The Redefining Hope Edition

Dear all,

What a difference two weeks has made. Everything seems a wee bit lighter and, dare I say, filled with hope and optimism.

We have a historic new candidate, Kamala Harris. A Black and Indian woman running at the top of the Democratic ticket and generating unprecedented enthusiasm and excitement. We are also watching the most environmentally-conscious Olympic Games ever, and bearing witness to magnificent wins by U.S. women athletes and teams in gymnastics, rugby, swimming, diving, fencing, and biking.

If that wasn’t enough, 16 prisoners held by Vladimir Putin’s Russia were just released, including WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and Radio Free Europe editor Alsu Kurmasheva.

All in all, it’s a good day and it's looking like a brighter tomorrow. Wishing you all a joyful and restorative weekend ahead.

As always,

Susan

ON OUR MINDS

Brought to you this week by Houston-based Account Director, Nicole Loher , who is looking forward to finishing writing her second book from her parents farm this weekend.

Coconut Brat

She’s broken fundraising records , prompted volunteering at historic levels, has?moved the youth voter base, flipped the script on modern masculinity , and even crashed Zoom (twice )—all within a week. With now less than 100 days to go, Vice President Kamala Harris has reinvigorated the Democratic party.?Across?multiple polls , Harris is nearly neck-and-neck with her opponent, and is already favorably?ahead of where former Democratic nominee, President. Joe Biden, stacked against Republican nominee, Donald Trump. If we’re operating on memes or cultural commentary , it’s safe to say Harris has restored a sense of unity for the Democratic party, and come November 5, hopefully our country’s future.

Gold & Glory

Kicking off last week, the Olympic?Games has already proven to be one like no other, with many firsts. It's?the first “gender-equal ” Games; McPhersonclient, Nike, collaborated with the Olympic Refugee Foundation providing uniforms for the Refugee Olympic Team for the first time. There was also avow from the Organizing Committee that 2024 will be the greenest Games in Olympic history. While there are growing concerns about the sustainability of the Games, for now, the cross-cultural interest of sport offers a moment of connection and hope for athletes and spectators alike.

World Ablaze

Speaking of green, the Earth’s record hot streak dialed up last week, with four of the seven days being the hottest days humans have ever measured. These peaking records do not happen in isolation, and it bears repeating that warming is a consequence of the increase in greenhouse gases. Playing a small role in mitigating those gases, London launched its Ultra Low Emission Zone in 2019, which is similar to New York’s recently revoked?Congestion Pricing Plan . London, however, has just published the first round of data from the Zone. The results correlated to cleaner air in all of London and significantly lower concentrations of particulate matter and nitrogen oxide. Hopefully New York Governor Kathy Hochul read that news.

ON OUR RADAR

Go:

• Looking to beat the heat in NYC? Venture to one of these eight Black-owned businesses for cool drinks, sweet treats and rich culture.?
• I’ll be heading to New York this month and seeing Suffs , the Broadway musical capturing the American women's suffrage movement, is on the top of my list of things to do.

Listen:

• While controversial, nuclear energy is considered a low-carbon fuel and a reliable source of energy for decades to come because it doesn't release greenhouse gasses. This company with a radial idea is working to bring it back.
• A landmark disability law passed in 1990 now applies to life online. Marketplace Tech explains how the Department of Justice is updating the rules to make digital access accessible for all.

Read:

• Project 2025, a sprawling 900-plus page manifesto that seeks to create a blueprint for the next Trump presidency, is dare I say it: dense? Democracy Forward published a snapshot of the text for those of us who care, but may not have the time to read it all.
• Feel like we’re all learning about major events through increasingly bizarre digital formats? You’re not alone. Journalist Taylor Lorenz breaks down the rapidly changing breaking news landscape.
• Ready to learn how to use your voice? Look no further than McPherson-friendly Hitha Palepu’s ?book, “We’re Speaking ,” which draws from Kamala Harris'?remarkable ascent to presumptive Democratic nominee for the U.S. presidency.

Cheer:

• Barbie has had quite the year, and only continues to get more inclusive as Mattel unveiled its first Blind Barbie in partnership with The American Foundation for the Blind.?
• The release of The U.S. Mint’s Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coins also marks the historic appointment of Director Ventris Gibson—the first Black American and woman to serve as the Director of the U.S. Mint. The proceeds from these coins will support both the Freedom Center and the Harriet Tubman Home.

Subscribe:

• ICYMI: GreenBiz Group, the media and events company focused on accelerating a just transition to a clean economy, has been renamed Trellis . Be sure to subscribe to their new newsletter .??
• The Horizons Project is building relationships and connections between the social justice, peacebuilding, and democracy communities in the United States.
• Bonus: I just launched my own newsletter to chronicle what it’s like to be a published poet with one of the big five publishing houses in the U.S.

Apply:

• Melinda French Gates’?Pivotal Ventures is hiring a Program Strategy Manager, Centering Women and Girls of Color .?
• The Accelerator for GBV Prevention—the nonprofit collectively advocating to mobilize more and better resources for prevention of gender-based violence—is seeking a remote Chief Advocacy Officer .
• The original creator of online environment, social, governance (ESG) and Climate education programs for board directors and senior business professionals, Competent Boards, is now accepting applications for the Climate & Nature and Sustainability & ESG ?designation and certifications.
• And if you’ve ever wanted to work for McPherson, now’s your chance. We’re hiring an account coordinator .

Are you interested in learning more about McPherson Strategies and the services we offer? Social impact strategy, communications, partnership development, content development and more. Get in touch .