Because of the work that I’m trying to do right now in social justice, it’s really opened up the supporters out there. People we would normally not talk to, we found a common ground, a common fight. Some people are just coming into the fight, but this has been a fight for my entire lifetime.

The community that is already in the fight, we’ve been able to check in with each other: “How are you doing?” We’ve been able to tag team: “Hey, I need a break, I’m exhausted. Somebody else pick up the fight.” To give us that longevity. We’ve been able to exchange expertise. Where I don’t have all the knowledge and all the skills, someone else might have something. Or I might have what they need.

My spiritual health has been the anchor that has kept me going.

Making sure I’m praying and reading my word. Giving myself permission to have time where there’s nothing happening. I’m just getting to space where there’s other self-care that I’ve been able to start doing. I’ve gone to the ocean a couple of times!

What we should bring with us beyond the pandemic

Be an active listener. There’s this one meme where an individual is dealing with depression. They’re under a blanket and people kept asking them: “Are you okay? What can I do? What can I do?” And the person was like, “nothing, nothing, nothing.” And then finally, another person just came and sat under the blanket with him. Just to be in their presence and sit with him. Sometimes you just need someone to sit there with you.