Quiet Leadership, Gratitude, and Purpose: A Thanksgiving Reflection from Tangela Q. Parker

As we step into Thanksgiving, I’ve been thinking about what authentic leadership looks like when the noise is loud and the work is demanding. It’s never just the title. It’s the discipline, the clarity, and the gratitude you carry with you.

I’m grateful for the teams who show up with commitment, focus, and genuine care, even on the hard days.

I’m grateful for the partners and advocates who continue pushing for equity and access across our communities.

And I’m grateful for the grounding moments that remind me why this work matters, especially now.

Leadership isn’t proven by volume.

It’s proven by steadiness.

By how you show up.

By how you treat people.

By how you stay aligned with your purpose when everything around you is shifting.

I’m wishing everyone a peaceful Thanksgiving, one filled with rest, clarity, and the kind of perspective that brings us back to what truly matters.