Closing Remarks #22

The other day, a sound engineer friend of mine shared with me that she'd grown up in a house with no music. Her parents didn't listen to it. She didn't really know anything about it. It just wasn't there.

Music only became a part of her life after she grew up and moved away. And, then, it became her passion.

I couldn't believe it. Not only because she became such a staunch music lover that she made it her career, but also because I just took for granted that *everyone* had music in their homes and lives. As I sat and talked to her, I was reminded of how music has told the story of my life --- from soul music blasting out of the radio on long car rides to the thump of West African highlife at family parties. It's been my companion through devastating heartbreak, abounding joy, and quotidian tasks like washing the dishes. I'm listening to music right now (the new SAULT album is so good)!

The idea that I could have done all that in silence, in the absence of music, seems unimaginable to me. But it turns out that --- for some people --- it is real and possible.

I love that my friend grew up, sought out music, and then went on to build a life and a career around it. Not only that, but she is now gifting music to her parents. Buying them a record player, records, and speakers, and sharing songs she thinks they might like.

Her story reminded me that in these days, where so very many things appear to be on the chopping block, it can be tempting to focus on the loss and the lack. However, we must never doubt our tremendous human ability to see a void in our world and rise to fill it with whatever is needed ---- be it food, medicine, shelter, or even sweet, sweet music.

Here are this week's links:

1) A Dallas nonprofit that gave free child care to medical patients will close

Since 2014, Annie’s Place, has provided free child care so caregivers could attend medical appointments. Founded by Natalie Howe Boyle, the group intended not just to provide childcare but to foster a society where childcare was considered an essential aspect of healthcare. In 2023, the group ran into financial trouble, in 2024 Boyle departed as CEO, and this year they decided to cease operations.

2) Global education and literacy org calls it quits

Feed the Minds, a UK-based Christian charity that provides books and access to education for people in Africa and Asia, is winding down after 60 years.The group promises that all its current projects will be completed or, wherever possible, transitioned to alternative management before 30 April 2025.

3) A Texas community envisions new lives for shuttered schools

After the San Antonio school district approved a rightsizing plan to address the declining population of students living in the district, the city soon found itself with 15 empty school buildings. They have now reached out to the community with a survey to explore how they could give the spaces new life. Arts, green spaces and early education were top picks.

4) Last call for Chicago's "queer, storytelling, church in a bar"

Since 2017, Gilead Church Chicago has provided an inclusive an affirming place for worship on the city's northside. Not ones for resting on staid traditions, the congregation has decided to humorously sunset with a CaringBridge memorial website and a marching band-led, Ash Wednesday "death march" in March.

5) Vancouver Mural Festival ‘closing the chapter’ after 9 years

Operated by the Canadian nonprofit Create Vancouver Society, VMF operated as a multi-media art consultancy and production agency, and it also produced the (now-defunct) Winter Arts Festival. As is often the case, this ending came down to a lack of funds.

6) Analysis of of one NYC nonprofit's demise

"...Ultimately, it seems, Hester Street’s financial model was sustainable only as long as the organization could find an executive director who would throw themself into the role in an unsustainable way."

7) NYT Opinion | The Impossible Math of Philanthropy

"Lionized for their achievements and revered for their compassion, they bask in their status as society’s saviors. Meanwhile, the corporations they own extract wealth and externalize costs on a scale that dwarfs their largess. With one hand they generate supernormal profits by plundering society, and with the other they dole out a few crumbs to 'save the world.' But they never will. The math simply doesn’t work."

In this scathing takedown of philanthropy, two astute NYU business school professors set their sights squarely on the "philanthropic" super rich whose wealth is (and will ever be) off the back of our collective suffering. Here's to the coming (and long overdue) revolt against the champagne class!

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