Brogan & Partners’ Post

I'm from Middlesbrough, born and bred. The riots there took place directly outside my almost 90-year old Auntie's flat (where she took pictures of everyone involved to give to the police). It was upsetting and sickening, but I wasn't shocked. Before becoming an executive search consultant I worked in community development in the North East, Reading, and London for two decades. This racism and islamophobia has been building for years. Finding groups of people to other and blame, whether based on ethnicity, religion, sexuality, or gender, on whom frustration and anger can be vented, has been the go-to method of desperate politicians and journalists, keyboard warriors on social media, and bar flies in pubs and clubs for years. All of it creating a Them to blame in an attempt to increase power bases through division. And this was central to why I moved my full-time work from grassroots community development into education and sports executive search. These organisations have a deep reach into all communities and a unique potential to combat the increasing sense of Us and Them by creating a greater vision of what it means to be Us. Schools, Colleges, Universities, amateur and professional sports clubs, sports governing bodies, all of them have an unparalleled potential to challenge the negative narratives and enable people to participate in and co-create something real and hopeful. I do this job because appointing people to senior leadership positions in these organisations is one of the most significant interventions they can make. Asking how I can support my clients to have the leadership teams with the competencies, character, conviction, and chemistry they need to lead with hope, creativity, and skill is vital. And diversity in leadership is not an add-on to that, nor simply about increasing representation. It's about having the teams who have diversity of thought and experience, who know what it is to be othered and blamed, people who see the world differently from one another, so that together they can create strategies and programmes that will make a lasting difference. What I saw in Middlesbrough that day filled me with dread, but what I saw the next day was a town filled with far more people cleaning up the mess and reclaiming that space. And this drives me to want to do more. Creating community and revitalising work and economy in post-industrial towns in a globalised world is hard, especially when prejudice and fear are still so alive. Having the right leadership teams in education and sports plays an important part in getting us there, in helping people see there is nothing to fear in creating a greater Us. If you work in education or sports and you'd like a chat about how we might work together, then do get in touch. #education #highereducation #highered #schools #colleges #furthereducation #furthered #sport #sports

Please join us for this timely webinar on October 2nd with local leaders and our partners Over Zero and learn practical strategies for how we can meet this narrative moment.

On this International Day of Families, let's recognize the diverse structures, identities and dynamics that shape families around the world. From single-parent to multi-generational families, two-household families, and chosen families, each unit plays a unique and invaluable role in society. By embracing diversity and supporting families in all their forms, we can build a more equitable and compassionate world for future generations. Learn more about how to co-create culturally responsive, inclusive learning environments that embed diverse perspectives. https://ow.ly/YCmt50RH18F

At the National Civic League, we know civic engagement is vital for addressing issues like racial equity, youth leadership, and more. Discover our work here https://ow.ly/2kyQ50SjYtp

To activate the promise and potential of a Milwaukee for all, we have reshaped how we work at the Foundation and how we drive change together as a community. Learn about the four major strategic pillars that shape our work for the long term. https://lnkd.in/gaTPQV8a

In my journey with AAP, I've engaged in numerous conversations with colleagues across agencies about the challenges and benefits of AAP in multi-agency operations. Here's what I've learned: AAP is a critical component of humanitarian operations, ensuring that the voices and needs of affected populations are at the heart of our response. While maintaining consistent and effective AAP practices in multi-agency settings can be challenging, it’s far from impossible. By developing unified strategies, establishing clear communication channels, harmonizing feedback mechanisms, and fostering a culture of collaboration, we can significantly enhance our accountability efforts and better serve those in need.

"At Life Pieces To Masterpieces, we have always believed that it is not about us giving power to our boys and young men, but, rather, we believe that they have the innate creative ability to transform their lives and to enact positive change in their communities and their world." Continuing our recognition of Leaders of the Future, The Community Foundation is highlighting the work and mission of peacemakers who are working to empower children, youth and adults to build stronger, safer communities. We asked Life Pieces To Masterpieces to share how they are empowering young men through mentorship and creativity. https://ow.ly/8yHF50SoKxP

To all the incredible parents, grandparents, and coaches out there – this one’s for you. It nights like tonight that reminds me the sacrifices we all make and I think you deserve a shout out. You’re the ones teaching kids more than just the game – you’re showing them commitment, resilience, and the value of showing up for others. To every one of you braving the cold, the rain, and your packed schedules to keep these clubs and teams thriving: you’re building something bigger than sport. You’re building communities, futures, and values that will last a lifetime. Take a bow.

Over the past week and a half, returning to Memphis gave me the opportunity to rest, spend quality time with my family, and reflect deeply. This time, I experienced my community differently. I listened intently to leaders discussing pressing issues: the future of Memphis' youth, the workforce, the education system, the city's economic challenges, and the ongoing need to address crime. What I heard from the community was a call for accountability—an insistence that those in positions of authority rise to meet their responsibilities. Yet, I also saw leaders grappling with the immense challenge of balancing this demand while navigating the entrenched obstacles of an “urban paradigm.” What is an “urban paradigm”? Economically speaking, it is the lived reality of communities of color—communities that have borne the weight of racial oppression and generational trauma—now navigating the pressures of modern-day systemic inequities. Despite the best intentions of many leaders who genuinely want to uplift Memphis, fear often paralyzes them. Speaking out against policies and legislation that clearly infringe upon the equal rights of Black and Brown communities can mean risking their livelihoods, their careers, and their ability to provide for their families. Imagine having to make that choice. Standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel as a third grader, gazing at the wax figure of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I remember wondering what he must have been thinking in his final moments. How could he endure such hardship—segregation, lynchings, and domestic terrorism—yet remain steadfast in his calling to serve God and empower his community? His courage as a warrior for justice and faith still reverberates today. As we approach 2025, many of us will face decisions that will define the future. Systems are shifting. To Tennessee businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government entities: if we are truly the Volunteer State, let us embody those values. Let us lead with integrity, build with transparency, engage with purpose, act with equity, and recognize that we are more powerful together than we are apart. This is not to diminish the incredible work already happening across our state. Tennessee is home to phenomenal leaders making meaningful strides. But I humbly call on those in power to lead with humility. Extend olive branches over division. Prioritize opportunity over self-interest. Let’s collectively work toward a Tennessee workforce—and a future—that includes all of us. Together, we can build a greater Tennessee. Let’s honor that legacy and responsibility! And FYI...Memphis is a Gem 💎 and the communities, Tennessee's backbone!

This week #StrongCities will be sharing highlights from our #USMayoralRetreat in #Pittsburgh 🇺🇸. Mayors, officials and civil society organisations from almost 20 #US cities engaged on how cities can Put Communities First: Mayoral & City Leadership Against Hate, Extremism & Polarisation. Co-hosted by the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and with the Carnegie Mellon University - Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, the Eradicate Hate Global Summit, the National League of Cities and the Muhammad Ali Center, the #USRetreat provided a timely platform for city leaders & stakeholders to exchange concrete approaches & innovations for maintaining social cohesion amid rising hate. ◾ We heard from #Pittsburgh stakeholders who contributed to the 2018 Tree of Life response, including officials from #CityHall who underscored the importance of “listening to each other, learning from each other” and “fostering confidence to bring people together”. ◾ We also heard from the Eradicate Hate Global Summit, the LIGHT Education Initiative, the JCC Pittsburgh and the #TreeOfLifeInc on how crucial it was for then Mayor William Peduto and others to “show up & be there for communities” and in so doing “redefined and transformed the moment” from one of “victim of hate to resilience”. ◾ We learned how Pittsburgh’s private sector, including UPMC, The Andy Warhol Museum and the public-private sector Allegheny Conference on Community Development, continues to provide support and create spaces for Pittsburgh residents and communities to have difficult conversations. ◾ The city’s sports teams – Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers etc – shared how they helped #Pittsburgh return to normality under a banner of “Stronger Than Hate” & how the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation continues to invest in the city’s youth, wellness, community and education. Day 1 also officially launched Strong Cities’ new #NorthAmericaRegionalHub, which will work with cities of all sizes and contexts across #Canada 🇨🇦 and the United States 🇺🇸 to catalyse city-led prevention in response to today’s heightened threat environment. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4csC6Fr. Stay tuned this week for more highlights from our #USMayoralRetreat in #Pittsburgh and the launch of the North America Regional Hub! #StrongerTogether #StrongerThanHate