5 Things / Going First
A friend invited me to a small group discussion in his home. Six or seven of us. I knew him, not much else about what to expect.
I was reminded of something I keep having to relearn: We were wildly different on the surface. Different backgrounds, different stories, different everything. And within an hour, we had shared similar feelings. Shame. Grief. Heartbreak.
Heavy stuff for a Saturday morning.
Connection doesn't require similarity. It requires honesty. And somebody has to go first.
That first person who says the true thing changes the whole room. It's the same in a living room as it is in a boardroom.
Think about the rooms you're in this week. Will you be willing to go first?
I’m cheering you on-
Bernadette
This Week's Good Vibes:
Kids deserve basic dignity
Philadelphia’s school board approved a new wellness policy for the district’s 115,000 students that guarantees daily recess, requires movement breaks every 90 minutes for elementary students, and bans withholding bathroom or water breaks as punishment. It also bans collective punishment, like punishing an entire class for a few students’ actions. It’s shocking what counts for progress sometimes. ♐️ Build behavior systems that protect dignity first.
Gold medal, history made loudly
Jake Adicoff became the first publicly out gay man to win an individual Winter Paralympics title, taking gold in the 1.5km sprint with guide Peter Wolter. Adicoff is a four-time Paralympian and added this to a mixed relay gold from Beijing 2022. Disability sport and LGBTQ inclusion are often treated as “extra,” not central. This win expands who gets seen as elite. ♐️Celebrate all kinds of athletes and fund inclusive, safe team cultures.
NYC puts LGBTQIA+ first
New York City is creating its first Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs by executive order, with Taylor Brown appointed director. Taylor is the first trans woman to lead a city agency. The office will advance anti-discrimination measures and reinforce sanctuary protections. Dedicated infrastructure makes these protections more sustainable, especially when trans people and queer communities are under attack. ♐️Build offices with authority, budget, and accountability.
Disney sings in sign language
Deaf West Theatre partnered with Disney Animation to create Songs in Sign Language, featuring three animated musical sequences reimagined in American Sign Language. The project focuses on concept and emotion, not word-for-word translation, and streams on Disney+ April 27 for National Deaf History Month. This shows that accessibility can mean artistry, language, and cultural respect for Deaf audiences. ♐️ Co-create with the diverse communities you serve!
Pay finally matches the hype
After years of the WNBA growing faster than the paychecks, a new collective bargaining agreement is expected to raise team payrolls sharply and keep climbing, with higher average salaries and minimum pay that finally reflects full-time professional work. Women athletes have been asked to deliver elite performance without elite compensation, pushing many into overseas play and financial instability. Better pay supports health, career longevity, and real security. ♐️ Pay women like revenue creators, not charities.
Good Vibes to Go:
I’ve mentioned them before, but check out the comedy of ALOK. They’re on tour and so hilarious that Rita from our team is driving all the way from Chicago to Grand Rapids to see them!