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Speaker: Bob Stains, Founder of Bob Stains and Associates, Conflict Transformation, and Senior Associate, Essential Partners FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, March 10, 2025 Boston, MA – The Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation  today announces its first event of the 2025 Let’s Talk Series. On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 7-9 pm EDT (UTC-4), Bob Stains will present Let’s Talk Series: Depolarize: Dialogue skills for transcending divides . We are living in times of deep divisions in our communities, our country and even in our families. The chasms that separate us sometimes seem too wide and too deep to cross. These divides are often created and maintained by stories: thin caricatures of the evil "them" and virtuous "us" that are told and re-told, expanding polarization and making real connection seem impossible.  Yet there is hope. 30+ years of peoples' experience with Reflective Structured Dialogue across the US and countries around the world offers many ways for changing our conversations to expand stories and heal relationships.  This webinar will explore tools and techniques of dialogue (reflective skills, receptive skills, expressive skills) that we can use to reach across differences and come away conscious of our complexities and more connected as a result.  Bob Stains  is the Founder of Bob Stains and Associates, Conflict Transformation . His highest purpose is to help people to get curious about and become more human to each other. Bob is also a Senior Associate at Essential Partners and has worked for decades across the US and in ten other countries facilitating dialogue and training others. He is a seasoned designer and facilitator of conversations that cultivate understanding and connection in fractured communities.  Bob weaves his past experience as a family therapist, his practice of mediation and his understanding of interpersonal neurobiology into the design and facilitation of conversations that cultivate understanding and connection in the midst of divisive differences. Bob is also a skilled trainer, coach and mentor. He created and leads the  “ Transforming Dialogue " training, mentoring and group coaching program  that equips leaders and practitioners with the internal and external skills to design and facilitate dialogues that repair torn communities. Before the Event All registered participants will have access to a brief pre-event survey that allows questions to be submitted to our speaker. During the Event This is a webinar style event. All registered participants will have the opportunity to submit questions to our speaker. Questions will be screened and asked, given the time allowed. After the Event All registered participants will receive a post-event email including a survey and additional resources. A recording of the event will be publicly available on the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation website, in the days following our event. Please join us via Zoom on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 7-9 pm EDT (UTC-4) for Let’s Talk Series: Depolarize: Dialogue skills for transcending divides . Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Boston (USA – Massachusetts) 7:00:00 pm EDT UTC-4 hours Chicago (USA – Illinois) 6:00:00 pm CDT UTC-5 hours Salt Lake City (USA – Utah) 5:00:00 pm MDT UTC-6 hours San Francisco (USA – California) 4:00:00 pm PDT UTC-7 hours Honolulu (USA – Hawaii) 1:00:00 pm HST UTC-10 hours Corresponding UTC (GMT) 23:00:00 Connect Website: https://bobstainsconflicttransformation.com/ About Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation The Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation is committed to human reconciliation and the eradication of racism and other forms of human oppression. Our work focuses on healing the internal emotional and cognitive harms that have allowed racism to continue to thrive in our society. We support the efforts of many other groups and individuals by providing opportunities for learning and self-reflection so that strategies to eradicate racism can become more successful. Additional information about the Center can be found by visiting the website and by following @dcbcenter. Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation Website: http://www.dcbcenter.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/dcbcenter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dockcbracycenter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dcbcenter LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/dcbcenter TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@dcbcenter YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEWo3ofiX7CdQDzHUsn3N2Q ###

Speaker: Bob Stains, Founder of Bob Stains and Associates, Conflict Transformation, and Senior Associate, Essential Partners Join the "Depolarize: Dialogue Skills for Transcending Divides" workshop. Register now to enhance your communication skills and bridge societal gaps. Please join us via Zoom on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 7-9 pm EDT (UTC-4) for Let’s Talk Series: Depolarize: Dialogue skills for transcending divides . We are living in times of deep divisions in our communities, our country and even in our families. The chasms that separate us sometimes seem too wide and too deep to cross. These divides are often created and maintained by stories: thin caricatures of the evil "them" and virtuous "us" that are told and re-told, expanding polarization and making real connection seem impossible.  Yet there is hope. 30+ years of peoples' experience with Reflective Structured Dialogue across the US and countries around the world offers many ways for changing our conversations to expand stories and heal relationships.  This webinar will explore tools and techniques of dialogue (reflective skills, receptive skills, expressive skills) that we can use to reach across differences and come away conscious of our complexities and more connected as a result.  Bob Stains  is the Founder of Bob Stains and Associates, Conflict Transformation . His highest purpose is to help people to get curious about and become more human to each other. Bob is also a Senior Associate at Essential Partners and has worked for decades across the US and in ten other countries facilitating dialogue and training others. He is a seasoned designer and facilitator of conversations that cultivate understanding and connection in fractured communities.  Bob weaves his past experience as a family therapist, his practice of mediation and his understanding of interpersonal neurobiology into the design and facilitation of conversations that cultivate understanding and connection in the midst of divisive differences. Bob is also a skilled trainer, coach and mentor. He created and leads the  “ Transforming Dialogue " training, mentoring and group coaching program  that equips leaders and practitioners with the internal and external skills to design and facilitate dialogues that repair torn communities. Before the Event All registered participants will have access to a brief pre-event survey that allows questions to be submitted to our speaker. During the Event This is a webinar style event. All registered participants will have the opportunity to submit questions to our speaker. Questions will be screened and asked, given the time allowed. After the Event All registered participants will receive a post-event email including a survey and additional resources. A recording of the event will be publicly available on the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation website, in the days following our event. Please join us via Zoom on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 7-9 pm EDT (UTC-4) for Let’s Talk Series: Depolarize: Dialogue skills for transcending divides . Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Boston (USA – Massachusetts) 7:00:00 pm EDT UTC-4 hours Chicago (USA – Illinois) 6:00:00 pm CDT UTC-5 hours Salt Lake City (USA – Utah) 5:00:00 pm MDT UTC-6 hours San Francisco (USA – California) 4:00:00 pm PDT UTC-7 hours Honolulu (USA – Hawaii) 1:00:00 pm HST UTC-10 hours Corresponding UTC (GMT) 23:00:00 Connect Website: https://bobstainsconflicttransformation.com/

In 1978 I retired from the United States Air Force after 21 years of honorable service. I am protesting the attack by the current president on the U.S. Constitution and democracy. In 1957, when I enlisted, I took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. This oath of responsibility continues to today. Donald Trump, the man, took a similar oath in 2016 and again in 2025: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." However, he has demonstrated his disdain for both the U.S. Constitution and democracy. On January 6, 2021, while president, he organized and launched a coup attempt against this country.  Despite these events, the man was re-elected in 2024. Now in 2025, he is blatantly attacking the U.S. Constitution, democracy, and its institutions. As a result, I cannot quietly stand aside while this travesty is happening. Thus, I have decided to protest and honor my oath to this country. I will fly the American flag upside down to signal “a dire distress of extreme danger to life and property”*. Many men and women have served and sacrificed in wars and conflicts in defense of democracy. Citizens of color, particularly Black Americans, I am one of them, have participated in every war/conflict defending democracy, despite facing unequal treatment. While my individual protest may not resolve these issues, however, I aim to make my voice heard and demonstrate my commitment and love of country. I hope that my actions will encourage others to use their voice and personal power to actively support democracy and the U.S. Constitution, thereby contributing to a new direction for our country. *Flying the US flag upside down is a  sign of danger or distress, usually signifying that people living in the area or those who were in the area when the flag was placed upside down should evacuate immediately . According to the U.S. Flag Code, flying the American flag upside down is only meant to be done "as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property". While distress is the most common interpretation, the upside-down American flag can also convey other meanings, such as a protest against government policies, war, or social injustice. Disclaimer Because I am protesting in military uniform, I want to clarify that the Department of Defense does not endorse my protest. My intention is not to disgrace or embarrass the military community. Department of Defense Directive number 1344.10, dated 10 February 19, 2008, policy states: 4.1.4. Subject to any other restrictions in law, a member of the Armed Forces not on active duty may take the actions or participate in the activities permitted in subparagraph 4.1.1. and may take the actions and participate in the activities prohibited in subparagraph 4.1.2, provided the member is not in uniform and does not otherwise act in a manner that could reasonably give rise to the inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement. My protest is not a political statement but aims to highlight the oath of enlistment I took. "I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." Join us for Depolarize: Dialogue Skills for Transcending Divides! 🗣️ Learn how to navigate tough conversations and build bridges across differences. Don't miss this chance to develop essential communication skills! 📅 Register today at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/depolarize-dialogue-skills-for-transcending-divides-tickets-1276555454729 #DialogueMatters #BridgingDivides #CommunicationSkills #ConflictResolution #ListenAndLearn #OpenDialogue

Sunday, December 29, 2024, 7-9pm EST (UTC-5) The Dock C. Bracy Center’s Reading for Understanding monthly book discussions are free and have two requirements: Read the book and make time for the discussion. Cover of the book The Love Songs ofo W. E. B. Du Bois. by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers Reading for Understanding: Free Monthly Virtual Book Discussions to Promote Reading, Ongoing Learning and Critical Conversations The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers Facilitated by Sabrina & Nicole Bookstore: Baldwin & Co., New Orleans, Louisiana, https://www.baldwinandcobooks.com/ Step into the rich tapestry of history and culture with our virtual book discussion featuring Honorée Fanonne Jeffers' masterful work, "The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois." About the Book "The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois" is a powerful exploration of identity, legacy, and the interconnectedness of generations. Honorée Fanonne Jeffers weaves a captivating narrative that spans centuries, offering a unique and profound perspective on the African American experience. Join us as we delve into the lyrical prose and complex characters that define this remarkable novel. Discussion Highlights Analyzing the historical and cultural themes woven throughout the book Exploring the multifaceted characters and their interconnected stories Discussing the significance of W. E. B. Du Bois's legacy in the narrative Reflecting on the novel's exploration of identity and family Virtual Platform The discussion will take place on Zoom, providing a convenient and inclusive space for participants to share their perspectives and engage in meaningful dialogue. Registered participants will login to their Eventbrite account to access this virtual event via the event page. Facilitators Nicole and Sabrina will guide the discussion, encouraging participants to share their perspectives, ask questions, and explore the profound themes presented in "The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois." Registration To participate in this insightful book discussion, please register at. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/778450074127?aff=oddtdtcreator . Registration is free and by donation, and all are welcome to join this enriching conversation. Support black-owned bookstores Where and how you choose to spend money has power. Shop Black Pearl Books, Austin, Texas, https://blackpearlbookstore.com or visit African American Literature Book Club, https://aalbc.com/bookstores/list.php to find a black-owned bookstore in your area.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 7-9pm EDT (UTC-4) The Dock C. Bracy Center’s Reading for Understanding monthly book discussions are free and have two requirements: Read the book and make time for the discussion. Cover of the book Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann Reading for Understanding: Free Monthly Virtual Book Discussions to Promote Reading, Ongoing Learning and Critical Conversations Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann Facilitated by Sabrina & Nicole Bookstore: Loyalty Bookstore, Washington, D.C., https://www.loyaltybookstores.com/ Uncover a gripping tale of crime, justice, and the birth of the FBI with our virtual book discussion featuring David Grann's meticulously researched work, "Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI." About the Book "Killers of the Flower Moon" unravels the chilling true story of the Osage Indian Nation murders in the early 20th century, a dark chapter in American history. David Grann skillfully weaves together historical accounts, investigative journalism, and personal narratives, offering a compelling exploration of corruption, prejudice, and the pursuit of justice. Discussion Highlights Analyzing the historical context and significance of the Osage murders Exploring the role of the FBI in its early days Discussing themes of systemic racism, exploitation, and resilience Reflecting on the book's impact on our understanding of American history Virtual Platform Join us on a secure and interactive virtual platform that fosters engaging discussions. Registered participants will receive a link to the virtual event in advance, ensuring a seamless connection to this riveting literary exploration. Facilitators Sabrina and Nicole will guide the discussion, encouraging participants to share their thoughts, ask questions, and explore the profound themes presented in "Killers of the Flower Moon." Registration To participate in this insightful book discussion, please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/779036849187?aff=oddtdtcreator . Registration is free and by donation, and all are welcome to join this enriching conversation. Support black-owned bookstores Where and how you choose to spend money has power. Shop Loyalty Bookstore, Washington, D.C., https://www.loyaltybookstores.com/ or visit African American Literature Book Club, https://aalbc.com/bookstores/list.php to find a black-owned bookstore in your area.

Sunday, November 24, 2024, 7-9pm EST (UTC-5) The Dock C. Bracy Center’s Reading for Understanding monthly book discussions are free and have two requirements: Read the book and make time for the discussion. Cover of the book Half American. by Matthew F. Delmont Reading for Understanding: Free Monthly Virtual Book Discussions to Promote Reading, Ongoing Learning and Critical Conversations Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad by Matthew F. Delmont Facilitated by Linda & Deborah Bookstore: The Dock Bookshop, Fort Worth, Texas, https://www.thedockbookshop.com/ Embark on a compelling journey through history with our virtual book discussion featuring Matthew F. Delmont's illuminating work, "Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad." About the Book "Half American" chronicles the often-overlooked contributions and challenges faced by African Americans during World War II. Matthew F. Delmont brings to life the stories of those who fought on both the home front and the battlefield, shedding light on their struggles for equality and recognition. Join us as we delve into this epic narrative of resilience, patriotism, and the fight for civil rights. Discussion Highlights Analyzing the experiences of African Americans during World War II Exploring the intersection of military service and the struggle for civil rights Discussing the impact of wartime contributions on the broader narrative of American history Reflecting on the relevance of these stories in today's context Virtual Platform Connect with fellow history enthusiasts on our interactive virtual platform, designed for engaging and inclusive discussions. Registered participants will receive a link to the virtual event in advance, ensuring a seamless connection to this historical exploration. Facilitators Deborah and Linda will guide the discussion, encouraging participants to share their insights, ask questions, and explore the profound themes presented in "Half American." Registration To participate in this insightful book discussion, please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/779036538257?aff=oddtdtcreator . Registration is free and by donation, and all are welcome to join this enriching conversation. Support black-owned bookstores Where and how you choose to spend money has power. Shop The Dock Bookshop, Fort Worth, Texas, https://www.thedockbookshop.com/ or visit African American Literature Book Club, https://aalbc.com/bookstores/list.php to find a black-owned bookstore in your area.

Photograph by Luca Nicoletti This four session learning series is delivered virtually over four consecutive weeks. Each week, there is required pre-work and a two hour live group discussion. What are the goals of the learning series? Assist participants in understanding the complexity, and the simplicity, of racism using critical thinking, self-reflection, and communication. Connect this to an understanding of other systems of oppression. Create a safe, healing learning environment for participants to learn, grow, and explore racism in our society, and in ourselves. Begin to develop implementable strategies to address/repair the harm racism has caused. Introduce the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation and offer a path forward. Participant Commitments To do all pre-work before attending class. To attend all sessions in their entirety (if there is a problem, let us know). To being fully present and engaged in class. To take responsibility for your learning. All these commitments are essential to your learning, the group process, and the success of this program. When is the October 2024 learning series? The Complexity of Systemic Racism (Session #1), Thursday, October 31, 2024, 7-9 pm EDT (UTC-4 hours) Institutional Racism & White Privilege (Session #2), Thursday, November 7, 2024, 7-9 pm EDT (UTC-4 hours) Building Conversational Skills for Challenging Racism (Session #3), Thursday, November 14, 2024, 7-9 pm EDT (UTC-4 hours) Taking Action Making Change (Session #4), Thursday, November 21, 2024, 7-9 pm EDT (UTC-4 hours) Sessions for this series begin promptly at: 7:00:00 pm EDT (UTC-4 hours) 6:00:00 pm CDT (UTC-5 hours) 4:00:00 pm PDT (UTC-7 hours) 1:00:00 pm HST (UTC-10 hours) PLEASE NOTE: You need only to register for the Thursday, October 31, 2024 session—the first of four sessions. Registration closes Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 7pm EDT (UTC-4). What's the cost? $100. We hope that you will consider making a donation via Eventbrite registration of $100 to help cover the costs of the learning series. If this creates financial hardship, feel free to donate an amount that is appropriate for you—no one will be turned away due to inability to pay. Likewise, if you’d like to donate a bit more to help cover the cost of another participant, we would be very grateful. What should I expect? Estimated time commitment for the entire series including the readings and videos is approximately 14 hours. The learning series provides an introduction to the Dock C. Bracy Center’s understanding and approach to eradicating racism. Sessions include videos, articles, small group discussions and short presentations designed with adult learning concepts. Participants are expected to attend all four sessions of the learning series—four consecutive weeks, two hour live group discussions and pre-work. Each session includes pre-work, to be completed in advance of the session, which provides participants a common experience to enhance small group discussions and complements the Center’s presentations. Following completion of the learning series participants will have the opportunity to continue their learning through the Finding Your Voice Program . For questions, please us our contact form .

Our apologies: The Eradicating Racism: A Path Forward learning series is being adapted from our four session series to an online offering to increase accessibility. Implementation is scheduled for January 2026. Updates will be posted as they become available. Dock ’s Corner is also undergoing revisions to enhance its value for our Finding Your Voice community. We will keep you informed about the implementation timeline. The Reading for Understanding monthly book club and the Let’s Talk Webinar series will continue as scheduled. The next Reading for Understanding sessio n is on February 23, 2025. The next Let’s Talk Webinar is set for March 2025. If you have any questions, please contact us .

Let's Talk Series by Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 7-9 pm EDT (UTC-4), David Pepper, Lawyer, Writer, Political Activist, Former Elected Official, Adjunct Professor and Author , presented Let’s Talk Series: Saving Democracy in the Short- and Long-Term as a live webinar. Continue the Learning David Pepper is the author of of Laboratories of Autocracy (St. Helena Press 2021)  and Saving Democracy (St. Helena Press 2023) . Where and how you choose to spend money has power. Please consider purchasing books from a black-owned bookstore . Connect with David Pepper Website: https://davidpepper.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidpepper Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/davidpepper Additional Resources/References More about the Dock C. Bracy Center: https://www.dcbcenter.org/ "Freedom is not a state; it is an act. It is not some enchanted garden perched high on a distant plateau where we can finally sit down and rest. Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society." —John Lewis More about David's book "Saving Democracy: A User's Manual for Every American" https://savedemocracy.us/ First nonfiction book: Laboratories of Autocracy: A Wake-Up Call from Behind the Lines https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59359827-laboratories-of-autocracy "MEPs: Hungary can no longer be considered a full democracy" https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220909IPR40137/meps-hungary-can-no-longer-be-considered-a-full-democracy "Partisan Split on Election Integrity Gets Even Wider" https://news.gallup.com/poll/651185/partisan-split-election-integrity-gets-even-wider.aspx Composition of state houses: https://www.ncsl.org/about-state-legislatures/state-partisan-composition "More than 150,000 bills were introduced in legislative sessions in statehouses across the country in 2021*, according to FiscalNote's analysis. Among those, almost 33,000 were enacted." https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fiscalnote-releases-2021-most-effective-states-legislative-report-301443817.html See which states are expanding — or restricting — voting rights https://publicintegrity.org/politics/elections/who-counts/see-which-states-are-expanding-or-restricting-voting-rights/ Who Draws the Maps? Legislative and Congressional Redistricting https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/who-draws-maps-legislative-and-congressional-redistricting Wisconsin Picks New Legislative Maps That Would End Years of GOP Gerrymandering https://www.propublica.org/article/new-wisconsin-district-map-gop-gerrymander-elections More than half of U.S. counties have no access or very limited access to local news https://www.medill.northwestern.edu/news/2023/more-than-half-of-us-counties-have-no-access-or-very-limited-access-to-local-news.html How the Redistricting Reform Ballot Initiative Would Change the Process https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/how-redistricting-reform-ballot-initiative-would-change-process Redistricting report card by state: (level of gerrymandering) https://gerrymander.princeton.edu/redistricting-report-card/ U.S. political parties become extremist to get more votes New model uses voting data to find out why parties have become more polarized https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2020/08/u-s-political-parties-become-extremist-to-get-more-votes-political-polarization/?fj=1 Tennessee’s House expels 2 of 3 Democrats over guns protest https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-lawmakers-expulsion-d3f40559c56a051eec49e416a7b5dade Electoral history of Speaker Mike Johnson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ "Downward spiral of outcomes" ALEC has tremendous influence in state legislatures. Here’s why. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2013/12/09/alec-has-tremendous-influence-in-state-legislatures-heres-why/ ALEC’s Corporate Funders Are Complicit in State-Based Assaults on Voting Rights and Democracy https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/alec-corporations-democracy/ If you want detail on all this, check out David Pepper's books "Laboratories of Autocracy" and "Saving Democracy." "Saving Democracy" has a lot of tangible, practical steps that David is outlining here. Stacey Abrams On Her Oscar-Contending Doc ‘All In,’ And How To “Right-Size Our Democracy” https://deadline.com/2021/03/all-in-producer-stacey-abrams-amazon-studios-documentary-interview-news-1234709235/ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/04/stacey-abrams-georgia-legacy How Stacey Abrams and her band of believers turned Georgia blue https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/08/stacey-abrams-believers-georgia-blue-434985 Find out who's running where you live with League of Women Voters info: https://www.vote411.org/ballot The League also collects information submitted by candidates to help voters decide who to vote for. More from David on how to save democracy: https://savedemocracy.us/ Ohio’s Legacy of Gerrymandering Could End This November https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/ohios-legacy-gerrymandering-could-end-november How to run for something! https://runforsomething.net/run/ More on running for office: https://www.npr.org/2019/10/15/770332855/how-to-run-for-office More on how to register to vote: https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote "We all are on the frontlines. There's much more we could be doing." More about John Lewis: https://civilrightstrail.com/experience/rep-john-lewis/ https://www.biography.com/political-figures/john-lewis U.S. Senate Democrats Introduce Sweeping National Redistricting Bill https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/u-s-senate-democrats-introduce-sweeping-national-redistricting-bill/ By the way, Democracy Docket is a reliable source of information about voting rights and elections. In all aspects, including legal cases. https://www.democracydocket.com/about-us/ The Dock C Bracy Center has a monthly book club where we read books on these very topics! Our past reading list is a great starting point. https://www.dcbcenter.org/reading-for-understanding The books from this year: https://www.facebook.com/dcbcenter/posts/pfbid0NcrB5r9o2J6bA9qddA1mJLHKrjXf6peDcEMqK78YDfQiX8hKdFXHS7MiW67AxJ9Ll And from previous years: https://www.facebook.com/dcbcenter/posts/pfbid015A75xMqXcmqG2aT3e4y9rTgdTGDsBhj1JzHyKaYqqfDD2ZW2rBPgbh5WeX7qkHkl Clean Elections in Arizona: https://www.azcleanelections.gov/ Public Campaign Financing The U.S. campaign finance system unfairly favors a small handful of wealthy donors. Small donor public financing could fix that. https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/reform-money-politics/public-campaign-financing There has been prosecutions of people who participated in Jan. 6 events, and before, at federal and state level. Some of those results: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/43-months-jan-6-attack-capitol Tracking the Trump criminal cases by Politico: https://www.politico.com/interactives/2023/trump-criminal-investigations-cases-tracker-list/ "A coup only has to succeed one time..." Here's how Donald Trump could fight to overturn a 2024 loss: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/10/13/how-trump-may-fight-2024-election-result/75252952007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p Webinar Recording:The White Power Movement: Its History, Threat and What You Can Do About It https://www.dcbcenter.org/post/webinar-recording-the-white-power-movement-its-history-threat-and-what-you-can-do-about-it The speak on white power movement: Julie Farnam's book: "Domestic Darkness" https://www.jfarnam.com/ Is a New Constitutional Convention a Good Idea? https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/new-constitutional-convention-good-idea "The document itself lays out the rules for calling a convention – two-thirds of the states, or 34, have to petition Congress to call the meeting, according to Article V of the Constitution." https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/22/politics/constitutional-convention-explainer/index.html Isabel Wilkerson https://www.isabelwilkerson.com/ "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" Sundown Towns A Hidden Dimension of American Racism https://thenewpress.com/books/sundown-towns ^Same author wrote: Lies My Teacher Told Me Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong https://thenewpress.com/books/lies-my-teacher-told-me The Legacy of the Reconstruction Era’s Black Political Leaders https://time.com/6145193/black-politicians-reconstruction/ Black Legislators during Reconstruction https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/black-legislators-during-reconstruction/ The Debate Over Mail-In Voting Dates Back to the Civil War In 1864, Democrats and Republicans clashed over legislation allowing soldiers to cast their ballots from the front https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/debate-over-mail-voting-dates-back-civil-war-180976091/ The Myth of Voter Fraud https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/ensure-every-american-can-vote/vote-suppression/myth-voter-fraud How we know voter fraud is very rare in U.S. elections https://www.npr.org/2024/10/11/nx-s1-5147732/voter-fraud-explainer David Pepper is writing a series about 2025 https://davidpepper.substack.com/ Find podcast here: https://davidpepper.substack.com/podcast You can sign up for David Pepper's newsletter there, too https://davidpepper.substack.com/p/new-pod-episode-the-attack-on-workers https://davidpepper.substack.com/p/new-pod-episode-the-department-of There's been LOTS of news coverage on Project 2025, but David makes it real. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/10/01/project-2025-explained-what-to-know-about-the-right-wing-policy-map-ahead-of-tonights-vp-debate/ 'I'm literally reading his quotes': Tapper presses GOP governor on Trump's remarks https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/15/politics/video/glenn-youngkin-jake-tapper-interview-trump-digvid "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." –Maya Angelou Timothy Snyder "On Freedom" https://timothysnyder.org/on-freedom He also wrote "On Tyranny" and "The Road to Unfreedom" The Local Impact Of Uncontested Elections https://www.npr.org/2024/09/12/1198912901/1a-09-12-2024 Ballot Measures: American Direct Democracy at Work https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/31/opinion/campaign-stops/ballot-measures-american-direct-democracy-at-work.html https://savedemocracy.us/#build Ways to get involved in local government https://libnews.umn.edu/2021/09/ways-to-get-involved-in-local-government/ Seriously, lots of these details in David's book "Saving Democracy" Australia threatens fines for social media giants enabling misinformation https://www.reuters.com/technology/australia-threatens-fines-social-media-giants-enabling-misinformation-2024-09-12/ Lessons for social media from the Fairness Doctrine AP: FACT FOCUS: A look at the false information around Hurricanes Helene and Milton https://apnews.com/article/election-hurricanes-false-info-helene-milton-a4c2df2463b69c1f2e3eb6846e3b37ae Recent book on disinformation: Attack from Within How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America https://www.sevenstories.com/books/4577-attack-from-within?srsltid=AfmBOopLKUwRKdMz9z0dVVkiIrRndMkdlJqKt73HTv4W93DzQna0vRkg "Twenty-three states and Washington, D.C., have implemented same-day registration, which allows any qualified resident of the state to register to vote and cast a ballot at the same time" https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/same-day-voter-registration Eight states and Washington, D.C., allow all elections to be conducted entirely by mail: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington state. https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-18-states-with-all-mail-elections About half the states and Washington, D.C., are categorized by NCSL as having enacted or implemented automatic voter registration. https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/automatic-voter-registration ‘The chilling effect’: behind GOP-led states’ efforts to purge some voters from the rolls https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/30/gop-led-states-voting-rights Liz Cheney issues dire warning about ‘fundamentally cruel’ Trump, agrees he’s a ‘fascist’ https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/liz-cheney-issues-dire-warning-fundamentally-cruel-trump-agrees-s-fasc-rcna175193 Why Russia’s Democracy Never Began https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/why-russias-democracy-never-began/ "It's either you weighing in or everybody else." Americans’ Dismal Views of the Nation’s Politics 65% say they always or often feel exhausted when thinking about politics https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/09/19/americans-dismal-views-of-the-nations-politics/ Pew: Just 4% of U.S. adults say the political system is working extremely or very well Turnout in U.S. has soared in recent elections but by some measures still trails that of many other countries https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/11/01/turnout-in-u-s-has-soared-in-recent-elections-but-by-some-measures-still-trails-that-of-many-other-countries/ Challenges Facing Student Voters https://www.lwv.org/blog/challenges-facing-student-voters Find out more about David Pepper here: https://davidpepper.com/ Subscribe to his newsletter at https://davidpepper.substack.com/ Info from his Save Democracy book: https://savedemocracy.us/ You can find recordings of old webinars at https://www.dcbcenter.org/resources-old Webinar on the White Power Movement: https://www.dcbcenter.org/post/webinar-recording-the-white-power-movement-its-history-threat-and-what-you-can-do-about-it David Pepper is a lawyer, writer, democracy activist, former elected official, and adjunct professor, and served as the Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party between 2015 and 2021. His recent non-fiction works dissect the attack on democracy taking place in states like Ohio, and guide everyday citizens on steps they can take to lift democracy. Pepper’s book Laboratories of Autocracy (St. Helena Press 2021)  has been called “arguably the most important” recent book on American democracy by Salon Magazine, and his follow-up book Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual (2023)  has been widely praised and featured on MSNBC, CNN, C-SPAN and other networks. Born and raised in Cincinnati, David is a fifth-generation Cincinnatian. David earned his B.A. magna cum laude from Yale University, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, and later earned his J.D. from Yale Law School. David served on Cincinnati City Council from 2001-2005, then on the Hamilton County Commission from 2007-2010, including as its president in 2009-2010. David was the Democratic candidate for Ohio Auditor in 2010 and Ohio Attorney General in 2014. He was elected chair of the Ohio Democratic Party in December 2014. In that role, he was engaged in numerous battles and extensive litigation over voter suppression and election laws in the Buckeye State, as well as reform efforts to enhance voting and end gerrymandering. He championed ballot initiatives that twice garnered 70% of the vote across Ohio, and spearheaded the effort to elect an independent Supreme Court in the state for the first time in a generation. Learning with the Center Eradicating Racism series: https://www.dcbcenter.org/eradicating-racism-learning-series   More about DCBC monthly book club, Reading for Understanding: https://www.dcbcenter.org/reading-for-understanding   For future Let's Talk Series events, please subscribe to our email list at: https://www.dcbcenter.org/subscribe . The Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation is a non-profit 501(c)(3). Please support us by making a tax-deductible donation in the following ways: Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Cash App Pay with Stripe: https://donate.stripe.com/aEUeXq8gZdKO95mcMN PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=J4RNUU73SN6WG Venmo: https://venmo.com/dcbcenter Checks may be mailed to: Dock C. Bracy Center Inc. P.O. Box 320020 Boston, MA 02132 No amount is too small, and every contribution is appreciated.

Speaker: David Pepper, Lawyer, Writer, Political Activist, Former Elected Official and Adjunct Professor Please join us via Zoom on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 7-9 pm EDT (UTC-4) for Let’s Talk Series: Saving Democracy in the Short- and Long-Term . Every presidential cycle, the narrative is the same. This Presidential election is the key to saving democracy. Four years later, the same narrative repeats, but of late, democracy never feels any safer.  David Pepper has written two books explaining the deeper battle against democracy that has been playing out for decades, damaging key safeguards for democracy at levels and in places that are too often overlooked. Once you understand that that is the true front line in the battle for democracy, the need to have a broader and deeper battle to save democracy--beyond even presidential and US Senate elections—becomes paramount. Pepper will walk through that deeper strategy. David Pepper, Lawyer, Writer, Political Activist, Former Elected Official, Adjunct Professor and Author of Laboratories of Autocracy (St. Helena Press 2021)  and Saving Democracy (St. Helena Press 2023) , Senior Fellow, Kettering Foundation. David Pepper is a lawyer, writer, democracy activist, former elected official, and adjunct professor, and served as the Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party between 2015 and 2021. His recent non-fiction works dissect the attack on democracy taking place in states like Ohio, and guide everyday citizens on steps they can take to lift democracy. Pepper’s book Laboratories of Autocracy (St. Helena Press 2021)  has been called “arguably the most important” recent book on American democracy by Salon Magazine, and his follow-up book Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual (2023)  has been widely praised and featured on MSNBC, CNN, C-SPAN and other networks. Born and raised in Cincinnati, David is a fifth-generation Cincinnatian. David earned his B.A. magna cum laude from Yale University, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, and later earned his J.D. from Yale Law School. David served on Cincinnati City Council from 2001-2005, then on the Hamilton County Commission from 2007-2010, including as its president in 2009-2010. David was the Democratic candidate for Ohio Auditor in 2010 and Ohio Attorney General in 2014. He was elected chair of the Ohio Democratic Party in December 2014. In that role, he was engaged in numerous battles and extensive litigation over voter suppression and election laws in the Buckeye State, as well as reform efforts to enhance voting and end gerrymandering. He championed ballot initiatives that twice garnered 70% of the vote across Ohio, and spearheaded the effort to elect an independent Supreme Court in the state for the first time in a generation. Before the Event Although not required to attend this event, we suggest reading Laboratories of Autocracy (St. Helena Press 2021)  and Saving Democracy (St. Helena Press 2023)  and purchasing it from a black-owned bookstore . All registered participants will have access to a brief pre-event survey that allows questions to be submitted to our speaker. During the Event This is a webinar style event. All registered participants will have the opportunity to submit questions to our speaker. Questions will be screened and asked, given the time allowed. After the Event All registered participants will receive a post-event email including a survey and additional resources. A recording of the event will be publicly available on the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation website, in the days following our event. Please join us via Zoom on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 7-9 pm EDT (UTC-4) for Let’s Talk Series: Saving Democracy in the Short- and Long-Term. Please register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saving-democracy-in-the-short-and-long-term-tickets-938618913437?aff=website . Wednesday, October 16, 2024 Boston 7 pm EDT (UTC-4) Cincinnati 7 pm EDT (UTC-4) Salt Lake City 5 pm MDT (UTC-6) Seattle 4 pm PDT (UTC-7) Honolulu 1 pm HST (UTC-10) Corresponding UTC (GMT) 23:00:00 Social Website: https://davidpepper.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidpepper Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/davidpepper

Let's Talk Series by Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 7-9 pm EDT (UTC-4), Julie Farnam, National Security & Intelligence Expert and Author, presented Lets' Talk Series: The White Power Movement: Its History, Threat and What You Can Do About It as a live webinar. Continue the Learning Julie Farnam is the author of Domestic Darkness: An Insider's Account of the January 6th Insurrection, and the Future of Right-Wing Extremism  (Ig Publishing, 2024) Where and how you choose to spend money has power. Please consider purchasing books from a black-owned bookstore . Connect with Julie Farnam Website: https://www.jfarnam.com Additional Resources/References Sisters in Hate book: https://www.npr.org/2020/07/20/890752575/sisters-in-hate-svrofiles-3-women-who-find-bonds-in-white-nationalist-movement Dying of Whiteness: https://www.dyingofwhiteness.com/ REMVE: Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism More about Martin Niemöller: https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/martin-niemoeller-first-they-came-for-the-socialists More on the Great Replacement Theory: https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2022/05/17/racist-great-replacement-conspiracy-theory-explained More about Patriot Front from Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups: https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/patriot-front More on NSC-131: https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/nationalist-social-club-nsc-131 More about Blood Tribe: https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/blood-tribe More about Odinists: White supremacists are killing in the name of an ancient Nordic religion https://theworld.org/stories/2017/05/25/ancient-nordic-religion-inspiring-white-supremacist-jihad Prosecutors to seek death penalty for white supremacist who killed 10 at Buffalo supermarket: https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-supermarket-shooting-death-penalty-b6ab8eda541c2c0a0b512a89b0471b91 Active Club Network: https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/active-club-network Asatru Folk Assembly: https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/asatru-folk-assembly Fear Spreads in Minnesota Town as ‘Extremist Group’ Moves to Open Church: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/us/minnesota-asatru-folk-assembly.html SPLC on The Base: https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/base White Lives Matter: https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/white-lives-matter Proud Boys: https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys How ‘The Turner Diaries’ Incites White Supremacists: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/12/books/turner-diaries-white-supremacists.html From Julie's book: "Mason draws inspiration from Hitler and Nazi Germany, as well as Charles Manson, who was a friend of his. Mason continues to advise and motivate a new generation of neo-Nazis. He is very much a leader in the ideological space, and while disrupting his sway would be beneficial, making him lose relevance is more difficult than simply removing a leader from power." --Page 237 From the book: "More recently, Patriot Front has engaged in humanitarian acts such as removing graffiti, collecting litter, and passing out meals to the homeless, making them even more dangerous by engaging in activities that appear legitimate." --Page 55 A rural Washington school board race shows how far-right extremists are shifting to local power: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/01/08/far-right-school-boards/ Slide 14: https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/07/politics/threats-us-public-officials-democracy-invs/index.html If you want more details on how people become radicalized, Julie covers in Chapter 13 of her book "Domestic Darkness" https://www.jfarnam.com/books Slide 15: https://www.dni.gov/files/NCTC/documents/news_documents/Mobilization_Indicators_Booklet_2021.pdf You can see where hate groups are located across the U.S. with information gathered by the Southern Poverty Law Center: https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map Threats to members of Congress, Capitol increased last year: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/01/19/capitol-congress-threats-increase/ Domestic Radicalization and Deradicalization: Insights from Family and Friends: https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/domestic-radicalization-and-deradicalization-insights-family-and-friends From Julie's book: "The opposition is denying children the opportunity to empathize with the adversity and struggles others have faced. This is not a "woke takeover of education" as the Heritage Foundation has declared. It is basic humanity." --Page 261 The Rising Threat of Domestic Terrorism in the U.S. and Federal Efforts to Combat It: https://www.gao.gov/blog/rising-threat-domestic-terrorism-u.s.-and-federal-efforts-combat-it UK Prevent: https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/what-we-do/prevent/ Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships at Department of Homeland Security in US: https://www.dhs.gov/CP3 Why Julie ran for office: https://www.arlnow.com/2024/06/14/julie-farnam-why-you-should-vote-for-me/ Julie Farnam's website: www.jfarnam.com It also lists other speaking engagements https://www.jfarnam.com/speaking-engagements Parents and Caregivers Guide to online youth radicalization from SPLC: https://www.splcenter.org/peril-guide-online-youth-radicalization Can you ask Julie to address left-wing extremism? Someone asked about Left-Wing, Anarchist and Single-Issue Terrorism (LASIT) USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services https://www.uscis.gov/ , Julie worked there Implicit bias: https://perception.org/research/implicit-bias/ Implicit bias test: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html How to Think about ‘Implicit Bias’ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-think-about-implicit-bias/ More on election misinformation: https://www.brennancenter.org/election-misinformation Presidential election a prime target for foreign disinformation, intelligence officials say: https://apnews.com/article/disinformation-election-interference-russia-china-2925ca62c1ba8c1893454ccb2f76785a A guide on evaluating internet resources: https://library.georgetown.edu/tutorials/research-guides/evaluating-internet-content Another version: https://www.smu.ca/academics/evaluating-internet-resources.html How to spot bots and trolls: https://gijn.org/stories/how-to-identify-bots-trolls-and-botnets/ Bottom line: Pause and think before you share and post on social media More on election misinformation: https://www.brennancenter.org/election-misinformatio Presidential election a prime target for foreign disinformation, intelligence officials say: https://apnews.com/article/disinformation-election-interference-russia-china-2925ca62c1ba8c1893454ccb2f76785a A guide on evaluating internet resources: https://library.georgetown.edu/tutorials/research-guides/evaluating-internet-content Another version: https://www.smu.ca/academics/evaluating-internet-resources.html Bottom line: Pause and think before you share and post on social media Julie recommends: Sisters in Hate book: https://www.npr.org/2020/07/20/890752575/sisters-in-hate-svrofiles-3-women-who-find-bonds-in-white-nationalist-movement Data on banned books from American Library Association: https://www.ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data The Hate Store: Amazon’s Self-Publishing Arm Is a Haven for White Supremacists: https://www.propublica.org/article/the-hate-store-amazons-self-publishing-arm-is-a-haven-for-white-supremacists What does the term "incel" mean? https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/16/us/incel-involuntary-celibate-explained-cec/index.html Experts fear rising global ‘incel’ culture could provoke terrorism: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/oct/30/global-incel-culture-terrorism-misogyny-violent-action-forums What Is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It Under Attack? https://www.edweek.org/leadership/what-is-critical-race-theory-and-why-is-it-under-attack/2021/05 Critical Race Theory: A Brief History https://www.nytimes.com/article/what-is-critical-race-theory.html Why Is It So Hard To Prosecute White Extremists? https://www.themarshallproject.org/2021/04/01/why-is-it-so-hard-to-prosecute-white-extremists Why are hate crimes so hard to convict in court? https://publicintegrity.org/inequality-poverty-opportunity/addressing-anti-asian-hate/why-are-hate-crimes-so-hard-to-convict-in-court/ There are some efforts to civilly sue extremist groups as a way to hold people accountable. Jury finds rally organizers liable for the violence that broke out in Charlottesville https://www.npr.org/2021/11/23/1058024314/charlottesville-unite-the-right-trial-verdict It's detailed in a book, and talked about in this podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lady-justice-and-charlottesville-nazis/id928790786?i=1000579713408 How AI could perpetuate racism, sexism and other biases in society https://www.npr.org/2023/07/19/1188739764/how-ai-could-perpetuate-racism-sexism-and-other-biases-in-society Systemic Racism in AI: How Algorithms Replicate White Supremacy and Injustice https://www.teenvogue.com/story/systemic-racism-ai-algorithms From a participant: Everyday Denazification in Postwar Germany by Mikkel Mack (2023) provides context for the process that was called deNazification: https://assets.cambridge.org/97810092/16333/frontmatter/9781009216333_frontmatter.pdf Once more, Julie's website, where you can contact her, find her books, speaking engagements, etc. https://www.jfarnam.com/ The next event in our Let's Talk series is Oct. 16: Saving Democracy in the Short- and Long-Term with David Pepper https://www.dcbcenter.org/post/saving-democracy-in-the-short-and-long-term The Dock C. Bracy Center also has a monthly book club reading anti-racist books. The next one is Sept. 29: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-discussion-of-getting-real-about-race-by-s-mcclure-c-harris-tickets-779037140057?aff=oddtdtcreator The Center also has education series about Eradicating Racism. The next cohort starts in October: https://www.dcbcenter.org/post/eradicating-racism-a-path-forward-learning-series-october-2024 You can find recordings of past Center events at https://www.dcbcenter.org/resources-old Julie Farnam served as the Assistant and then Acting Director of Intelligence for the United States Capitol Police during one of the most tumultuous periods in this country’s history. During her time there, she oversaw the identification and vetting of nearly 20,000 threats against members of Congress, many of which were made by U.S. citizens who adhered to extremist ideologies. Prior to joining the Capitol Police, Farnam served with the Department of Homeland Security for over fifteen years. Learning with the Center Eradicating Racism series: https://www.dcbcenter.org/eradicating-racism-learning-series   More about DCBC monthly book club, Reading for Understanding: https://www.dcbcenter.org/reading-for-understanding   For future Let's Talk Series events, please subscribe to our email list at: https://www.dcbcenter.org/subscribe .

As we kick off our 2024 donation drive, we are reaching out to our community for support. No amount is too small, and every contribution is appreciated. Your generosity can make a significant impact on our cause. The Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation operates as a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the tax code. Please support us by making a tax-deductible donation in the following ways:   Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Cash App Pay with Stripe: https://donate.stripe.com/aEUeXq8gZdKO95mcMN PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=J4RNUU73SN6WG Venmo: https://venmo.com/dcbcenter   Checks may be mailed to: Dock C. Bracy Center Inc. P.O. Box 320020 Boston, MA 02132 Keep an eye out for updates and events as we collaborate to bring about positive change. We appreciate your involvement in this significant journey!