By Dan Kildee
Every now and then, we meet a book, an idea, or a conversation that stops us in our tracks, something that challenges how we see the world and invites us to do better, be better. For our team, john a. powell’s “Belonging Without Othering” was exactly that.
of Greater Flint
At its core, powell’s message is simple but transformative: True belonging cannot exist if we are still othering – still defining some people as “in” and others as “out.” This idea struck a chord, especially here in Flint and Genesee County, a place of resilience, grit, and heart, and one that has seen its share of division, disinvestment, and pain. Our challenges are real, but so is the possibility of something better, something we can only create when we do it together, with intention and unity.
We are at a crossroads. We can continue down the road of fear, scarcity, and separation – the “us vs. them” mentality that says we only succeed if others don’t. Or we can choose a different path rooted in kindness, care, and courage. One where we return to being good neighbors, not just to those who look or think like us, but to everyone. Our shared future depends on this choice.
Belonging starts small. It’s a wave to a stranger, a conversation across a difference, a willingness to see the humanity in someone we may not understand. It’s choosing to invest in care over harm, divesting from systems, language, and practices that exclude or marginalize, and instead creating space for everyone to thrive. It’s recognizing that every individual brings value and that no one should have to earn the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
Fear is a powerful force. It tells us to hunker down, to protect what’s ours, to question who deserves to be included. But progress doesn’t live in fear. Joy doesn’t grow in division. If we want a community where every person – every child, every elder, every newcomer – feels safe, seen, and valued, we must build it intentionally. We must move from breaking to bridging. And that means doing the work, even when uncomfortable, to understand and uplift one another.
Let’s remind ourselves that kindness is not a weakness. That compassion is not a compromise. Doing the right thing, even when it’s hard, is what leadership demands. Let’s create joy by doing kind acts – not because they are performative, but because they are powerful. Let us lead with love, with listening, and with an unwavering commitment to a Flint & Genesee where everyone belongs – and where everyone can thrive.
It won’t happen overnight. But every time we choose connection over division, every time we make room at the table, every time we say, “You matter,” we get a little closer. Let’s keep going. Together.
Dan Kildee is president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.