Never Lose Hope

I wrote a message to my team this morning, and I thought it prudent to share it with my LinkedIn family. I pray these words illuminate a path to peace. We have work to do!

Last night brought mixed results. We fought hard, showed up, and won essential elections but took losses that cut deep. This morning, we're waking up to a reality we all hoped would be different. Donald Trump is now president-elect. I know that's a heavy weight for many of us, and it's okay to feel it.

In this moment, I'm reminded of the words of Congressman Lewis, words that resonate deeply today:

"Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each of us in every generation must do our part."

We are here because we believe in that lifetime commitment. We know that real change, the kind that transforms lives, isn't confined to the limits of a single election. It takes resilience, courage, and a deep, steady belief in our work. The elections we won last night prove what's possible when we come together, and they give us a foundation to build on.

So, let's take this time to process, acknowledge the frustration, and regroup. Rest and find what peace you can in this moment. Then, we will pick up, recalibrate, and continue forward. We all have to learn from last night's lessons, and I am committed to doing whatever it takes to prevent us from experiencing it again. We can lead in crafting a bold vision for education responsive to urban, suburban, and rural voters. To do this, we must listen, think, and act. Nationwide, voters sent us a message. Our job is to respond to it!

Today is for reflection and refueling. Tomorrow, we recommit to the mission, carrying Congressman Lewis' words as our guide. We do this work not because it's easy but because it matters and because we are needed.

In peace and progress,

Robert T. Stephens