FLOWLab⁵

On Monday mornings, we could all use a little boost, right? I know I sure AF could use a reminder as to WHY I keep pushing SO hard, investing my own money and time into changing work and building a nonprofit ON TOP OF my for-profit consulting biz. Phew, no wonder I’m tired. Within 1 year founding my first business it was clear to me that to change systems you need to create a new ecosystem, that hits the current one punch for punch. This is how in 5 short years, I ended up with not 1 startup, but basically 3, and a 4th on the way. It's not easy to #MakeItWork, but it IS working. I had my best year of my consultancy last year (4th year) and then I shifted gears to go all in on building our nonprofit membership community, FLOWLab⁵. I believe in the nonprofit so much I reinvested all my income and so far I have zero regrets. Before I take a MUCH needed break, and before we officially launch the new site and shift to our first BIG capital push (fundraising), I'm asking for a boost to #KeepGoing. Leading a community on top of all this (with the BEST support ever) is still A LOT OF MAINTENANCE and massive amount of design work. I am also a human with needs...to sleep, eat, shower, parent, create, and run a household. If you are one of the 400+ people who have attended a FLOWLab session in the past 2 years, or a person who loves to see other social entrepreneurs continue to grow and expand their impact, please give a tax-deductible (U.S.) donation. We are SO CLOSE to launching our new site and platform. Support the Future of Work we're building TODAY.

Are you feeling overwhelmed with the flood of off-center information coming at you this election season? You're not alone. Many of us neurodivergent, marinalized indentifying, socially aware folks are going through it, Big Time!! There is a deluge of info coming at us so it's no wonder its challenging to navigate the sea of data, separating facts from fiction. If you're experiencing symptoms like difficulty concentrating, irritability, or second-guessing reliable sources, it's time to arm yourself with knowledge. FLOWLab⁵ has just the remedy! Join our special guest, Joe Cardillo, Founder, Coach and Disinformation Defense Director of ProgressNow New Mexico, for an insightful session that will equip you with tools to confidently handle disinformation. ⏰ WHEN? **We're starting earlier this week!** 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM PT 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM CT 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM ET 💡 EXPECT TO LEARN: A quick overview of mis/dis/mal information The top current elections-related disinformation threats Methods to measure the reach and impact of disinformation Strategies to combat disinformation effectively Techniques for crafting counter-messaging that resonates 👀 📝PRE-WORK: Come prepared with examples of disinformation you've encountered and get ready for an interactive session filled with memes, collaborative discussions, and exercises to strengthen your disinformation defense skills. This conversation promises to be nothing short of engaging and educational. Plus, you'll leave with some valuable resources to continue your journey in combating misinformation. Don't miss out on this opportunity to become a champion of truth! Save your spot now and join the movement towards a more informed population! Hope to see you there! 🚀✨. **Emily O. Weltman, M. Ed., this video will always be one of my all time faves!! #ProgressNow #FLOWLab5 #TogetherWeWin #ElectionIntegrity #InformationLiteracy #FactCheck #TruthWins The Link To Register Is In the Comments!!

Our Community Director is making moves and helping our community level up! If you need to get organized OR you need an accountability buddy OR you are as obsessed with your digital toolbox as much as we are… come check us out twice a week for our entrepreneur support meetups. We love to celebrate our fellow member’s achievements. We want to say congrats to Kara Smith, M.A. and thanks for pushing us forward! And thanks to Asmara Kazmi too of course! -Emily and FL5 members

Community is everything. IYKYK. If you don't, follow us and join us for Office Hours on July 9th. You'll see why our members are feeling the love...and we are feeling it right back!

Our dear FLOWLab⁵ Member Linda Berberich, PhD was recently interviewed BLOC Podcast episode, 91: Learning Technology “Always Learning New Things with Dr. Linda Berberich”. This podcast interview is chocked full of inspiration and terrific professional guidance particularly since it’s only 45 minutes long? Linda’s friend Dr Heidi Kirby is a terrific interviewer and the connection of their friendship is reflected in the ease and synchronicity of their conversation throughout. Linda is working a lot with AI and I particularly liked what she had to say about working in the male dominated world of IT, dealing with strong know-it-all personalities.  😎 When ever one of them says, “You can do it that way,” she has the thought of YOU Can’t I can, and has adopted the strategy of: “Don’t talk about it , be about it” - instead of making them look bad, I build the thing! Making the thing and then showing them!! Gotta LOVE THAT!! #Podcast #FLOWLab5 #TogetherWeCan

🚨Rad job alert for our writers in the room.

FLOWLab5 member Sam Chavez is having a Lunch & Learn to Brush Up on Inclusive Language Before Disability Pride Month! Sam and Brit Holmes are hosting the 30-minute event this Wednesday, June 12th for their monthly series for social change communicators. Come to the FREE event and learn about inclusive language. Disability Pride Month is coming up in July so it's the perfect event to be in synch!

There is a universal change when creative forces get in synch. FLOW Lab5 Member, Naomi Raquel Enright wrote the essay "There is Only Us," published in "Sharon's Anti-Racism Newsletter "by her fellow FLOW Lab5 Member, Sharon Hurley Hall (she/her). In the article, Naomi reflects on the profound implications the simplistic categorization of "black and white" has had on her life. The impact was particularly profound after the birth of her American-Ecuadorian son who appears "white". This binary, she asserts, is not just a benign classification but a deliberate construct designed to uphold a caste system where whiteness is synonymous with privilege, protection, and power. As she unfolds the tale of her journey of motherhood, Naomi illustrates the notion that race is immutable, teaching her son to reject the ethos of racist inequity. She emphasizes that neither colorblindness nor kindness can dismantle racism; instead, it requires a nuanced understanding that dismantles the lies underpinning systemic oppression. Her son's ability to not conflate identity with systemic functions exemplifies the change needed to defy the racist status quo. The article is a powerful call to action for rethinking how we teach children about race, identity, and challenging systemic racism. 🌟 The essay is an ideal addition to school's curriculum and is looking forward to collaborating on projects. 🌟 Naomi whole-heartedly acknowledges that without Sharon's request that she write this piece, "There is Only Us" would have never existed. Thank you always Sharon for your guidance, leadership and generosity. #FLOWLab5 #TogetherWeCan #NeverStop

If you want to change work "for good"?  Start here! Join us at Office Hours on Tuesday June 11th to see what we’re doing to reshape the #FutureOfWork. Benefit from a supportive community of practice and "mutual learning society." Everyone is welcome, especially neurodivergent creators, people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, and caregivers. We are queer positive, gender expansive, and anti-racist by default. 💙 💗 🧡 💚 💛 🖤

Check out this interesting perspective on being non-binary and how intersectional identities can make it even harder to feel welcome and accepted. We appreciate Maya’s personal take and the importance of inclusive communication, especially for remote teams and collaboration. Feeling seen and heard is important and not just during pride month. It’s also imperative to making work “work” for everyone.