In May 2024, it was announced that CitySquare would be closing at the end of that year. There were leadership, organizational, and funding changes, as well as the challenges of operating a nonprofit organization in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. I know firsthand how these factors impact the ability to rebound and run an organization, as I had to lead through it at CitySquare and other organizations.
Still, I must admit I never thought it would end like this. When I heard the news, my heart dropped. I spoke with former colleagues and friends as we comforted one another in our collective grief. It’s hard to put into words the complex feelings of a place where I spent 12 years of my life and career. Where I learned so much about the city where I was raised, poverty, faith, inequity, power (how to steward it well and what happens when you don’t), leadership, innovation, community, grace, love, myself, and most of all, PEOPLE.
I have heard and read many opinions about CitySquare closing, which is understandable. The organization means a great deal to many people for various reasons. The organization and its leaders were not perfect, but it is still one of the best and most enriching experiences I’ve had. I trust that God either causes or allows all things for a reason. That has given me a great sense of peace, and no matter what, every time I think about our beloved CitySquare, it all comes back to the PEOPLE.
I decided to channel some of my mourning into a love letter to the Poverty Fighters of CitySquare. Poverty Fighter is a moniker near and dear to my heart, as I proposed the term to help define our internal identity after we changed our name from Central Dallas Ministries to CitySquare. We had just gone through layoffs and made tough decisions in 2009, following the recession, and then rebranded in late 2010. We had clarity on presenting who we were externally, but had a lot of work to do to rebuild internally. Knowing how we banded together —then and now —brings me joy. To have worked anywhere in the organization is a badge of honor that you wear forever, and I am honored to have served as the organization’s Chief People Officer. One of the most important aspects of my job was to amplify the humanity, the value, and the work of the CitySquare team, as understandably, so much of our focus was on the external work we were doing in the community.
The Poverty Fighters of CitySquare made me a better person and leader. I am forever grateful and indebted to them. They are brilliant and beautiful humans who make our city, state, country, and world a better place. I don’t want the stories of the people who did the work to get lost or be forgotten. As we navigate the current political climate, I am also disheartened by the erasure of the progress and contributions of people in and from marginalized communities, specifically Black people. I was inspired by two Dallas legends I admire, Marilyn Clark and Diane Ragsdale and their work in documenting Black women’s contributions to the Civil Rights and Black Power Movement. So, I want to start this journey on Juneteenth by centering Black women’s contributions to CitySquare.
I hope we can see our shared humanity through the stories of these women who contributed their brilliance, leadership, care, creativity, and so much more to help CitySquare realize its mission. Thank you for joining me during this mourning, celebration, reflection, and reclamation journey- Soul of CitySquare.
