5 Things / Cheers
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This week, I facilitated a “Rock Paper Scissors” (RPS) tournament. It’s a high-energy, super fun, large group activity, where, at the end, two people are competing in RPS while the group loudly cheers them on. The whole thing takes just a few minutes, but the energy it creates is electric.
It feels amazing to be cheered on by dozens of people, even if all you’re doing is playing RPS. And it feels amazing to cheer others on after losing our own RPS battle. For a whole lot of reasons, people in your life and on your team are struggling right now. This is the time for us to show up and cheer each other on, even when it’s hard for us too.
If we can find the joy in cheering for someone else in a silly little game, imagine the possibilities for connection and joy that can come from showing up for someone when it really counts. Be the cheerleader you need – and allow yourself to be cheered on
This Week's Good Vibes:
Accessibility at First Swipe
Apple this week unveiled “Accessibility Nutrition Labels” in the App Store to flag support for VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Reduced Motion, captions, and more. This spotlights accessibility at the point of download and incentivizes developers to bake in inclusive features. Accessibility can be a market differentiator by providing a competitive advantage while narrowing the digital divide. ♐ Be transparent about your accessibility features on product pages.
Queer Cover Breakthrough!
Lauren Chan makes history as the first out lesbian to grace a solo Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover in 2025. As the Chinese-Canadian founder of clothing company Henning, Chan has centered her career on celebrating plus-size, LGBTQ+, and AAPI communities, using her platform to challenge beauty norms and uplift marginalized voices. ♐ Demand diverse representation in mainstream media campaigns.
Hands Off Our Brain Data
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed the first-in-the-nation executive order blocking federal collection of personal health data related to autism. This is in response to the federal administration’s plan to link federal records to autism research. Pritzker’s order forbids state agencies, contractors, and grant recipients from disclosing “personally identifiable autism-related data” without consent to ensure patient dignity and privacy. ♐ This precedent-setting policy confronts systemic bias by centering the rights of autistic people and establishes a rare example of proactive data governance in disability policy.
Free Childcare: The Ultimate Retention Hack
Shapewary company Cakes Body has become a national case study by offering employees up to $3,000 a month ($36,000 a year) in childcare stipends. This is an unheard-of benefit when only 3 percent of U.S. employers subsidize care, and families often spend 22 percent of their income on daycare. This benefit confronts systemic bias that forces caregivers, who are disproportionately women and people of color, out of the workforce. This model has driven retention and productivity for the company. ♐ Embed caregiver benefits in your retention strategy.
Freedom Unlocked
Dauphin County, PA, USA, erased nearly $66 million in jail “pay-to-stay” fees, like the $17,000 one person was billed after acquittal. Yes, people have to pay to be in jail in 43 states. News to me. This forgiveness recognizes that shackling formerly incarcerated people with unaffordable debt fuels recidivism and deepens systemic racial and economic inequity. Although pay-to-stay statutes exist in at least 43 states, virtually no jurisdiction has wiped out existing debts, making this forgiveness exceptionally rare. ♐ Routinely audit and forgive punitive fees or penalties that disproportionately burden people.
Good Vibes to Go:
Yesterday was Global Accessibility Awareness Day, aka GAAD. It’s amazing how much we don’t know. My firm has strived to follow best practices for digital inclusion, but we’re not perfect. Here’s a great checklist from Meryl Evans.