I remember like it was yesterday. In December 2014, I was thrilled and very grateful that a year that had largely been very difficult and terrible in many ways had shifted and was almost over. As I was organizing my condo, I was in my walk in closet and was a touch horrified at how many clothes and shoes I had. And the relationship between my bank accounts and my clothes and shoes. I decided that I did not want to continue to make the owners/designers/stores/shops any more wealthy than they presently were.

The new rules were that I could purchase items if one of two rules were true: (1) I was redeeming/using a gift card/gift certificate or (2) I actually needed the item. Like for real need, not want.

I was stunned, and not at all shocked, when I started reading stories and watching video/hearing audio of Africans who were being denied access to neighboring countries and being blocked from fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It was and is unconscionable. I had to be still and lament, pray, and meditate on what I should do to come alongside these people, many of whom are international students. I thought about my Dad who was an international student in the US decades ago. I also think about why many Africans opted to pursue their degrees in Ukraine compared to the US or the UK. It was usually related to financial considerations. This broke my heart even more. The racism, mistreatment, and discrimination many are facing. This is also a class issue. To that end, I knew I had to do something and yet was unsure with whom I could partner.

I decided that the folks who had experienced the loss deserved to have a voice and the subsequent healing that would take place by talking. I organized a town hall (before town halls were en vogue) that was attended by the Ann Arbor Mayor, the Chief of Police for the Ann Arbor Police Department, the Fire Chief and concerned and affected community members (parents and students).