This week, as my dear friend Salah Boukadoum wrote here, our community lost its most ardent champion for social innovation … for equity … for humanity in its most basic form: unfiltered, unselfish, unquestionable LOVE.

Serena Simmons Connelly, beloved wife, mother, daughter, and sister, died on April 22, 2020 in Dallas, Tx at the age of 50. “

The Dallas Morning News’ Obituary

I was texting a friend that Serena’s loss carved a big hole in our community. (See my prior blog on her work here.)

My iPhone autocorrected ‘hole’ to ‘hope.’

I like to believe that Serena took over Siri for that second.

May we each honor her legacy as she would challenge us to do: by putting our shoulder to the wheel of justice, and pushing as hard as we can.

Rest in the most beautiful peace, Serena Connelly. My life, my work, and my community are better and brighter because of you.