To share in a loving community
and vision that magnifies our strength and banishes
fear and despair, here, we find the solid ground
from which justice can flow like a mighty stream.

–Victor Lewis

The Starbucks in San Leandro’s Palma Plaza has become a community gathering place for a portion of that city’s Ethiopian men. My ancestors hail from a very different part of the African continent than these gentlemen, but I am always happy to see Black folks enjoying each other’s company. For most of our 500-year sojourn in the Americas, loving, life-affirming community has been our greatest source of strength.

Ajuan Mance