LEAD InterGenerational Solutions is dedicated to advancing democracy and social justice through innovative leadership development and creative collaboration. We empower leaders of all ages by providing transformative training, workshops, webinars, seminars, and fellowships. Our work emphasizes the importance of intergenerational exchanges that address critical developments and challenges affecting communities today.
At LEAD, we create opportunities to connect with thought leaders, elected officials, advocates, and everyday community changemakers. Together, we examine historical and contemporary trends in social justice, anticipate shifts, spotlight best practices, and develop actionable strategies to overcome ongoing challenges.
Our work is inspired by the enduring legacies of visionaries like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. These leaders understood the necessity of collective action, courage, and a steadfast commitment to the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice. Their influence continues to guide our efforts as we strive to build a more inclusive and equitable democracy.
As we honor the birthday of Dr. King, we are reminded that as a nation, we have made progress despite bumps on the road and setbacks on the journey toward achieving a more perfect union—one that truly upholds the promise and King’s dream of liberty and justice for all.
Yet, the work is far from complete.
Advancing democracy requires belonging, accessibility, inclusive leadership, equity-mindedness and economic security —ensuring that all individuals feel valued and that systemic barriers are addressed with intention. At LEAD, we are committed to fostering cultural shifts and shaping policies that enable our nation to fulfill its creed: All people are created equal. Together, we are building a future where these words are not just ideals, but lived realities for all.
Securing a just and equitable future requires courage, commitment, compassion, vision and hope. These are the themes of LEAD’s podcast, LEADing Justice with Dr. Janet Dewart Bell.
We are pleased to share the vision and wisdom of our acclaimed guests in our first series of episodes. If you missed any, they are available on the LEADing Justice website and wherever you listen to podcasts.
We look forward to sharing the insights and wisdom of the stellar lineup of guests in our second series of episodes, which will be available in the coming weeks.
The June 16, 2022 online edition of The New York Times included 'I Feed Proud, and I Feel Mad as Hell': Gloria Steinem on Ms. Magazine and Feminism Today.
LEAD founder and president, Dr. Janet Dewart Bell, an early contributor to Ms., is quoted in the piece alongside Gloria Steinem, Lettie Cottin Pogrebin and Alice Walker. We have included Dr. Bell's quotes below and encourage you to read the entire article, which is linked on this page.
Question: Why the name Ms.?
Dr. Bell: My mother thought the title “Ms.” was absolutely brilliant — that it brought dignity, that it brought power and understanding of equality. She felt, even though she never used the term “intersectionality,” that it made women more alike than different.
Question: Early issues of Ms. featured an argument for gender-neutral pronouns, a piece about the Black family and feminism, and a proclamation signed by 53 women, including Anaïs Nin and Billie Jean King, that “we have had abortions.” Were you ahead of your time, or has the country moved backward?
Dr Bell: One of the things about Ms. that I most appreciated was the willingness to tackle all sorts of issues. My husband and I had a conversation some years ago with Letty, who was trying to give up her white privilege. And he said, “Well, you can’t do that. But what you can do is use your white privilege as you have done to advance racial and other kinds of justices.”
Question: What do you say to young women when they ask you where we go from here?
Dr. Bell: We have to really be very aware that there are people who are hungry for information, even though sometimes they’re tired. But we have to say it in a way, simplify it in a way that does not dumb down but it makes it accessible to people. People who don’t understand their history don’t understand that they have a future.
LEAD promotes transformative and systemic social justice by engaging multiple generations and diverse groups to integrate experience with innovation. Our programs are always focused on solutions to our social, political, and moral challenges. We do this, while also acknowledging the people who have and continue to lead the way.
It is therefore fitting that we present this Celebration of Mothers and Women who Stand for Justice and Peace, with Imani Wallace (Lyrical Faith), and a performance by the Valley Stream Central High School Chorus Freedom Quartet.
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