CARE FOR THE CAREGIVER
As the population ages, more people are serving as a caregiver for family and friends. About 1 in 3 adults in the United States is an informal or fulltime caregiver and 70%+ of them are women.
While caring for a loved one feels good and can strengthen familial relationships, the demands on caregivers can cause emotional and physical stress, depression, and other health problems. Caregivers are as important as the people they care for, but often neglect their own health. It's crucial for caregivers to seek and receive support, including medical, emotional, and respite care, to prevent burnout and maintain their own well-being.
Here are a few tips to help manage caregiver stress:
- Ask for and accept help. Many caregivers are reluctant to ask for help. Set realistic expectations and don’t hesitate to ask for help from others. Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about your feelings.
- Take time off. Caregivers should be aware of the signs of burnout such as anger, irritability, physical fatigue, and resentment. To reduce or eliminate burnout, take short vacations or days off to recharge. Arrange for respite care or professional help when needed. Consider adult day programs or home health aides.
- Focus on what you can do. At times, you might feel like you're not doing enough. Believe that you're doing the best you can and learn to say no to additional responsibilities.
- Get connected. Research caregiving resources in your area. You might be able to take classes or find caregiving services such as rides, meal delivery, or house cleaning. Join a support group with people who can cheer you on and help you solve problems.
- See your health care professional. Get the vaccines you need and regular health screenings. Tell your health care professional that you're a caregiver. Talk about health concerns or symptoms you have related to burnout.
Once a caregiver relieves stress, they can expect improved physical health, reduced anxiety, greater resilience, and a deeper connection to the care recipient. By implementing stress-relief strategies, caregivers can provide the best care possible to those they love.
And everyone benefits.
Women in Nonprofits Don’t Profit
It is now well documented that women are underrepresented in leadership positions across all sectors of the American economy. Our primary line of work, the social/civic sector, has traditionally been female dominated, with an estimated 70% of workers being women. However, female representation within nonprofits diminishes at higher levels of leadership and governance: women comprise only 10% of nonprofit chief executives; 16% of board members; and 10% of board chairs.
For women of color, the reality is even worse. Although Black women comprise 64% of Black nonprofit CEOs among the nonprofits they lead, the largest share have budgets of under $50,000. Conversely, among the nonprofits white women CEOs lead, the largest share have budgets between $1 million and $10 million. According to a 2024 Harvard Business Review article, men in female-dominated occupations often experience a faster and smoother rise to the upper levels of leadership than women.
When examining larger nonprofits, white men typically hold more power and resources than women of all races. Male CEOs get paid on average 25% more than women. Of the 50 highest-paid executives at American charities and foundations, only 4 are women.
For many women, a commitment to make a positive difference is the reason they work for nonprofits, despite the lower pay and gender bias. Because of this, we should celebrate women in nonprofits by highlighting the impact of their work. Here's what you can do:
- Support and donate to women-led nonprofits that empower women and promote gender equality.
- Volunteer with a nonprofit that focuses on issues affecting women, such as reproductive health or education.
- Recognize and amplify the voices and contributions of women within your local nonprofit community.
- Advocate for eliminating biases and prejudice in the nonprofit sector, such as closing the gender pay gap and promoting more women into leadership positions.
By supporting women of color in leadership roles, we all benefit from more rich perspective and creativity to build a more equitable nation.
When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak.
Audre Lorde
1 Candid. https://blog.candid.org/post/key-facts-on-nonprofit-black-leadership-candid-
abfe/#:~:text=Black%20women%20comprise%2064%25%20of,%241%20million%20and%20%2410%20million.
2 https://hbr.org/2024/04/more-women-work-in-nonprofits-so-why-do-men-end-up-leading-them
Celebrating Leonard Adams, Jr.
During Black History Month, we will highlight several unheralded individuals who have or continue to dedicate their lives to community service and racial equity. Noteworthy among each of these persons is their affiliation with Chrysalis Lab as a current or former client.
Leonard L. Adams, Jr., is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quest Community Development Corporation in Atlanta, GA. He has extensive experience developing affordable and supportive housing communities in Atlanta's challenged neighborhoods. For 35 years, Mr. Adams has been a social entrepreneur and consultant. He is also the owner and development consultant of Quest Ventures, LLC.
Adams founded Quest in 2001 to provide low-income housing in Atlanta’s Westside. For nearly 25 years, Quest has developed several affordable housing communities totaling over 500 units and $100 million in assets. Quest is currently building three new developments to house people on the lowest rung of the economic ladder. These individuals and families are formerly homeless with substance abuse and/or mental illness, the disabled, and veterans. Quest also provides them with full-time supportive services such as counseling and job readiness.
A U.S. veteran, Adams moved to Atlanta in 1994 to work for his family business. He soon realized the tremendous lack of community resources, especially housing, for residents with addictive diseases and sought to address the problem. He envisioned Quest and it has created a variety of residential options — from short-term housing (365 days or less) to permanent housing for formerly homeless individuals. Today, the Westside is becoming heavily gentrified; nonetheless, the need for affordable housing remains high, and Quest seeks to ensure legacy residents can remain in the communities where they were born and raised.
Quest not only constructs affordable housing but also services Westside residents through a centralized community service hub. Quest completed the commercial development of the 30,000-square foot Quest Westside Impact Center — an $8.9 million development that opened during COVID, and it houses a variety of nonprofits, shared workspace, banking services, and a Family Dollar store. Several other affordable housing projects are in the planning stages, and Quest is currently seeking financing through public and private sources to develop them.
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), also a Chrysalis Lab client, recently purchased 2.5 acres on Atlanta’s Westside for the future home of SPLC’s Atlanta office. This campus will provide space to support Westside residents via youth and adult educational programs, affordable commercial spaces for local entrepreneurs, and free event space. Adams will serve as the developer of SPLC’s Atlanta office and oversee its construction. For more information: https://www.splcenter.org/resources/stories/westside-atlanta-entrepreneur-heads-splc-project-office/
Celebrating Lillian Miles Lewis
During Black History Month, we will highlight several unheralded individuals dedicated their lives to community service and racial equity. Chrysalis Lab has had the distinct honor of partnering with all of these warriors for justice.
Lillian Miles Lewis exhibited a keen sense of generosity and an unquenchable curiosity at a young age, which endeared her to her numerous friendships throughout her life. While a student, she traveled to Nigeria for volunteer work. Subsequently, for two years she served as a volunteer teacher in a new program that had just been implemented by then President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps.
After acquiring her master’s degree in library science, Lillian moved from her home in Los Angeles to accept a position as a librarian at Atlanta University in 1965. She quickly became integral to Atlanta’s academic, political, and social milieu. At a 1967 New Year’s Eve party, Lillian was introduced to a man she greatly admired and who would soon become her husband—John Lewis. As Lillian put it, “I was attracted to him before I knew him.”
John Lewis and Lillian Miles were married at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta in 1968. During her husband’s early years in Washington, Lillian held leadership roles in the auxiliary organization for spouses of Congressional Black Caucus members and raised money for scholarships. From 1984 to 1989, she served as Associate Director of the Institute for International Affairs and Development and from 1989 to 2003, Lillian was Director of External Affairs in the Office of Research and Sponsorsedl Programs. Lillian Miles Lewis died in 2012 at the age of 73.
Before his passing in 2020, Congressman Lewis created the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation (JLMLF) to carry on the couple’s passions, including educational access, support of young people, and love of Black heritage and the arts. The couple consistently demonstrated their love of learning and unwavering devotion to teaching others.
The JLMLF is committed to doing the righteous and important work of inspiring “goodJ troublemaking. Shortly after John Lewis’ passing in 2020, Chrysalis Lab assisted them with developing a strategic framework, strengthening their brand and establishing a strong public presence…which included co-creating a robust visual identity for the Foundation and launching a refreshed website. Bringing our talents to bear to perpetuate the legacies of John and Lilian Miles Lewis through their foundation's work remains one of our greatest honors.
A Testament of Hope
"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."
These words, shared by Martin Luther King Jr., carried the weight of a dream unfinished, a call to endure amidst despair. Just days before his life was stolen on April 4, 1968, he gifted us this enduring truth—a beacon for brighter horizons despite the shadow of trials. Today, as we commemorate his birth in a world trembling with division, hostility, and unease, the essence of hope feels like both salvation and illusive.
We are summoned to rise above the cacophony of a fractured world—a world where volatility seems ceaseless, where hope feels fragile. The looming specter of Project 2025 forecasts economic turbulence poised to hit the marginalized hardest: Black, Hispanic, and impoverished communities left grappling with deeper wounds. Meanwhile, flames consume California, raging against decades of ignored warnings of climate change, while pundits scapegoat progress, blaming the wrath of Mother Nature on the very Black, brown, and LGBTQ leaders who are sacrificing everything to save the lives and possessions of others while daring to dream of an equitable and fair society.
As the air grows heavier every day with division, self-interest calcifies hearts, and fear tightens its grip. In this maelstrom, hopelessness is a tempting retreat. Yet Dr. King once named these dual Americas:
"One America is beautiful … But there is another America. This other America has a daily ugliness about it that transforms the buoyancy of hope into the fatigue of despair."
To reclaim hope, we must first grasp its essence. Hope is no mere wish; it is conviction—an unyielding belief that tomorrow can surpass today. It is the knowledge that the winds of injustice, though fierce, cannot outlast the resolve of those who rise to meet them. It whispers that, even when fractured, the human spirit can mend, and from ruin, rebuild and prevail.
But hope demands courage and resolve. It asks that we see obstacles not as impenetrable walls, but as tests of will. It requires us to boldly step into the uncertainty of action, to shoulder responsibility for the futures we are called to create. It reminds us that despair is not a destination but an intersection—a moment to either surrender or rise.
Dr. King understood the paradox of hope—its fragility and its boundlessness. He spoke of infinite hope not as a passive state but as an unrelenting force. It is the flame that refuses to be stamped out, the will to defy oppression and injustice with love, resilience, and unshakable resolve.
This legacy he bequeathed to us is not a mere sentiment but a summons: to embody infinite hope, to toil ceaselessly for a world where justice is not a dream deferred but a birthright claimed. It calls us to act with courage, to love without conditions, and to believe in the transformative power of hope, not just for ourselves but for our children’s children. Hope is not finite. It is a fire that endures, lighting the way for all who dare to walk forward.
2025: The Road Ahead
The year 2025 will bring pivotal challenges and opportunities for Black Americans. As we move forward, we must make note of the critical decisions and events that will shape the trajectory of racial, social, and economic justice in this country.
President-Elect Trump Returns
With President-Elect Trump reclaiming office, his rhetoric and policies signal a continuation of deep divides. In an April 2024 interview with TIME Magazine, Trump declared, “I think there is a definite anti-white feeling in this country, and that can’t be allowed.” His administration will likely renew attacks on police reform, voting rights, and systemic racism—pushing racial justice movements to the forefront of resistance once again.
The Threat of Project 2025
Project 2025 represents a direct threat to Black communities, seeking to dismantle essential civil rights protections and promote anti-democratic initiatives. This deliberate agenda could roll back decades of progress, forcing communities to mobilize against a concentrated assault on justice.
A Divided Government
Now that Congress certified President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, one party will hold the coveted “trifecta” — the White House, the Senate and the House. Note that this will likely not mean they will have their way in Washington, as the Trump administration will hinge on congressional Republicans’ ability to stay united. This won’t be easy and will likely cause chaos for us all.
Economic Challenges for Those Most In Need
Trump’s proposed economic policies prioritize tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations while pulling back support for programs that benefit low-income families. Initiatives like the child tax credit and federal healthcare funding are at risk, leaving many Black families vulnerable to financial strain.
Political Resilience
The loss of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election has left many disheartened, but it has also sparked a new wave of Black political leadership. These emerging leaders are prepared to confront the hypocrisy of racial, economic, and social inequities in an America where wealth and power grow increasingly concentrated.
The Future of DEI
In 2025, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs face a polarized landscape. While some corporations retreat from DEI commitments, others remain steadfast. At the same time, federal and state lawmakers are poised to escalate efforts to dismantle DEI initiatives in government, education, and the private sector.
Immigration
Immigration took center stage during the 2024 election cycle, with 76% of Republicans describing it as a top priority for the president to address this year. Trump is outspoken on the subject, and immigration policy is likely to undergo major changes with the presidential transition. But how much and how far changes will go is unclear because of political division and, even more, as society begins to feel the real economic and societal impact of such dramatic change in our communities and families.
Women’s Rights
The absence of explicit constitutional protection for women leaves them vulnerable to a myriad of abuses. It also makes their hard-won legal rights easier to strip away, as demonstrated by the rollback on women’s human rights in recent years. Most Americans are unaware that the human rights of women and girls are not secured in the US Constitution. This is despite the impacts being life-changing and wide-ranging.
A Call to Endure
2025 will remind us that the fight for justice and equality is far from over. It will require vigilance, resilience, and a refusal to accept setbacks as permanent. History has shown that Black communities possess an unparalleled capacity to endure and adapt, transforming struggle into strength.
The challenges ahead are daunting, but the collective resolve to persevere—and to push for progress—remains unshaken.
Heri za Kwanzaa!
Happy Kwanzaa!
As the horizon of 2025 looms with radical uncertainty, let us rise with unwavering resolve. Now, more than ever, we must embody the spirit and purpose of Kwanzaa—honoring our ancestors, exalting the richness of African and African American culture, and fortifying the bonds of family and community.
Let us anchor ourselves in the power of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles that light our path and bind us together:
- Umoja (Unity), the heartbeat of our collective strength.
- Kujichagulia (Self-determination), the fire of our identity and voice.
- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), the shared labor that lifts us all.
- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), the foundation of our shared prosperity.
- Nia (Purpose), the compass guiding our journey.
- Kuumba (Creativity), the spark that renews and inspires.
- Imani (Faith), the unshakable belief in ourselves and our future.
To covenant these principles daily is to forge an unbreakable shield—one that prepares us to confront storms and triumph over tribulations. In their embrace, we are reminded of who we are and to whom we belong. Let us stand firm, building a morally rooted, empowered community that no force can divide.
Heri za Kwanzaa! Let the light of these principles guide us forward, bold and unyielding
Slavery is Legal in the US
The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on December 6, 1865, to abolish slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation, declared by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 during the American Civil War, only freed slaves held in Confederate states. Only through the Thirteenth Amendment did emancipation become national policy.
The Thirteenth Amendment states, "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, save as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
However, it was with this exception, “as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted,” that a new form of slavery rapidly developed. After the Civil War, black codes and other discriminatory laws made it easy for local officials to arrest African Americans for minor infractions. Convict labor became a significant source of revenue in some states via convict leasing to private individuals and companies. The practice grew in prevalence and scope such that by 1898, 73% of Alabama’s state revenue came from convict leasing.
Legal slavery in the United States continues today due to this “Slavery Clause” loophole in the Thirteenth Amendment. The corruption of our criminal justice system, with discrimination fueling mass incarceration, has continued through the War on Drugs, the proliferation of the three-strike laws, severe plea deals, and harsh mandatory minimum policies.
In 2023, Georgia Congresswoman Nikema Williams reintroduced the Abolition Amendment, which would remove this loophole. To live up to our nation’s promise of justice for all, Congress must take the long overdue step and finally end the morally reprehensible practice of slavery in the US.
November 28th: Beyond Thanksgiving—A Reckoning with the Past
Thanksgiving, for many, is a day of gratitude and tradition. But for others, it is a day heavy with the weight of history—marked by the legacies of genocide, economic exploitation, and racism. For Georgians, November 28th carries an additional burden: it is the anniversary of the last enslaved Africans brought to the state, a reminder of humanity betrayed.
In 1858, the Wanderer sailed into Jekyll Island’s shadowed shores. Once a symbol of luxury and speed, the yacht had been reconfigured for a far more hideous purpose. Hidden beneath its polished exterior were 409 West African men, women, and children who were stolen from their homeland and transported across the Atlantic in defiance of the Slave Importation Act of 1807, which had outlawed such horrors. Ninety souls perished in the bowels of that ship before reaching land.
The Wanderer’s arrival was not just a crime of law but a moral abomination—a cruel testament to greed and power. It deepened the divide between North and South, its impact rippling toward the Civil War, which would erupt three years later. By the war’s end, the surviving captives were declared free. Yet freedom did not heal the wounds of displacement or restore the lives and homes stolen from them.
On this day, let us move beyond sanitized celebrations and confront the truths beneath them. Let us mourn with Indigenous communities for the lands and lives taken. Let us remember the men, women, and children forced onto the Wanderer—their names lost but their humanity enduring.
This is not just a moment for reflection but for action. The Wanderer is a reminder that injustice thrives when the powerful exploit and the masses remain silent. Let November 28th challenge us to rise, to speak, and to honor those who endured history’s most horrific chapters with resilience and courage.
Beyond Acknowledgement: Respecting the Land and the People
Chrysalis Lab is devoted to promoting diversity and inclusion by helping organizations transform their internal cultures. We believe land acknowledgement should only be used when they are grounded in integrity and provide a framework for open dialogue and action.
A Land acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes the Indigenous peoples as the original stewards of the land on which you currently live or work.
More than anything, remember that Native Nations are sovereign governments with their own cultures, beliefs and jurisdictions and deserve our respect as the original inhabitants of the lands we now build community on.
Here are some tips for crafting a land acknowledgment:
- The acknowledgment should be genuine and motivated by respect and support for Indigenous peoples.
- Land acknowledgments shouldn’t be repeatedly used pre-scripted statements since it may appear insincere. Personalize them as much as possible.
- Research Indigenous place names and include them in local land acknowledgements. For instance, in Georgia, it would be appropriate to acknowledge the primary Indigenous American nations who inhabited the state which were the Cherokee Nation and Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
- Prior to penning a land acknowledgement, engage in dialogue with Native Nations and people who have ancestral lands there to get their input. Find ways to partner with Native people and Tribal Nations.
- If you ask Tribal Nations or Native people to help prepare or deliver the statement, be prepared to offer compensation. You might also consider making donations to organizations that support Tribal sovereignty.
- Include action steps for supporting Indigenous people. Make sure the actions are what Tribal Nations actually want. Tribal Nations are clear about their priorities – all we need to do is ask.
- Don't use language that makes it sound like Native people are no longer here. Today, there are 574 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. with vibrant cultures and sovereign governments.
Sources: https://www.eliseblasingame.com/land-acknowledgment
https://fakequity.com/2020/11/20/land-acknowledgements/
https://nativegov.org/news/a-guide-to-indigenous-land-acknowledgment/
https://illuminative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Land_Acknowledgement.pdf
