The Work Starts With Community

Life is hard, and trying to make change while navigating that is even harder. In order to make any real progress, we have to move forward collectively. And in order to move forward collectively, we have to take the time to know and understand each other. We have to build trust together. We have to build community.

Years ago, when I was a high school teacher, I centered community building in my classroom before we even started academics. When my students walked in, they were confused at first. The desks were arranged in a circle, and on each desk was a blank canvas and a palette of paint. The classroom itself was also pretty bare, with not a lot on the walls.

"Miss, what is this?"

"Miss, where do we sit?"

"Miss, I think I'm in the wrong class."

I assured them that they were in the right place and that I would explain everything. I let them know that we would be sitting in this circle, painting as we talked and got to know each other. I told them it wasn't about the painting. They could paint the whole thing blue for all I cared. I just wanted them to have something to do while we talked.

I shared a little about myself. I gave suggestions for what to do on the canvas. I asked them to share a little, too. We talked about our paintings. Gradually, they relaxed, played with the paints, talked, and laughed.

We did these types of activities in our circle for two weeks. By the end, we had created wall art for the classroom that represented them. We had collectively created our classroom norms. We had inside jokes. And, above all, they knew this was a safe space where they could ask questions, try new things, and breathe a little.

These were students who had felt rejected by the system and labeled all kinds of things. But in this space, which belonged to them as much as it belonged to me, they were able to be themselves. And ultimately, they became leaders in the school, advocating for change.

Together, they created a Community Action Plan that centered student engagement as a way to keep students in school and lower the dropout rate. They worked within the school and alongside community partners to identify what students needed and develop ways to create a stronger sense of connection and belonging.

What started with sitting in a circle and painting together grew into something much bigger. They were not just participating in a classroom anymore. They were using their voices, building relationships, and working collectively to change the conditions around them.

That experience has stayed with me ever since. It shaped the way I approach all of my work because I know that community building is not something we do on the side or after the "real" work begins. It is the foundation that makes the real work possible.

I have heard the saying, "You have to go slow to go fast." I agree, but I also think there has to be intentionality and authenticity in that slow part.

To truly make change, we have to take the time to understand each other. We have to understand our commonalities and our differences. We have to learn each other's strengths and recognize the opportunities that exist to grow with and from each other.

We have to make time and space for cultivation.

And more on that in my next post.