THIS is what #gamechanger looks like. THIS is what authentic, passionate, empowered, deeply-missioned-for-good in pink statement glasses looks like.
Villy Wang – Massive congrats to you and to BAYCAT for 20 years of “educating, empowering, and employing hundreds of young BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and women creatives who are using their voices to drive change and create justice through media." It is a one of my greatest professional honors to know you, to have partnered with you, and to witness your amazing impact continue to unfold.
YOU were the STANDOUT in that sea of non-profit executive directors I was privileged to speak to all those years ago at Bank of America’s grant recipient event. Thank you for reaching out afterwards to invite me to be part of Baycat’s journey.
I’m happily answering your call-to-action to celebrate #BAYCAT20Years by posting a picture and sharing favorite memories. Here are three:
1. Your always infectious, soul-sourced energy for empowering voices that deserve and need to be heard. With your incredible ability to connect, influence, uplift, and to catalyze change whether 1:1, in a large group of peers, at a BAYCAT cohort workshop, hosting a killer fundraiser atop Saleforce tower, or at an #InFocus premier, YOU model owning your voice, having a perspective, thinking big and then bigger, and influencing better for the world, MUCH better. I will NEVER tire of seeing you in action nor marveling at the results of your passions.
2. Investing time with the beneficiaries of your vision and seeing you hold them accountable for maximizing the organization’s investment in them and seeing them meaningfully evolve as a result. Loved those circles, witnessing these young adults absorb, process, and vulnerably discuss how they become the voice, the leader they were meant to be and seeing tangible shifts happen real time.
3. Being moved to chills and tears watching a young BAYCAT participant on stage at an InFocus premiere. The power and conviction in her voice and her mature-beyond-her-years perspective were unforgettable. Your BAYCAT vision provided the space, the access, the nurturing, and the stage to make that happen for her and so many.
I know there’s so much more to come, but first, do pause properly to celebrate this milestone. Then, keep standing in your power, your influence, your vision for better. Thank you for your friendship, your inspiration, and the peace of mind for a better tomorrow that your efforts provide.
And thank you to Bank of America and to Gail Mohr, for so meaningfully investing in our communities through non-profit grants to great organizations like BAYCAT, and for investing not just dollars but also growing the #leadership in the non-profit space to allow them to further multiply their impact.
#grateful
