One Student

The movement to remove or ban books is a red herring. Nearly every book, periodical, newspaper etc…are available in a digital format. And the schools (thank you) have made sure EVERY child has critical learning tools such as a laptop with access to the internet. And yet, I have never heard these groups demand restrictions on what web sites their children can access. Or ask that cell phone access be limited. No demands that digital safety, security or consent be taught. I often limit my kids exposure to screens but I don’t have to wrangle books out of their hands.

These groups actions impose such a high tax on schools (all of whom have comprehensive parental opt out measures, screening processes by media specialists and curriculum review committees) is a detriment to all children and the system committed to educating them. And the real kicker, they are often making these demands on schools and systems where they have no children, grandchildren etc.

It’s almost as if it’s not about the books or the kids. But more about a lack of understanding of history and the importance of literature. And spoiler alert these bans never hold up in the court of law or public opinion. They are an old tactic used to make people afraid, be divisive and divert attention and resources away from the sole purpose of the schools. Education.

The silver lining is their performative actions and taxation on the schools have made books far more readily available thanks to educational systems, libraries and humans all over the world concerned about a society where critical thinking skills are required. Except in places like China where they actively censor what their citizens can learn and consider. America is imperfect but for such a young nation we have a tremendous history of being right on this issue. A society that cannot think for themselves is doomed to fail.

Gradebook | Should Florida schools ban literature because of s*x? There's been plenty of time and energy expended over the past few months on debates over whether certain books belong in Florida schools. Most of the objections have come from the political right, heavily targeting books with content about s*x and gender. School board lawyers across the state have s...

In 2003 my life changed in many ways. I got engaged and then married my longtime boyfriend, I left my role as a regional marketing director in corporate America to work for Big Brothers Big Sisters in fund development and I received an email (via Julie Cretin from Alpha Gam HQ) from Tracy Maxwell inquiring if Kelly and I were still speaking (we weren’t) and would we be interested in applying for representation from CAMPUSPEAK (we were). This email was the first of the aforementioned milestones and it changed our lives forever. I know we had big dreams when we first began our work in 1999-2000. We stumbled and had a few false starts. But the steps we took in 2000-2003 created a skill set that supported our dream.

In the fall of 2003, at a small school in upstate New York we gave our first program with Campuspeak. It was one for the record books and I am sure we will write more about it in the weeks and months to come. That program began a journey that created lifelong friendships, enabled us to fulfill our dream of working with students, educators, allies and administrators to dismantle r**e culture and remove the shame and stigma surrounding s*x.

The world was different but our beliefs and ethos were not. This was before marriage equality was the law of the land. Before we created SEXVERSATIONS, adopted the No Woman Left Behind Campaign, wrote curriculum for international organizations, the military and the state of Ohio, before we advised The White House on transformational policies that would hold space for survivors, before we founded One Student, before there was a documentary about our work, before we won fancy awards, before Kelly thanked Lance Bass for being our opening act at NACA, before we grew our company exponentially adding thought leaders who inspire us and took our company to places we had only visited in our dreams. Before we travelled to over 500 campuses, visited countless communities and military bases lecturing before more than 2,000,000 people. Before our memory banks were filled with awe and wonder at the immense good in the world and our continued belief that we can all change the world. Before we were humbled to meet survivors who shared with us their stories. Those moments we will hold onto forever. With the honor and respect they deserve. As there is nothing we hold more sacred.

But as much as things have changed, grown and evolved. So much is still the same. Our belief in empowering students to create seismic culture shifts remains unchanged. Cashing in on social capital for good. I do not believe we imagined ourselves still touring 18 years later. I find it circular and beautiful that the children born in 2003 will be some of our last audiences as we end our chapter as represented artists. We are so thankful to our first agency for five incredible years and to The College Agency for the remaining 13. On November 30th we will give our last program ironically in upstate New York.

Our lives have taken many twists and turns. But in the beginning and today we were two best friends who believed that we could make a difference, we believed in the potential and promise of others and that together we could make the world a better place. And in my heart I believe we have. Many of you are part of our story. All of you who welcomed us into your communities, your hearts and challenged us to do more are so deeply imprinted on our souls-that we will never find the words of gratitude that express the depth of our appreciation.

In the coming months, we will write more about some of the people and places, experiences and adventures that shaped us and kept us committed to the work. But on the eve before November I cannot help but be filled with gratitude. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

And most of all, thank you to Kelly. Who has bravely stood before millions and shared her truth. Time still stops for me when she speaks. Giving of herself for others. Without her courage (especially when it was hard and when we wanted to quit) none of this would have ever been actualized.

So, the dream you hold in your heart…ignore the haters. Because your promise and potential will fuel your purpose.

And again from my heart to yours, thank you.

PS you ain’t see nothing yet ❤️

As we prepare to close out another (s*xual assault awareness month), I can’t help but to be shook by the remarkable amount of r**e, death threats and hate speech female identified elected officials/ public servants receive. Women in the public eye receive the most horrific threats nearly everyday.

Our work is so far from over.