Building a World of Belonging:

"Oh, you're a PRINCE fan, huh?", he challenged, scanning me. "You ever seen Purple Rain? Under the Cherry Moon?"

"Well, no... not yet", I sputtered, probably averting my gaze toward the floor.

"Mm-hMM", he retorted as he shifted his feet, indicating that this conversation was just about over. "You watch those films, and then we can talk about you being a real Prince fan." And with that, he rounded the corner into the adjacent room.

You see, I first met Matthew R. Reynolds in 2008, when I was hired on as a host/ server at a rather nice restaurant in my hometown, in suburban southern Oregon. He was one of the managers, and he helped to run that place like a well-oiled machine. I remember feeling the instant urge to impress him. He spoke clearly, and he listened intently. And, despite the way the above dialogue might read to some, Matthew always regards people with grace, while also holding them to a high standard and reminding them (in so many words) that there's always more to learn. "We are all teacher, learner, and knower," as he's been known to say. I would now like to humbly introduce you all to the vital human Work (with a capital 'W') that Matthew is CURRENTLY doing (get pumped about it, y'all), because...

Here we are, roughly 13 years later. He and I have been close friends since that fateful conversation about our "dearly beloved" Prince, and we have also been longtime collaborators within the fields of Performing Arts and Education. For over 12 years, Matthew was an ambassador of building Belonging for hundreds of students within the public high school realm - and I was consistently overjoyed, inspired, and creatively challenged by every opportunity I got to participate in that ecosystem he was fostering, in concert with his students. He brings a comparable fire and integrity to a new endeavor he's been steadily building for the past couple of years:

Matthew Reynolds Consulting, LLC.

Click the above link to visit his website, after finishing this article. But for right now, let Matthew tell it...

“Educate your mind, feed your soul.”

~ Matthew Reynolds

"Be your biggest, fullest, and brightest self." - M. Reynolds

As he's done with peers, colleagues, and students for many years now, I can tell you firsthand that Matthew aims to give his clients and workshop participants new resources that will uncover for them their greatest human potential - knowing that the personal (and communal) betterment process is ongoing, ever-transforming, and lifelong. The Work is a living, breathing document - as we are.

"No shame in the game." - M. Reynolds

Matthew answers this call to action with the utmost integrity. There's a lot of shame being felt, and flung about, from seemingly all sides these days. As he strives toward building Belonging and a just world for all individuals and communities, I have witnessed Matthew time and time again cast aside the prevalent tactic of shaming, and embolden people to join together in empathetic dialogue and inquiry. He calls them to action and accountability practice. Of course, these introspective, self-reflective and action-based processes that he engages people in are not always comfortable; change is most often uncomfortable. Degrees of discomfort are inherent in things that matter.

"Worthy NOW." - M. Reynolds

Yes, he is. Yes, you are. Yes, WE are. The main resource, or tool, that Matthew has helped to build within hundreds upon hundreds of people through his consulting company is: a Personal Equity Lens. I have participated in a decent number of EDI (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion), Justice & Liberation trainings and workshops the past handful of years; although I would absolutely argue that each of them have had merit and/or valuable resources to share, I've not encountered an outcome more personalized and catered to each individual's lived experience(s) than the Personal Equity Lens that Matthew strives to equip each person with in his consultations and workshops. Many people these days are crying out for an "actionable step." In my eyes, this actionable step - this call to action - is a game-changer. Because it has each person, humanity itself, at the core.

"We are working for 7 generations from now." - M. Reynolds

This mantra of Matthew's is one that echoes in the chambers of my brain on a regular basis now. Especially when working with youth. In his workshops and within everyday dialogues, Matthew is consistently reminding his collaborators that we are playing the long game here, and that there are no "quick fixes." He selflessly emboldens us to keep doing the Work (with a capital 'W') even if we may not witness the equity, justice, and liberty we seek within our own lifetime(s). He calls me, and Us, to action... and I treasure him for it.

I strongly urge you to not merely take my word for it - but see for yourselves the awesome Work this man is doing for communities across the nation. And then, check out some more resources and people that he personally recommends:

-- Please connect with Matthew Reynolds Consulting, LLC on the FB!

-- While you're at it, hit the MRC Team up on IG, too!

https://www.instagram.com/matthewreynoldsconsulting/

The man himself, whom this article highlights, wished for these further people and resources to be passed along to You as well. A curated resource list, of sorts. A playlist for (y)our journey Forward, if you will. Please make use of them and benefit. May the Learning never cease...

*Hit up our friends and colleagues over at the Accountability Collective! They, as well as all the individuals and teams listed below, are Warriors in the Work...

~ Thank you, humbly. You, as well as your time, are valued.

I hope to meet you on the path toward building a world where Belonging exists for us ALL.

(( https://www.mrrconsulting.org/ ))