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How to communicate with staff after election day
There’s no question that 2020 has been a year unlike any other. From the enduring impact of COVID-19 and racism to the relentless vitriolic and divisive political discourse, this year feels like a bad dream that’s impossible to wake up from any time soon. We’re also facing the...
Keep Me Posted: Standing Up to Anti-Blackness in Tech
Even though public criticism of the biases baked into technology is becoming more commonplace, public interest technologists have been making the connection between critical race theory and tech for decades. “The idea that technology can change your life and in a way that you don...
Keep Me Posted: Our New Podcast’s Second Episode Drops Today!
“In order to try to transform the systems of oppression that we're facing, we have to be willing to be transformed in the work.” This is just one snippet of wisdom imparted by Hannah Sassaman, policy director for the Movement Alliance Project (MAP) in Philadelphia, during our...
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Introducing… Keep Me Posted: A New Podcast from Spitfire
It’s true that technology has the power to foster connection, community, learning and promote equity and justice. But it can also easily be used as a tool for surveillance, division, discrimination and to amplify inequality. At Spitfire, we have the distinct pleasure of...
Communicating Ch-Ch-Changes
Best idea ever, or what were they thinking? Communications may be the deciding factor. Let me start with an understatement: We are in the midst of massive change. Globally, as a nation, organizationally and individually. For organizations, the change can be exhilarating, opening...
See What You Mean
Close your eyes. Note what you see when you think of a peaceful protest demanding racial justice. What comes into your mind when you think about nature? What do you see when you hear the words community and family? Now open your eyes. What did you see? Words? Likely not. Pictures...
Building Movements Through Art, Communication and Advocacy
Power is invisible. That’s part of what makes it tricky to dismantle. Audre Lorde asks us, “What are the words you do not yet have?” – a rallying cry to move from silence to speaking the truth of our experiences. For me, art across time and mediums has played a significant role...
Many of your Black co-workers and friends are not okay right now: Here’s what you can do
Many of my white friends and colleagues reached out over the past week to check in on me. They saw George Floyd die pinned beneath Minneapolis police officers’ knees and read how the Louisville police used a no-knock warrant to execute Breonna Taylor. They saw Ahmaud Arbery’s...
In a Time of Scarcity, We Need Narratives of Abundance
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, people are feeling a lot of emotions right now, all at once. There is uncertainty in our day-to-day lives, concern over the future and fear for the health, safety and livelihood of our families, friends, neighbors and selves. It’s...
Putting the Stimulus Package to Work for Communities
Community-based organizations are working around the clock to support communities hard hit by COVID-19. Last week, Congress passed the largest federal stimulus package in U.S. history — the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act — which represents an...
Communicating During a Crisis
Expressions of caring connect us in our shared humanity during challenging times. We are navigating similar, and very personal challenges, as we manage our lives around the spread of COVID-19. Many of Spitfire’s trusted partners are working with us to determine if they should...
A Good Time to Get Good at Virtual Meetings
Whether you find yourself running more remote teams or are looking to responsibly react to containing pandemics, being good at virtual meetings isn’t just a valuable skill – it’s an essential one. Since I’m often asked to run strategic sessions, I’m sharing the tips I have...