“Nobody was the right person for the job … it just had to be me right now.” That’s how Jelani Stowers breaks down the whirlwind

“Gratitude is the space where we humble ourselves to the blessing of life itself.” From the jump, Mindful B Anthony sets the tone for a

“I went to grad school out of spite—to learn how to beat developers at their own game.” From that first thunderclap, author-organizer Ru Colvin takes

“Schools are the very center of communities—close a school and in three years you’ll see what happens to the neighborhood.” From the first laugh about

“The biggest word that inspired us to be here is grit.” From that charge, Brittany Vanderbeek of Aqua Action and host Khary Frazier dive into

“We can do our own planning… I want to see Black people living well and thriving.’ —Lauren Hood, Institute for Afro-Urbanism” Lauren Hood pulls back

It’s not about showing your teeth—it’s a reminder to be kind, Phillip Simpson, founder of The Smile Brand, takes it from Sojourner Truth Homes and