My sons were one and three. Here's what came next and how you can help.

As a leader this year, you’ve navigated change. Have you ever stopped to think about how or what it took?

In early August, Leverette Weekes produced the 7th World Conference on Remedies to Racial and Ethnic Economic Inequality on behalf of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. The following week, we brought that same energy and execution to the third annual Momentum Summit on Martha’s Vineyard. These back-to-back events were powerful reminders of what strategic event production is really about: bringing the right people together, creating

When Leverette Weekes built the Momentum Summit in honor of our co-founder, Wenda Weekes Moore, we designed it with a simple idea in mind: gather Minnesota's thought leaders on Martha's Vineyard during Black Philanthropy Month, one of the most important gathering points of the year for Black thought leadership, attracting entrepreneurs, executives, philanthropy, and funders.

The federal holiday Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing news of freedom to the last enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy. Today, communities celebrate with festivals, traditional foods, and support for Black-owned businesses. They also reflect on a broader truth: throughout American history, control over who can read, learn, and tell their story is often reflected in who holds power. Among Momentum Summit 202

What will they say about you when you aren’t in the room? Better yet, what will they say about you fifty years from now?

When was the last time your leadership felt like a choice rather than a reflex? Are you ruling by legacy, or are you actually relevant to the room you’re standing in today?

Leaders and organizations are navigating new challenges, including evolving laws and shifting public opinion. At Leverette Weekes, we discuss how brands respond to these changes and drive social impact, such as elevating local issues to national awareness. This month, we are sharing a communication strategy that stood out during the ICE surge in Minneapolis this winter. McKnight Foundation, based in Minnesota, went all in on its mission well before Minneapolis was in the head

We're nearing the end of the first quarter. How are you keeping up? Leadership requires constant decision-making, emotional awareness, and the ability to hold complexity.

The response to our Black History Month card was a reminder that visibility with integrity is possible when you’re clear about your values.

A strategic communications plan is essential during ongoing crises. Brand responses offer important public relations lessons. Amid the recent influx of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota, our local leaders are leveraging crisis communication tactics to share critical updates, including school district and small business closures.

This year has flown by and I am grateful for every minute of it. As my team and I reflect on the past 12 months, we have a lot to celebrate. I continue to be energized by the time I spend serving on the nonprofit boards of organizations I care about.

Giving back is my way of giving thanks. I serve on the boards of several organizations I believe in, and honor people—through events like the Momentum Summit—who do extraordinary work.

My parents, Wenda Weekes and Cornell Leverette Moore, initially founded Leverette Weekes in the 1970s to address the lack of hiring opportunities for Black lawyers. Later, they created new pathways and opportunities in real estate.

I’m particularly proud of my team of contractors now – the ones I speak to every day and the specialists who jump in and out of projects as needed. When you hit on a great dynamic like this, retention is the name of the game. Here’s how I maintain great professional relationships that lead to long-term partnerships:

Early August was hectic. I traveled to Martha’s Vineyard for the second annual Momentum Summit, bringing together leaders from the social justice, Black philanthropy and education spaces to connect and collaborate on issues facing the community. This event, which I created with Dr. Tashion Macon, is a labor of love—emphasis on both labor and love!

When it’s hot outside, temperatures inside can spike, as well. This month, I’m thinking about conflict at work, because summertime’s easy-going reputation can be deceptive. Yes it’s typically vacation season, a time filled with more kicking back and enjoying cold ones at the barbecue.

Emotions in the workplace can be a difficult challenge to navigate. That’s why I’m grateful that last week was Juneteenth, the day we collectively remember, honor, and celebrate the emancipation of enslaved people in this country.

At Leverette Weekes, we know that diversity builds strong teams, and we are passionate about inclusion. When my parents started this company in the ‘70s, it was because they realized that people were being left out of economic opportunities. That costs all of us. It costs us opportunities for internally vetted ideas, new perspectives, and to mitigate risks.

Happy belated Easter, Passover, and Ramadan to all who celebrated. May we all feel renewed and have our spirits refreshed!