Democracy is not a Game

[View this email in your browser]( Michael’s Monday Motivation Democracy is not a Game I'm tired y'all, and it's only mid February. I don't just mean physically but it feels that the 2024 keeps bringing the heat. So Super Bowl Sunday should be a time to chill, right?! As a long suffering Jets fan, I usually have checked out come Super Bowl time (Hopefully, next Season). Between Usher's Halftime performance and the epic match up, we had reason to stay focused. Instead of traveling to Las Vegas, I'm in Austin, Texas at the American Association of Justice speaking with Lawyers across the country about ways they can support initiatives empowering the people and protecting Democracy. More time was spent last week talking about the President’s age rather than his accomplishments. Rather put my team helping someone to eat than feeding the media frenzy. It's simply not a game right now. We have to do more. Let us introduce you to the KAIROS: DEMOCRACY PROJECT New campaign set to mobilize voters of color ahead of 2024 election [Read The Hill Article]( [Join the Movement]( [Read the Article]( 12 CEOs Letter on Diversity Released Twelve CEOs [sent an open letter]( CEOs of the Fortune 500 calling on them to follow the facts and the strong business case to maintain and expand their commitments to diversity. The letter reminds CEOs of the irrefutable business case for diversity and pledges support for companies that stay the course. The letter was featured in the [New York Times’ Dealbook]( column this morning and on[ NPR’s Marketplace](. We are expecting additional coverage in the coming days in the wake of [this release]( The letter is bolstered by a recent [survey of senior executives in large companies]( that our team at Public Private Strategies Institute commissioned from Morning Consult. Our intent was to use the survey within the group to inform our strategic responses, but we found the findings so unexpectedly compelling, that we used it as an anchor for the letter. The 12 signatories to the letter include: Ron Busby, Sr. President & CEO US Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) Alphonso David President & CEO Global Black Economic Forum Angela Dingle President & CEO Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) Ying McGuire CEO & President National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Brigadier General (ret) Richard Miller President National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) Marc Morial President & CEO National Urban League Justin Nelson Co-Founder & President The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Justin Nelson Co-Founder & President The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Matthew Pavelek President & CEO National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) Pam Prince-Eason President & CEO Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Chiling Tong President & CEO National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) Samantha Tweedy CEO Black Economic Alliance Eboni Wimbush President & CEO Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) BBT will be hosting our bi-weekly partner call on Monday, February 12, at 3 pm ET. We will be joined by Mandela Barnes, former WI Lieutenant Governor and President of Power to the Polls & Forward Together Wisconsin, to discuss the work his team has been doing in Wisconsin engaging the Black community and uplifting the Biden-Harris agenda at the doors. [Register for the Call Here]( Weekly KAIROS Conversation with Harry Dunn, Mike Burns, John Burns and Joshua DuBois Harry Dunn Former Capital Police Officer Candidate, U.S. Congress Harry Dunn was raised here in Maryland by a family that taught him the values of duty, honor, and community. That’s why he became a Capitol Police Officer for 15 years. And that’s why on January 6, 2021, he defended our nation’s Capitol from a violent insurrection bent on destroying our Democracy. Because for Harry Dunn, doing the right thing is a way of life. Harry Dunn joined the U.S. Capitol police in 2008. On January 6, 2021, he was one of the brave officers who protected the country as a mob of insurrectionists attacked the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the presidential election. Officer Dunn protected the country from the insurrection as he experienced physical attacks and racial epithets from those storming the Capitol building. In 2021, Harry Dunn and three other law enforcement officers testified before the bipartisan January 6th Commission, where he shared his account of what he experienced that day. January 6th was a frightening wake up call for our democracy, and our democracy is still standing because Harry and his fellow officers stood their ground. In recognition of Officer Dunn’s role in protecting the U.S. Capitol, President Joe Biden awarded him the Presidential Citizens Medal. The medal is the second-highest award a civilian can get and is given by the president to “U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.” Officer Dunn said at the time, “I think it’s important to note that I accept this medal not as a Capitol Hill Police Officer, a job I have held for 15 years. Rather, I am here as an American. What I did on January 6, I did as a police officer. It was my job. But what I have done every day since, I do because I am an American.” Harry Dunn joined the U.S. Capitol Police in 2008 and since 2011 served at the officer rank as a Private First Class. From 2009 to 2023, Officer Dunn served on a First Responder Unit responsible for maintaining perimeter security around the exterior of the U.S. Capitol, protecting Members of Congress, congressional staff and employees, and visitors to our nation’s Capitol. From 2017 to 2023, Officer Dunn served as a Police Training Officer responsible for guiding and training new officers once they have completed the Academy. During his 15 years with the U.S. Capitol Police, Harry Dunn provided security for scores of major events at the Capitol, including presidential inaugurations, joint sessions of Congress, and State of the Union addresses. He served as an Incident Commander responsible for responding to emergency situations, such as attempted breaches of the Capitol perimeter and the discovery of suspicious packages. In addition, Officer Dunn has served as a Crisis Intervention Officer responsible for assisting individuals who may be experiencing a mental crisis, and as a member of Capitol Police Crisis Negotiation Teams trained to respond to hostage or barricade situations. Harry also worked to promote equity, diversity and inclusion within the Capitol Police. Officer Dunn has received several awards and commendations for his exemplary service in the U.S. Capitol Police, including the Capitol Police Service Medal, the Capitol Police Achievement Medal, a Capitol Police Commendation, and a Congressional Gold Medal. Harry Dunn is the son of a United States Air Force veteran and a former insurance claims analyst, and a brother to four sisters. He was born and raised in Prince George’s County and graduated from James Madison University in 2005 with a B.S. degree in Health Science with a concentration in public health education. A proud Duke Dog, Harry was a starter on the offensive line at JMU for four years and helped lead the team to their first ever national championship. Heis the devoted father of one daughter, Daphne. -and- Joshua DuBois Founding Partner & CEO Values Partnerships CEO, author, and media commentator, Joshua DuBois is one of our country’s top voices on community partnerships, issues impacting African Americans, and religion in the public square. Joshua led the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships under President Obama. In the White House, he brought together community leaders from across the ideological spectrum to tackle some of the nation’s biggest challenges. He is a frequent media commentator on CNN and author of the bestselling book, “The President’s Devotional: The Daily Readings that Inspired President Obama,” a compilation of the devotional meditations he shared with the President and narratives of faith in public life. Joshua is CEO of Values Partnerships (valuespartnerships.com), one of the country’s top social impact agencies, and Gauge (gauge.ai), a new platform connecting brands and organizations navigating our fast-changing culture with the diverse cultural-leaders charting its future. Joshua is Executive Producer of THE 44TH PRESIDENT IN HIS OWN WORDS (HISTORY) and SHINING A LIGHT (A&E). Joshua is also a frequent media commentator and has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, ABC News’ This Week, PBS Newshour, CNN, and elsewhere. Joshua has been named to “The Root 100” and Ebony Magazine‘s “Power 150” list of the most influential African Americans in the country. He has authored four cover stories for Newsweek magazine, including a seminal piece entitled “The Fight for Black Men , which historian Taylor Branch called “stunning.” Joshua received his Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School and his Bachelor’s Degree from Boston University. Joshua originally hails from Nashville, Tennessee. He currently lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Michelle, sons August and Auden, and daughter/boss, Adelaide. -and- Mike Burns President & Cofounder The Burns Brothers -and- John Burns Vice President & Cofounder The Burns Brothers See you Wednesday! Wednesday, February 14 · 1:00pm – 2:00pm EST Video call link: [( Or dial: ‪(US) +1 651-571-1259‬ PIN: ‪460 226 103‬# More phone numbers: [ Join us for "What's Good," a live monthly Zoom town hall presented by Values Partnerships. We’re going to have a great time connecting YOU with amazing guests and exploring what’s next, what matters, and what’s good in our communities. This month, we’ll hang out with…. Movies: Grammy winner, Emmy winner, and producer ZIGGY MARLEY on the new movie "Bob Marley: One Love." Music: Grammy Award-Winning Gospel Artist DONALD LAWRENCE on this year's How Sweet The Sound Gospel Competition. Podcasts: The new hosts of the "Native Land Pod" - Angela Rye, Tiffany Cross, and Andrew Gillum. Moments: Eris Sims with an exclusive sneak preview of this year’s NAACP IMAGE AWARDS. Don’t miss the LIVE Q&A, GIVEAWAYS, EXCLUSIVE CONTENT and more! [RSVP Now For the What’s Good Webinar]( [Shop Maison Marcel Wines]( You want to show up for the people you love in a meaningful way. Former generations did it and you want to do it, too — in your own way. But you’ve got a hectic schedule and a billion things to do. So between work meetings, grocery store runs, and herding children, you get stuck sending a generic card that doesn’t really say what you want. Or, if we’re being entirely honest, you forget to send that birthday card or “just because” gift… and tell yourself you’ll keep better track next time. [Purchase Cards & Stationary]( Everyday Diamonds Everyday Diamonds is meticulously handcrafted in Los Angeles, using only the finest natural diamonds. Our attention to quality ensures that our jewelry not only dazzles but also stands the test of daily wear. Designed for versatility, our collections effortlessly elevate your everyday wardrobe. [Browse + Buy Everyday Diamonds]( Upcoming KAIROS Conversations February 21 Allessandra Bradley-Burns Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, DEILAB Joe Paul Black Men Vote, LIBERATION February 28 Barbara Arnwine, Esq. Founder, Transformative Justice Coalition Save the Dates Feb 13th Carnegie Conversations with Earn Your Leisure New York City[Get Info + Tickets]( Feb 16th-18th Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Caucus Albany, NY[RSVP]( Feb 22nd-25th Festival Of The Diaspora Rio De Janeiro[RSVP]( Feb 26th-March 2nd CIAA Baltimore KAIROS "a time when conditions are right for the accomplishment of a crucial action : the opportune and decisive MOMENT" "The right or critical MOMENT" [Website icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( [YouTube icon]( [Facebook icon]( Copyright (C) 2024 Atlas Strategy Group. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. 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