Steps You Can Take

It’s not lost on me that I’m writing this after attending the MLK Legacy Awards on Sunday night—a celebration of community and a reminder that what unites us is far greater than what divides us. That message feels especially important now, as our region navigates the ongoing immigration enforcement action and the tension created by visiting outside activists. Dr. King once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience, but in moments of conflict.” This is one of those moments.
 
My encouragement to you is threefold.
 
First, focus on what we can control: caring for one another, supporting our teams, and extending compassion at home and at work. Leadership always starts small—between two people—and every single one of us can choose to show up for the person beside us.
 
Second, and just as important: continue doing business with our small businesses. I’m talking with owners who are experiencing very real interruptions right now—people who care deeply for their employees and their families, and are uncertain about how to move forward. Your patronage matters. Every purchase, every visit, every contract helps stabilize the very businesses that give our communities their identity and vitality.
 
Finally, join us on Thursday at noon for a webinar on Employer Rights and Responsibilities, providing practical, actionable guidance.
 
In times of conflict, community becomes our strength. And supporting small businesses is one of the most tangible ways we can stand together.
 
See you in the trenches,
B

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