meet makenzie healy.
She is the new opportunity, equity and inclusion coordinator at CICF. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the department and serves as the liaison to CICF’s community ambassadors.
What excites you about your new role?
What excites me about this new role is the ability to do such meaningful work—while also getting paid to do it. I have been given the opportunity with this job to focus on what’s going on around me. I have recently been surrounded by strong characters that tell me my people matter and it is so reassuring. I’m so grateful that this role is a part of my life and the future lessons I will learn being here.
In this past year, what book, movie or album resonated with you in the strongest way and why?
In this past year, the album that has resonated with me in the strongest way is A Gorgeous Fortune by KAMAUU. Specifically, his song PohLease which I would describe as the older sibling to This is America by Childish Gambino. One of the first lines in the song KAMAUU says, “As a Black person in America when you see the police, say a little prayer to the shepherd. Who let wolves guard the sheep?” Even after a year there are two parts in that song that still gives me chills when I listen to it. I love the way he mixes rap, R&B, reggae and doo wap into his songs. He is truly a talented artist and I was lucky to stumble across him.
What’s one thing you’re learning now, and why is it important?
I am learning that I don’t know a lot of what’s happened and is happening to the people of color in America. I hate admitting that. For a while, I didn’t want to know what was happening because it was painful and I felt powerless to do anything. But now in this role, I feel like I’m able to make a difference. And sometimes that means just listening. Listening to people’s experiences seems to be what I know how to do right now, so I’m going to continue to absorb this information.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
My favorite way to unwind after a busy day is to stuff my face with takeout and watch reality shows while telling myself that tomorrow I’ll wake up early to workout knowing full well that I will not do that.
What’s your most recent act of equity?
I met up with one of our community ambassadors to help sort out some donated items. She runs a community pantry. It felt great to be giving back and to build a deeper relationship with one of our ambassadors who is entrenched in the work and the local community. Relationships are key to bringing out real change in this society.
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