I am the son of an incredibly resilient,  strong black woman who understood the power of community. She built communities in every space she occupied: at work, with the family, at our church, among her girlfriends. Each was different, and she moved between them with an effortless grace that was very clear to me even as a young boy. Whenever we left a family gathering, invariably she’d turn around to us in the back seat and say: “You need to love these people (our cousins) because one day you may have to depend on them, and you want them on your side – in your corner. One day we’ll be gone, and you will need them and they will need you. Be there for them. Do not turn your back on them no matter what happens.”

 

When deciding on a major in college I chose Sociology because I wanted to learn how communities are formed and how they work. My emphasis was on youth and human service. My life and career has focused all these years on the work of studying community. I was told that there’s nothing that can come from the field. “Study accounting,” someone once said. Fortunately I didn’t take that advice and as a result my 50-year working career is filled with fun and learning, love shared and care by people, many of whom I remain close with to this day.

 

Today, my favorite spaces remain the family, our church, The Center, and Brothers of the Desert. I was one of 20 or 30 people who helped form Brothers of the Desert here in the valley. Our service to the community has been a great way for me to give back to the Black and LGBTQ + community I inhabit each day. Community can and does make change. I’ve seen this in my life. It is a wonderful gift to witness such change. Now more than ever community is literally the cornerstone which can (and I think will) make this community and the country great for each of us.