Like most of you, I find that it takes an effort to create balance in my life.  I love serving as the Head of School of Moravian Academy. There are so many great activities to participate in and fascinating individuals to connect with as I get to know this amazing community, so it stands to reason that striking a balance can be tricky at times.

I realize, however, that making time to exercise regularly will make me better able to be the leader I hope to be. Recognizing this, my wonderful husband bought me (us) a Peloton bike for my birthday and I have been enjoying getting to know the different instructors. My step-daughter’s favorite instructor is Tunde, so I thought I would take one of her classes. It was the “Speak Up” ride that she led on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. Her encouragement to riders to embrace discomfort, speak up, and impact change to foster a more loving and equitable world resonated with me deeply, and the music playlist for the ride was inspiring as well.

One of the songs was “Pride (In the Name of Love)”, a song by U2, performed beautifully by the Soweto Gospel Choir.  The song, released by U2 when I was a senior in high school, was written as a tribute to non-violent human rights advocates, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Jesus, who believed that all individuals have inherent value and that love for all should guide us.

Over 2,000 years after Jesus died and nearly 55 years after Martin Luther King Jr.'s death, we need love more than ever. The intensifying war in Ukraine, the escalating violence between Palestine and Israel, and the bloodshed in major cities across our country calls on us to consider how we might contribute to a more just, peaceful and equitable world.  As the Moravian Academy mission states, we must lead with “head and heart,” “immersed in an environment of love and understanding.”

One way we foster the environment of love and understanding at Moravian Academy is to ensure all members of our community feel seen and valued by learning about each other. Today marks the first day of Black History Month, first named as such during our nation’s bicentennial in 1976 by then President Gerald Ford as a way to bring focus to the many accomplishments of black Americans that have often been overlooked.  

Moravian Academy will be participating in Black History Month in a variety of ways across all of our three campuses this month, expanding love and appreciation to draw us closer together as a community.  Our campus newsletters and social media will highlight some of these opportunities over the course of the next month. Personally, I will be making an effort to do my part-–in the name of love. I invite you to join me.