institutions that perpetuate these various injustices are what we need to remake… we can do so by telling a different story.” –Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, The Power of Storytelling
“I always turn to this quote: ‘It doesn’t matter what you’re looking at, what matters is what you see.’ It’s by Henry David Thoreau. That has resonated in my whole life. It’s not what you’re looking at, it’s the potential that you see in it.” –Carmen Nieves (Cohort 17) Interview
“I AM HER. Not just becoming… but being. Not just surviving…. but thriving. Not just speaking… but listening. Not just healing… but holding space for others as they heal.” –Maria Solomon (Cohort 31), Embracing the Journey of Becoming (Part 2)
“I had to make a decision to shift into courage…” –Miriam Sutton (Cohort 29), Wrestle the Fear, with Brandon Hutchinson (Cohort 17)
Curated by The Circle’s creative director & editor, Lara Herscovitch. To reach Lara directly: thecircle@clpnewhaven.org or Lara@LaraHerscovitch.com