Courage is Contagious.

Reflections on the importance of recognizing the courageous ones, allowing art to feed our souls, and that we the people can build the country we deserve.

It’s been a long
A long time coming, but I know
A change gon’ come
Oh yes, it will

-Sam Cooke, “A Change Is Gonna Come”

I was honored to attend the inaugural Kettering Democracy Prize ceremony¹ earlier this week in Washington, D.C.² The Kettering Democracy Prize “honors those whose extraordinary courage and commitment in the fight for democracy are a guiding light and inspiration for people around the world.” The two laurates for 2025 were Alexei Navalny, the late Russian opposition leader, and Judith Browne Dianis, a civil rights lawyer and advocate for racial justice and democracy.

We first heard from Kettering Foundation president and CEO Sharon Davies (shown above). She reminded us that the only way this country ever made progress toward fulfilling its founding ideals was due to the brave and courageous choices of those who came before us. And that in this moment, where almost all of that progress is being attacked, that we should draw both inspiration and resolve from their examples to continue to do the work.

And then she said it: “those putting democracy in peril have been forced to see that courage can be contagious.” That line has been echoing in my mind ever since. And I then understood how important it is to have moments like that evening to hear from and about those who are putting themselves—and even their lives—on the line in order to protect and sustain democracy.

When we see and hear about their courage, we can begin to imagine where and how we might also show courage. Where and how we can also act in order to make a world where all have the opportunity to live without fear and to make the promise of democracy real for everyone, everywhere.

It’s been too hard living
But I’m afraid to die
‘Cause I don’t know what’s up there
Beyond the sky

Ruth Ben-Ghiat introduced the first awardee, Alexei Navalny, recounting his incredible and selfless acts of sacrifice on behalf of his fellow Russian citizens in order to fight for a Russia that was free and democratic. His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, received the award on his behalf and then shared from her own experience how we can all fight for freedom wherever we are (see above). As I reflected on the challenges facing Navalny, and how he still continued on, I was struck that the day-to-day choices and efforts can’t depend on a certainty of reaching a particular end point—he knew he would likely never see a day where Russia was again a democracy.

Rather, it was about the struggle, the work—that was the point. He was already embodying the world and nation he was fighting to create. As Yulia Navalnaya shared, “People who saw him, they just felt that they could do it because he’s like them.”

Then, I go to my brother
And I say, “Brother, help me, please”
But he winds up knockin’ me
Back down on my knees, oh

Melissa Murray introduced the next awardee, Judith Browne Dianis (shown above), who was executive director of the nonprofit Advancement Project for the last 25+ years after retiring in October. The first words of Judith’s speech will stop you cold: “I am a citizen of a country that does not yet exist.” She was quoting Dr. Vincent Harding, an African American historian, whose work informed her own. Throughout her remarks, and the conversation between Judith and Melissa that followed, it was clear that only through doing democracy—organizing, protesting, informing, advocating—do we begin to realize the already-but-not-yet-ness of our citizenship in a country marked by true democracy. In a way, it does exist, but only when we live like it.

There been times that I thought
I couldn’t last for long
But now, I think I’m able
To carry on

As I listened to these stories from those who have shown us the way, I felt deep inside of me a belief and resolve that seemed lost to me most days. Perhaps it was always there and it just needed a bit of air. But I could see that all is not lost. Those around us are making and remaking the country we all deserve—where we are free, and safe, and supported.

And sometimes, we need art and artists to make real what we sense deep inside of us, but can’t quite wrap our minds and hearts around. Charles Yang played two songs at different points of the ceremony, and the video below is of the second song he played, his rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come.” Skip to 2 minutes 45 seconds for the vocals, but I recommend gifting yourself 6 minutes to let his genius and the beauty of his talent wash over you.

I know in the coming weeks I’ll reflect on the ceremony and Charles’ performance to fill my soul and remind myself that it’s in the doing that we embody the democracy we deserve and that we the people, all of us together, have plenty of courage. . .

And courage, it’s contagious.

It’s been a long
A long time coming, but I know
A change gon’ come
Oh yes, it will

Onward, together.

1. Watch the full ceremony at the link provided here.

2. I’m a research fellow for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation and have shared some of what I’ve been working on with them here and here. I’ll have another post to share in early December on Christian nationalism and ableism. I believe it is a good one, so look out for that. At the ceremony I was also able to meet Kettering Foundation board member and USA Track and Field legend Edwin Moses. He won 122 consecutive 400 m hurdles races (1977-1987), revolutionizing the event.