A Virtual Community of Love

By Patrick Bohn, August 29, 2020

‘Leading with Love’ community event attended by Ithaca College community members.

Dr. Luvelle Brown, Ithaca City School District Superintendent and Ithaca College Board of Trustees member, spoke at the 4th annual event.

The fourth annual “Leading with Love” community event, held on August 27, was moved online this year due to the coronavirus. But the digital nature of the gathering didn’t stop local leaders from sharing heartfelt messages of how they want to lead their communities from a place of genuine compassion.

Speakers at the event were: Ithaca City School District Superintendent and Ithaca College Board of Trustees member Dr. Luvelle Brown, Rabbi Suzanne Brody of Temple Beth-El, Cornell University Muslim Chaplain Yasin Ahmed, Reverend David Kaden of the First Congregational Church of Ithaca and Reverend Nathaniel Wright, Calvary Baptist Church. Among the attendees was Wendy Kobler, Ithaca College’s vice president for philanthropy and engagement.

“I know we can’t be anti-racist if we we’re not going to be loving. And we can’t be loving if we’re not going to be anti-racist.”

Dr. Luvelle Brown

Brown spoke about how, in the midst of these challenging times, a conversation with his father reminded him of what still needed to be done.

“I said, ‘Daddy, I’m tired. Work is hard. Things are happening in this country and in this world that are bringing me down. I don’t know what to do daddy,’” recalled Brown. “He said to me, ‘Boy, now ain’t the time to be tired. Now is not the time for us to be tired, but love more, and lean into this approach to love.’”

Brown went on to discuss the importance of anti-racism at the community level, and the importance love plays in that.

“Anti-racism requires a commitment to being self-reflective, being self-aware, and a constant self-criticism of your actions or inactions. I, we, are in a community that is going to strive to be anti-racist. I can feel it. We must do it. Our young people need us to be,” he said. “I know we can’t be anti-racist if we we’re not going to be loving. And we can’t be loving if we’re not going to be anti-racist.”

The event was held in cooperation with Cornell University’s Office of Community Relations.