5 Things / Strategic Play
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I'm competing in an LGBTQ pickleball tournament today and slowly finding a queer pickleball community here in Chicago. I played five times this week; I had plenty of time with no keynotes on the schedule. Entrepreneurship brings uncertainty but it also brings the privilege of freedom – if we accept it.
In times of uncertainty, one instinct can be to try to fix, fix, fix (fight). Another could be to make ourselves smaller, to hide (flight). I could be out there networking in all the usual ways. But instead of choosing to hustle and fix, I’m choosing play. Instead of choosing to spiral and hide, I’m choosing community.
This, in turn, leads to a delightful release of endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin. I’m happier and more present in all relationships because I choose to play. Play and community give me the energy to stay focused on my big vision to bring people together across divides. In fact, it’s an opportunity to practice my purpose – there’s a lot of diversity in pickleball.
What if play and community were part of your strategy, not an afterthought? What does that look like for you?
This Week’s Good Vibes:
Philanthropy Steps Up as Safety Nets Shrink
With federal grants and foreign aid frozen under the Trump administration, the MacArthur Foundation and Freedom Together Foundation are increasing their giving to fill the gap—MacArthur by $150 million over two years and Freedom Together doubling its grantmaking to 10% of its endowment. These funds are critical lifelines for marginalized communities most impacted by systemic underfunding, from climate justice to criminal justice reform. ♐️When institutions fail, philanthropy and activism must rise.
Shareholders Oppose Anti-DEI at Deere
Deere investors overwhelmingly rejected an anti-DEI resolution, with only 1.3% support, despite the company backing away from LGBTQ+ pride events last year. The resolution failed alongside similar proposals at Apple and Costco. While political pressure has led some corporations to retreat, shareholder votes suggest investors still see DEI as a strategic advantage, not a liability. ♐️Diversity isn’t just a value—it’s good for business, and investors know it.
Magic: The Gathering Fans Conjure $564K for Trans Lifeline
Magic: The Gathering YouTuber “Tolarian Community College” (creator Brian Lewis) raised over $564,000 for Trans Lifeline, a crisis hotline for transgender people. The channel has an annual fundraiser, but this one set a record. This comes at a crucial time, as the organization had to pause its Microgrants Program due to financial struggles. Despite anti-trans backlash in gaming, major Magic creators rallied together, offering rare cards and collectibles as incentives for donations. Magic has also expanded LGBTQ+ character inclusion. ♐️Communities thrive when they support their most vulnerable.
Black Modernist Architects Finally Get Their Due
Despite shaping the U.S. architectural landscape, Black modernist architects have been overlooked for decades. Now, a $4.6 million Getty Foundation initiative is preserving their work through grants to restore 24 buildings. With Black architects making up just 2% of the profession, this effort fights systemic erasure while reinforcing the importance of community-centered design. Structures like the Charles McAfee Pool—one of Kansas’ first to offer Black swimmers competition-length lanes—show how architecture intersects with civil rights. ♐️Preservation isn’t just about buildings—it’s about honoring history that refuses to be erased.
Texas Ends Decades of Denying Dyslexic Students Full Rights
For decades, Texas public schools sidestepped federal law by placing students with dyslexia in 504 plans instead of full special education, denying them critical protections. A 2023 law now mandates that all students receiving dyslexia instruction be moved to special education by summer, ensuring legal safeguards and comprehensive evaluations. Parents and activists fought hard for these changes to ensure students receive better support. ♐️Dyslexia interventions can be life-changing—impacting academic success, mental health, and even incarceration rates.
This Week’s Call to Action:
It’s Women’s History Month and I’ll start by uplifting a woman who lifts up so many others – my partner Heather Vickery. She’s a delight and you can check out some of her coaching wisdom over on YouTube.