Leadership is hard. This work is hard. And as we all know, tough moments require tough decisions. Across our city and state, countless individuals rely on the institutions we lead to provide critical services, resources, and support every day. Our communities depend on us—not just to sustain these efforts but to strengthen them. 

The challenges before us are real. The landscape is shifting, and we are all being asked to navigate difficult choices in an environment where resources are often scarce, and expectations are high. Now is not the time for division. Now is not the time to allow internal fractures to distract us from our mission. If anything, this moment demands the opposite: unity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to the greater good. 

Far too often, when hard decisions are made, we rush to judgment without understanding the full picture. No one knows what is happening inside most organizations. Even those inside an organization have a limited understanding of what leadership may be contending with. We often critique without curiosity or context. But leadership—true leadership—requires difficult calls that are not always visible from the outside. It demands that we make choices that may be unpopular but necessary to ensure the sustainability of the work we have all dedicated ourselves to. 

As a collective of leaders—particularly those serving LGBTQ+ communities and other vulnerable populations—we must shift our focus away from tearing one another down and toward building each other up. This work is bigger than any one person, any one organization, any one moment. And the truth is, many who feel insulated from vulnerability due to their position, income, or privilege may not realize just how fragile that safety net truly is. 

We cannot afford to let internal discord weaken the very institutions that people depend on for survival. The challenges we face are too urgent. Our communities are watching, waiting, and depending on us to show up in ways that demonstrate leadership not just in words, but in action. 

So let’s choose to champion one another. Let’s choose grace, curiosity, and a commitment to seeing the full picture before making judgments. Let’s approach this moment with the understanding that we are stronger together—and that our collective impact is far greater when we focus on the work ahead, rather than the conflicts behind us. 

This is our moment to lead—not just for ourselves, but for the communities we serve. Let’s rise to meet it, together. 

Signed:   

Anna Deshawn  

John Peller  

Zahara Bassett  

Kim L. Hunt  

Channyn Lynne Parker 

Brian Johnson  

Jamie Frazier  

Don Abrams  

Manuel Hernadez  

Dr. Keith Green  

Mary F. Morten

Nancy Mullen  

Dr. Christopher Balthazar  

Jacqueline Boyd  

Roderick K. Hawkins