5 Things / Service
Listen to this episode:
This week, I’ve been thinking about the horrible destruction and loss from Hurricane Helene. I’ve noticed a common theme shared by my friends and colleagues affected by the storm: people coming together in service to others. Good people compassionately showing up to help.
I’m an AmeriCorps alum (it’s like the domestic Peace Corps). At one point during my service, we assisted the National Guard in building sandbags and rescuing people and pets from flooded homes. My favorite part of service has always been the beautiful diversity of people coming together as a team toward a common goal. Conversations make the time pass more quickly when you’re filling sandbags with strangers.
Service brings people together. Compassion and curiosity are antidotes to assumptions and misunderstandings. It’s hard to dislike people we’re grateful for.
Don’t forget: Monday is the one year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war…acknowledge it, and give folks some grace.
Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:
Levi's: Voting Rights Never Go Out of Style
Levi's continues a legacy of supporting voter turnout with the "Community College Commitment" campaign, aiming to register 500,000 new college-age voters by 2028. Partnering with brands like Lyft and Spotify, Levi's targets underrepresented community college students, whose voter turnout lags nearly 10 percentage points behind four-year university peers. Levi’s encourages its workers to participate in civic activities, like voting or becoming poll workers, giving them a sense of purpose beyond their job roles. ♐Empower employees and communities through civic participation!
Women Leading NFL—And Winning!
The Carolina Panthers’ 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders marked a historic milestone: the first-ever NFL game between two teams led by women presidents, Kristi Coleman and Sandra Douglass Morgan. Beyond the score, this game is a major step for gender representation in sports leadership. Both Coleman and Douglass Morgan have shattered glass ceilings, proving women can lead in male-dominated fields. By fostering diverse leadership, they show that football is for everyone. ♐Women’s leadership strengthens businesses – yes, even in sports.
Bye-Bye, Legacy Privilege!
California just made a big move by banning legacy admissions at private universities like Stanford and USC. The law tackles long-standing inequality in college admissions, where children of alumni or donors get a leg up. This matters because several major colleges have seen a decrease in the enrollment of Black and Hispanic or Latino students in the wake of the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling that limited the use of race in college admissions. Legacy admissions uphold a system that favors privileged groups, where about 14% of students at these schools benefit from legacy ties. This is a step toward leveling the playing field in higher education. ♐Merit and hard work matter more than family connections.
BoA Boosts Teller Pay
Bank of America boosted pay for hourly workers to $24 per hour. This raise—part of their plan to reach $25 by next year—affects thousands of employees, particularly bank tellers and call center staff. While this move lifts wages well above the national median of $18.10 for tellers, remember, bank executives earn millions. This new wage may particularly benefit BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) workers, who are disproportionately represented in lower-wage, customer-facing jobs like bank tellers and call-center employees. ♐Addressing income disparity fosters equity in the workplace.
Outing Isn't an Option Anymore
New Hampshire's supreme court upheld a school policy that protects transgender students' privacy, preventing staff from disclosing their gender identity without consent. The ruling ensures that students can come out to their families on their terms—a crucial safeguard for their emotional well-being. With LGBTQ+ youth already 120% more likely to experience homelessness, privacy protections like this reduce harm and promote safety. This landmark decision could set a national precedent for similar policies in other states. ♐Create safe environments for everyone to come out on their own terms.
Good Vibes to Go:
There are a number of Jewish holidays coming up – and Rosh Hoshana just wrapped. Learn the dates and some tips for your team in this LinkedIn post by Nate Shalev.