Dear friends,

My usually late update is even later than usual because there’s so much going on. While the info in this newsletter might feel “all over the place,” you’ll see, by the end, that there’s method in the madness. But first, the madness:

Moral Courage and GAN are now co-creating a toolkit that will equip young entrepreneurs to foster work cultures that are innovative and, at the same time, inclusive. This will require practicing the kind of diversity that embraces different viewpoints, not just different demographics.

That’s the core feature of “Diversity Without Division,” the Moral Courage alternative to mainstream DEI. Our collaboration with GAN brings us closer to scaling this alternative for a new generation of doers. 

But we’re not stopping with adults, young or otherwise...

Besides creating this sing-along video, we’re about to launch a campaign to get elementary school communities filming their own videos of singing (or rapping) the tune together. 

Higher ed isn’t highly educated about how to reconcile free speech and social justice. Hence my next announcement: 
 
The Moral Courage team is cultivating a coalition of colleges and universities that will train staff and students to adopt a unifying approach to DEI. This isn’t about issuing press releases or signing statements. This is about practical action. Translation: Every year, Moral Courage campuses will:

• Enroll 50-100 people in our “Diversity Without Division” online course; and
• Send four individuals through our Mentor certification program so that these campuses have skilled people on-site to model, practice, and teach diversity without division.

That brings me to my final announcement…

We’ve certified our very first cohort of Moral Courage Mentors! Some are teachers. Others are equality activists. And one is a deputy superintendent of police. All will go back to their jobs and mentor colleagues to turn contentious issues into constructive conversations and healthy teamwork. 

In March 2023, we’ll be selecting our next cohort of Mentor-candidates. Want to be considered? Learn how to apply.

So, friends, you can glimpse the method behind the mad flurry of activity. We’re serving our three core audiences — business, higher ed, and K-12 schools— as well as cultivating a roster of Moral Courage Mentors who’ll serve their own organizations. 

Can we sustain this pace? In due course, I’ll reveal my strategy for ensuring just that. It’ll take a little luck, a lot of work, and self-care sprinkled throughout. Because some of us (ahem!) need our beauty sleep more than others…