Digital Byte 16: How To Lead In Times Of Tragedy
July 14th, 2022
TW: Mass Shooting
I begin this week’s newsletter with a heavy heart. When I moved abroad, I knew that there would be things I missed out on: family events, friends getting engaged, college graduations, or holidays like the 4th of July. But I never could have imagined that I would wake up on a holiday to find that, Highland Park, was the location of the most recent mass shooting. It was to The streets were lined with people I grew up with. With the families of my best friends. I can’t stop thinking about how these victims weren’t surrounded by random strangers but their loved ones, their parents, children, sisters, and brothers. I went to sleep late that night with little information and the knowledge that I would wake up to more heartbreak–and a full day of work ahead.
After horrific events like the one that took place on July 4th, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless. It’s a confusing time, trying to grieve and make sense of something that is beyond comprehension. And perhaps the most tragic part of all, is that we aren’t afforded the time to mourn because tomorrow there will be another. As of the moment I write this, there have been 337 mass shootings in the U.S. this year - in 186 days.
This year, my team has faced what feels like nonstop tragedy. Some members of our team have been directly affected by the war in Ukraine, and all the struggles that come with experiencing terror through your family members. As a leader, it has been difficult for me to even write this email, let alone lead a team through tragedy. I knew that if I was mentally exhausted, the rest of my team would be too.
The only advice I can give to others in my position is to ask for help. Don’t be afraid to. Responding to tragedy is paramount to making change. As the owner of a company, I have the platform to help raise awareness of GoFundMe’s, to share where my team and others can create the most impact and help make the most change, and to encourage others to keep speaking out about gun reform in the United States– the first thing I did when I woke up the next day was email my team, update them, make sure they knew that I was grieving but still available, and incite them to action, to help make a change. If my company can stand up and speak out, I hope that other companies and others will feel inspired to continue to fight for change too.
Beyond asking for the support and help of my team to get through a troubling week, I am asking you, to get involved through the links below.
How you can help those affected by the Highland Park shooting
This document is a central source of information including where to donate to victims, blood drive information, free physical therapy for those injured in the aftermath, mental health resources, and more. Please share far and wide.
Please consider donating to the family of Nicolas Toledo. I grew up with his granddaughter and the money will go towards the funeral and memorial expenses.
Please consider donating to the Joyce and Kolpack family. Three family members who were shot are undergoing various life-saving surgeries which will have a major financial impact on this family.
Please consider donating to support Aiden McCarthy, a little boy who lost both his parents in the shooting.
The Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund is the education, research, and litigation arm of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country. Learn about their many initiatives and about how to donate here.
March For Our Lives was created by survivors who are dedicated to lobbying our government for gun control laws. Learn about their work and how to donate here.
If you feel you need extra help:
It is normal to feel a range of emotions while coping with the aftermath of gun violence on this level. These resources will make the grieving process a little less overwhelming.
Your Weekly Inspiration
In such horrific times, it is important to note the good. The first-line responders like the police, doctors, nurses, surgeons, and more who helped save countless lives. The civilians who risked their own lives save others. The people who have been donating and supporting far and wide.
Another good... one week later, a rainbow appeared directly above the shooting. What an incredible sign reminding us that there is ALWAYS good to be found.
