Celebrate Life even in Loss

[View this email in your browser]( Michael’s Monday Motivation May 19th. A fascinating day for many reasons. This year, it was Pentecost Sunday, seen by many Christians as the beginning of the church as the message is spread across all of the nations. It also was a Day of two Game 7s for us basketball fans (Tough loss for my Knicks, but, we are building!). The day is the Birthday of my dear friend & award winning Gospel singer Israel Houghton who is like a Brother (despite our Android vs. iPhone battles). May 19th is also the Birthday of my Late Brother Dexter Haye. He would have been 61 yesterday. Deckie loved Arsenal , loved to laugh and was the best among us Siblings on calling other relatives. I miss you Deckie. Love you much. We are continuing to fight to get you Justice. All of these reflections bring me to this point: Celebrate Life, even in Loss! What do you learn from the person and the experience? How do I grow it? It's okay to grieve and cry, and, it's okay to laugh and smile. Life on this earth has a finite amount of Time (Chronos). Let's make the most of it by creating Moments (KAIROS). Despite the pain, there is promise. Celebrate LIFE, even in Loss. KAIROS Conversation with Leslie Odom, Jr. Leslie Odom, Jr. Actor, Purlie Victorious Premiere: 5/24/2024 at 9 p.m. on PBS Starring Leslie Odom Jr., this comedic play tells the story of a Black preacher’s scheme to reclaim his inheritance and win back his church from a plantation owner. Nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Play, the Emmy-winning performing arts series Great Performances announces the addition of Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch to its Broadway’s Best lineup in May. Starring Tony Award winner Leslie Odom, Jr.—newly Tony nominated for his performance in the play along with his co-star Kara Young—Great Performances: Purlie Victorious premieres Friday, May 24 at 9 p.m. on PBS ([check local listings]( on [pbs.org/gperf]( and the [PBS App](. The revival of Ossie Davis’ groundbreaking 1961 play also received 2024 Tony Award nominations for Best Direction of a Play (Kenny Leon), Best Costume Design of a Play (Emilio Sosa), and Best Scenic Design of a Play (Derek McLane). “This show’s enduring significance and lasting impact makes it a perfect fit for a national audience,” says Great Performances executive producer David Horn.  “Ossie Davis gave the American theater an American hero in Purlie Judson,” says Leslie Odom, Jr. “I have loved this piece and its author, Mr. Davis, for well over half my life. His writing and acting, his integrity, the commitment he and his brilliant wife made to nurturing young talent, and the example of citizenship have meant so much to me! Mr. Davis’s pages are full of joy and rhythm, laughter and hope. We endeavored to live up to the demands of a challenging text and the legacy of a great American. I was thrilled beyond measure to be part of the revival company and now for it to be part of the rich tradition of Great Performances on PBS.” The comedic play tells the story of a Black preacher’s scheme to reclaim his inheritance and win back his church from a plantation owner. Written by Kennedy Center honoree Ossie Davis with direction by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon (“A Raisin in the Sun”), this first Broadway revival was recorded live at the Music Box Theatre on January 24-26, 2024. Purlie Victorious made its original debut on Broadway in 1961 and starred Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Alan Alda, Godfrey Cambridge, Sorrell Booke and Beah Richards. With Leslie Odom, Jr. in the title role, the cast also features Billy Eugene Jones (Gitlow Judson), Jay O. Sanders (Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee), Heather Alicia Simms (Missy Judson), Vanessa Bell Calloway (Idella Landy), Noah Robbins (Charlie Cotchipee), Noah Pyzik (The Deputy), Bill Timoney (The Sheriff) and Kara Young (Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins).  Purlie Victorious mirrors playwright Ossie Davis’ personal journey, growing up in racially segregated Georgia, to challenge oppressive white authority in the South and beyond. Using his art to both entertain and educate, some of the atrocities addressed in the play, such as the harsh use of racial slurs and references to attacks like a young man getting his head dipped in a bucket of syrup, are pulled directly from Davis’ own upbringing.  See you Wednesday! Wednesday, May 22 · 1:00pm – 2:00pm EST Video call link: [( Or dial: ‪(US) +1 651-571-1259‬ PIN: ‪460 226 103‬# More phone numbers: [ [Dream Machine's A.I. Academy]( is a FREE one-day event on Saturday, June 15th in Atlanta for entrepreneurs, creatives, artists, technologists, and anyone curious about A.I. tools. Join us on June 15, 2024, in Atlanta, GA, for hands-on workshops, inspiring talks by industry leaders and networking with community experts. You'll leave with a powerful understanding of A.I. and how to apply it to your life or profession. Learn More & Register Our Time. Our Moment. Our Democracy. KAIROS: DEMOCRACY PROJECT exists to promote social welfare and civic betterment by mobilizing and engaging Communities of Color and Young Adults through Issue Advocacy and awareness on the impact of safeguarding our Democracy on their everyday lives. From deploying local Influencers and surrogates of Color from the KAIROS Communications war room to hosting KAIROS CONVERSATION Listen & Learns to executing a targeted media and message mobilization, the KAIROS: DEMOCRACY PROJECT will be the go to place for engaging Leaders of Color around Issues and Democracy in the country, not just for one election but for future generations. Join the fight for Democracy by helping us mobilize and engage Communities of Color and Young Adults through Issue Advocacy and awareness on the impact of safeguarding our Democracy on our everyday lives. [$50 ⮕]( [$100 ⮕]( [$250 ⮕]( [$500 ⮕]( [$1000 ⮕]( [Other ⮕]( Convenings that bring investors, executives, allies, and policymakers together with the aim of leveraging our collective energy and resources to open more doors for more women of color entrepreneurs. These are not demo days or pitch competitions. The events are designed for you to meet our featured entrepreneurs and to connect you with others who value the opportunity to broaden their network. We have good food and we invite great people. We hope you will be among them. Philadelphia, PA | June 11 Request an invitation by 6/4 Boston, MA | June 17 Request an invitation by 6/11 Charlotte, NC | July 9 Request an invitation by 7/2 Raleigh - Durham | July 11 Request an invitation by 7/4 Chicago, IL | July 18 Request an invitation by 7/11 Seattle, WA | July 25 Request an invitation by 7/19 Palo Alto, CA | September 24 Request an invitation by 9/17 Los Angeles, CA | September 26 Request an invitation by 9/19 Dallas, TX | October 8 Request an invitation by 10/1 Houston, TX | October 10 Request an invitation by 10/3 Atlanta, GA | October 24 Request an invitation by 10/17 Phoenix, AZ | Nov 7​ Request an invitation by 10/31 Miami, FL | December 4 Request an invitation by 11/29 [Register Today]( Convening for the Culture August 12-15, 2024 Our signature annual event, “Convening for the Culture,” provides an opportunity for leaders of color to gather during one of the Black community’s most prominent weeks of leadership activation each year. About 200 of the nation’s leaders and change makers of color and their allies attend the four-day event on Martha’s Vineyard focused on relationship building, ideation, deal flow and partnership development. [Register Now!]( [Learn More]( [Register Today]( We have some exciting events coming up, and we wanted to make sure to share the details with you. The full list of upcoming events is below for your review. We hope to see you at one of them, and we’d of course be very appreciative if you could share these events with your friends and family who might be interested in joining us. May 29 Reception with Rob Flaherty Join media, digital, and advertising supporters to learn how the campaign will be reaching and engaging audiences in the upcoming 2024 election. Time: Evening New York City [RSVP Here]( June 15 Reception with Chef Eric Korn Join fellow foodies for an evening reception in support of President Biden’s re-election with a dinner specially prepared by Chef Eric Korn. Time: Evening Patterson, NY [RSVP Here]( [Raise Every Voice]( Disability Community Virtual Reception]( Tuesday, June 4, 2024 | Time to be announced Virtual | [RSVP Here]( For any questions, please contact Lily Thomas at ThomasL@bidenvictoryfund.com Increased hiring happening across the Democratic ecosystem Below are the current open DNC positions. You can also find the most up to date postings [here]( The following sites have further opportunities heading into the cycle: Biden/Harris 2024: [( State Party Postings: [( Democratic National Convention: [( The Equity March The Equity March is a monumental convergence of diverse voices united to advance societal transformation, striving to dismantle barriers to civil rights and kindle the beacon of equity and justice. It represents a clarion call for policies aimed at eradicating poverty, racism, and multifaceted injustices to foster a harmonious and equitable America. [Follow us!]( United By Equity We are a grassroots organization promoting equity, justice, and inclusion. Our organization grew out of a mass mobilization and nationwide voting rights movement demanding that elected officials increase access to civic engagement and protect civil rights by providing the necessary tools to end poverty, racism, and intersectional injustice through policies, including reparations and truth efforts promoting accurate equity nationwide. [Join the Equity March Movement]( [Equity Weekend Partnership Deck]( April Verrett is poised to become SEIU’s first Black president. [Read the Article]( On Sunday, President Biden delivered the spring commencement address to Morehouse College's Class of 2024. Morehouse, the historically Black men’s college in Atlanta, awarded President Biden an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. You may watch the live commencement address [here](. Read President Biden's remarks [here](. POTUS Commemorates Brown v. Board 70th Anniversary On Friday, May 17th, President Biden delivered remarks at a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) event marking the Brown v. Board 70th anniversary at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. You can read the remarks [here]( President Biden met with five members of the Little Rock Nine - the first Black students to desegregate Little Rock Central High. POTUS and VPOTUS Meet with Divine Nine On Friday, May 17th, President Biden and Vice President Harris welcomed the Divine Nine Presidents, a group of historically Black sororities and fraternities to the White House to discuss prominent issues facing the Black community. This is the first time a President has convened a meeting with leaders of the Divine Nine in the Oval Office. May 29 Frida Polli Founder, Rosalind Ventures June 5 Members from Dream Machine[Dream Academy]( June 12 Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. [The Dfree movementÂ]( June 26 Rob Donahue Director, Center for Civic Engagement Save the Dates June 5-9 NOBCO Annual Convening Atlanta, GA June 12-25 Attorney General Alliance Annual Convening Colorado June 15 National Black Justice Coalition 2024 Equity March Washington, DC June 19th Congresswoman Nikema Williams [Du Bois Freedom Center]( Event June 20-23 US Conference of Mayors Kansas City June 23-26 Models Schools Conference Orlando, FL KAIROS "a time when conditions are right for the accomplishment of a crucial action : the opportune and decisive MOMENT" "The right or critical MOMENT" [Facebook icon]( [Instagram icon]( [Website icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( [YouTube icon]( Copyright (C) 2024 Atlas Strategy Group. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Atlas Strategy Group 1 Bruckner Blvd Bronx, NY 10454 USA Want to change how you receive these emails? 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