When the Message Arrives Before You Do in Suffolk, VA

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I am very vocal about the Acorn Movement.

Because I believe every child deserves a Top-Notch Village™ that will help them grow into the mighty, mighty oak tree they are destined to become.

I travel from city to city and state to state carrying this message of collectivism, shared responsibility, and generational impact.

But today, the message met me at the door.

Last December, I had the opportunity to share my From Acorn to Mighty, Mighty Oak Tree™ keynote and an accompanying workshop with the good people of The Children's Center in Franklin, Virginia.

When I returned to work with them today, I was completely blown away.

One of their Head Start teams l created shirts inspired by the Acorn message!

“Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.”

“Hello, we are the dream team they told you about.”

They did not simply remember the message.

They embraced it, carried it forward, and made it their own. BOOM!!!!

They share their stories with me of why the message spoke to them.

Some remembered being little acorns who were surrounded by strong villages.

Others knew what it meant to grow without the village they needed.

All were united in their commitment to become the village the next generation of acorns deserves.

When I tell you my heart danced with joy!!!!

For six hours, the good people of The Children’s Center stayed with me.

They learned, reflected, collaborated, mapped children’s ecosystems, shared their work, and absorbed strategies for showing up in ways that move children and families forward.

They did not simply attend a professional learning experience.

They leaned into the mission.

One person can carry a message, but one person is not a movement.

A movement begins when the message moves beyond the person who first spoke it.

It grows when others believe it, embody it, and carry it into places the original messenger could never reach alone.

Every time I enter a room and discover that the Acorn message arrived before I did, my heart is full.

Today, I saw the Acorn Movement growing in Suffolk, Virginia.

The seeds have been planted.

The roots are deepening.

The branches are spreading.

And the mighty, mighty oak trees are growing!

BOOM!! BANG!!! POW!!! SHA-BANG!!!! ❤️🌰🌱🌳🙌🏾