As many of us in the nonprofit world strive to navigate ongoing shifts in our socio-political landscape and their ripple effects on the most marginalized communities we serve, it’s crucial to draw on the wisdom and insights of our community elders. Our elders have been effectively managing change for decades. When I thought about who I was inspired by, I thought of Annie Laurie Armstrong. Although we only met recently, she stood out to me as a woman rooted in equity and justice. She is Communities Rise’s evaluation consultant and has worked with us for years to improve our services by collecting impact data and insights from community members. I wanted to learn more about the stories that shaped Annie Laurie into who she is today. I approached her for an interview, and she graciously agreed.
We started by exploring the foundations of her understanding of social justice. What I learned was that much of who she is and how she approaches effecting change is rooted in her connection to and with family. For Annie Laurie, family is vast. Beyond borders and blood, she has a long history of defining it across generations, race, and place. Growing up in a family with ties to extended tribal kin and Quaker roots, she knows well the profound power of the love of community. She grew up with social justice elders and that exposure has helped to develop her worldview. The beautiful culmination of those experiences have led to Annie Laurie developing a big heart and skilled strategic analysis for healing our wounds through the bridges that connect us.
Annie Laurie has lived experience in the New York public housing system and has traveled the world as a youth, moving through places as different as alike as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Thailand. These sometimes contrasting worlds helped to develop a commitment to community. These early experiences played a crucial role in feeding her passion for service. She applies her expanded understanding of various cultures and her broad worldview to how she demonstrates inclusivity and kindness in her work today. Her work as a medic and entertainer in Vietnam deepened her understanding of activism’s complexities, showing her that it can be both challenging and rewarding, depending on a nation’s willingness to understand the impact of devastating events on its citizens.
She later worked with the Department of Youth Services and Head Start, carrying a key lesson she shared with me. “Even anger and frustrations show us that we are still in the game. There is a reason our systems failed us and it can move us to action.”
She continued her service by becoming a foster parent, opening her home to 16 children, 12 of whom remain connected to her, even though all were temporary placements while their caregivers were incarcerated. She recalls that the main thing she wanted for the children she shared her home with was to find a passion that inspired them. One example is a young man she fostered who found a lost child at Bumbershoot and was so impacted by that experience that he is now a successful avalanche rescuer working in the Alps.
“We may not always see the change, but in this instance, his whole life changed because someone took the time to encourage him to find something he loved to do,” Annie Laurie pointed out. “If you don’t have activism. People can’t get the support they need.”
She has also continued to support other families seeking stability and safety, drawing inspiration from their resilience and sacrifices. “They may have every reason to give up, but they don’t and instead look to one another and their culture for strength,” she noted.
When I asked her about the most effective strategies she’s used to promote social justice she shared that she’s spent 10 years working on an initiative to address houselessness among families. She explained that, initially, provider systems did not collaborate. Their efforts were disconnected and only focused on one household member so she focused her work on improving cross-system and whole household storytelling, underscoring the need for a holistic approach that inspires empathy and connection.
Annie feels that this work has changed how people, funders, and providers collaborate and design systems that value and use community feedback. When examining some of the practices central to her approach, she emphasizes that collaboration is fundamental, especially now, when resources are in short supply and need to be strategically integrated. She also deeply values the community’s contributions. Annie Laurie prioritizes ensuring that interview participants are rewarded for their time. She pointed out that when people feel their feedback is appreciated and their contributions are honored, this creates a healthy feedback loop for organizations to build on. This recognition can motivate activism.
Annie Laurie’s world reflects her belief that frontline workers and volunteers possess critical knowledge about the future direction of organizations. She recognizes that effective accountability systems can be complex because collaboration requires effort and people must be willing to compromise. To foster successful partnerships, we must rely on qualities such as empathy, trust, shared decision-making, and balanced power.
Annie Laurie reflects that shifting our definition of power is a crucial first step to creating meaningful change. When welcoming newcomers into activism, she emphasizes fostering a spirit of inclusivity and openness. She believes that genuine effort is far more valuable than just talking about change.
“Understanding your personal limits is key to avoiding burnout because enthusiasm can sometimes lead to feelings of betrayal or exhaustion if you’re spread too thin,” she said. “It’s also very important to be mindful and transparent about your motives. Continually assessing where you can make the biggest difference and where you might need more learning helps everyone stay humble, effective, and motivated. Self-reflection and honest self-assessment are critical to thinking about where you’re willing to compromise, when to celebrate achievements, and how to inspire others around you.”
She pointed out that for social justice efforts to genuinely amplify all voices, strategic investments in childcare, translation and interpretation services, and accessible technology are essential. Her strategies are grounded in a strong belief that inclusive approaches are achievable for everyone.
She views her work and life as deeply intertwined with no strict separation. She believes that young people can assume leadership roles and drive social change. Valuing inter-generational learning, she favors closer connections among individuals and has noticed that community isolation, such as meeting virtually, can weaken trust. She relies on openness to enhance awareness of different ways of being and promotes continuous growth through new ideas. Her background in disaster preparedness, particularly concerning homelessness, highlights that those most affected are often low-income and incarcerated individuals. Building relationships in these contexts fosters empathy and awareness. These experiences are among her most meaningful works, supporting people, especially distressed children, by offering practical help during chaotic times and nurturing compassion and understanding of the effects of practices and policies on the lives of individuals most impacted.
–Shalom Cook, Co-Executive Director, Capacity Building