Catching Up With CAT: Summits, Expos, and Events…oh my

Hello CAT family. Zorbari here with this week’s catching up with CAT.

It’s been a full and inspiring week—and it really began last weekend, when I had the honor of joining River City Outdoors, a Thrive Outside St. Louis organization, at the Gateway Outdoor Expo + Summit. I was invited to speak at the summit about Empowering diverse voices in outdoor leadership roles and then staffed a booth at Outdoor Expo, and what an incredible event it was. I made so many meaningful connections and even had the pleasure of getting to know and be inspired by Eddy Harris, author of Mississippi Solo and other powerful works. Sharing what CAT does with this community felt so aligned, so in-network, and so right.

Back in Chicago, the week continued with thoughtful conversations with long-time CAT supporters, with more of those on the horizon as we wrap up the year and plan for what’s ahead. We also held a board meeting this week as we continue building and strengthening CAT from within. I was grateful for the opportunity to share our work again at the Stride for Peace Gun Violence Expo, alongside our staff. Being in community with leaders, advocates, companies, youth committed to creating a safer Chicago in their own way was truly energizing. I was also great seeing both familiar faces and new one at this event.

I also was able to squeeze in a Chicago African Americans In Philanthropy(CAAIP) meeting, the final one of the year, which centered on healing for leaders. It was refreshing and grounding, offering a moment with likeminded folks to pause, breathe, and take in the bigger picture when so many parts of this work are constantly in motion.

As I close out the week, I find myself feeling deeply reflective and profoundly thankful for the CAT team, for everyone in my network, for the people of Chicago, and for all those across the country who continue forward and together. It takes a much bigger community than we often realize to make everything happen, and every single day continues to be a learning experience for me.