Dear Friends of Thrive,
It’s not every day that my personal and professional lives collide so significantly, but that’s exactly where I have found myself recently.
As some of you may know, about four weeks ago, my family was in the Chicago news because my stepson, Miles Thompson, was shot and killed in what may have been an attempted robbery while visiting his dad on Chicago’s West Side. The story gained some attention locally because 1) my stepson lived in the affluent northern suburb of Northbrook with his mom and stepdad, and was only on the West Side to visit his father, 2) he was killed on the eve of his 19th birthday, and 3) his body was found in the backyard the following morning by my 10-year-old son, Jonah.
Needless to say, it’s been an extraordinarily difficult few weeks.
Now that I’m past the initial shock of what happened, I’ve had an opportunity to reflect on the events that transpired and what they mean, not only for my family, but for so many families throughout our city. While media attention has largely focused on the human interest angle of the story, I am committed to using this personal tragedy to elevate a larger conversation focused on the structural conditions that contribute to the persistent gun violence in Chicago and the “upstream” investments that our city and civic leaders must make in order to stem the pipeline of disconnection that young people – and particularly boys and young men of color – face.
Specifically, I am intensifying Thrive’s efforts to:
- Reframe the prevailing narrative about boys and young men of color to promote stories and opportunities that support and affirm their inherent dignity, self-worth, and immense potential to contribute meaningfully to their communities and to this city as a whole.
- Strengthen access to the critical mental and emotional supports that help young people develop the skills, strategies, and perspectives they need to effectively navigate the complexities of their lives, particularly coming out of the turmoil of these past 18+ months.
- Leverage our role as a collective impact organization that sits at the intersection where sectors, stakeholders, decision-makers, and resources meet to break down the silos that so often separate and limit us in our work, our mindsets, and our impact.
With these commitments, Thrive will continue to add its voice to the chorus of those fighting for greater systemwide investments in education, employment, and mental health services – cornerstones for thriving individuals and communities. As friends and partners of Thrive Chicago, I look forward to our ongoing collaboration as we lean relentlessly into the fight to provide young people with pathways that lead to purposeful, productive, and meaningful lives.
Earlier this week, I had an opportunity to sit down with the news team from WTTW to share some reflections about my family’s tragedy and the larger implications for our city.
- If you have 9 minutes to spare, click here to learn more about the incident itself.
- If you have 5 more minutes, click here to hear more about Thrive’s work and our commitment to lifting up boys and young men of color, and
- If you have an additional 90 seconds, I invite you to listen to the prescient words of my amazing stepson, Miles, as he reminds us that no moment should ever be wasted to show love, extend a hand, and make a difference.
With gratitude,
