What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?

We’ve been working on our publication and platform for almost a decade because we deeply believe that the world will be a far more empathetic and collaborative place if we all had the ability to know each other’s stories. The past decade has brought unimaginable challenges along the way, but we persevere because we believe this is mission worth never giving up on. We often are inspired by the folks we’ve featured and their commitment to their respective missions and so we asked some of them to talk to us about this very topic and have share some responses below.

Mphatso Khuzwayo

I’m deeply committed to advocating for Black patients in the hospital—no matter how long it takes and no matter how many systems I have to push against. As a nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how bias, miscommunication, and lack of advocacy can affect the quality of care Black people receive. It’s something that has shaped me both personally and professionally. Read more>>

ChylMusic

I’m committed to protecting the soul in music. We live in a world that keeps trying to replace real feelings with convenience. Fast creation, fast fame, fast connection — all of it comes with a cost. I want to make sure the human voice never becomes optional. Read more>>

Evan Samson

I’m committed to telling stories that uplift culture, community, and representation, no matter how long it takes. Whether it is through content, events, or creative projects, I want to build platforms that help people feel seen, connected, and inspired. Read more>>

Gayle Lewis

Creating opportunities in standup comedy for performers who may not feel comfortable going to most mainstream (i.e. male-dominated) open mics. When I first started hitting mics in Atlanta, one of my favorite local comics, Cori Isla, was running the now-defunct Lavender Laughs (a mic which prioritized queer and femme comics) at Dynamic El Dorado. Read more>>

Socorro Kenoly

My belief in my cabaret. It’s never going away. My belief in my sex education platform. It’s just natural. It’s naturally what I have to say and what I want to give to the world. It may take time. But it’s about the journey right? We did some great things this year! Read more>>

Brandon Andersen

I am committed to building Signature Series into a platform that documents and honors rollerblading at the highest level. It taught me discipline, community, and how to see the world through a lens. I want to create a catalog of films that future generations can look back on and truly understand the culture, the people, and the history of rollerblading. Read more>>

Todd Mack

My life is guided by five simple but powerful words: music can change the world. This is the foundation of everything I do professionally as an artist and as the director of Music in Common. Read more>>