How do I serve and care for my community while still meeting big business goals? with Jelani Memory, VP & Publisher at DK

In this episode, we’re hearing from Constrained in Columbus. Our letter deals with creating a vibrant and engaged community under the pressure of big business goals.

To better help Constrained in Columbus, I invited Jelani Memory **as my guest expert. He’s not our typical guest because he doesn't manage or really consider himself a community creator. But as you will find in this episode he has an incredible amount of insights and wisdom to share with community builders, as he essentially takes a community-centric approach to everything that he does.

So, tune in for a powerful episode that will have you rethinking how to deal with people who disagree with you, inspired to walk the walk, and ready to better connect with your community.

In this episode:

(04:47) The importance of engaging and creating bridges to make change

(10:28) Jelani’s process to help other people access their own stories

(18:28) Leading your community culture by example

(23:26) The communitea: Constrained in Columbus’s letter

(24:49) 3 principles for the caretaking of your community

(31:23) Insights into Jelani’s own acquisition experience

(34:44) Being clear and true to the mission and values of your community

Expect: Heart-centered community strategy and thoughtful community engagement tactics.

Resources Mentioned:

👦 👧 Learn more about A Kids Co. at akidsco.com

❤️ Sign up for Heartbeat. Bri’s recommended all-in-one community platform.

💛 Join Ember. The place for go-getter community creators building community-powered businesses.

Noteworthy quotes:

“A community can't go further than you can take them. They will do what you do. You can say all sorts of stuff, but culture is what you do, not what you say. And they will act like you act. If you step all over people, if you try and be the most talkative person in the room, [if] you dismiss people's ideas, they will do that.“ - Jelani Memory

“[Community]'s an incredibly powerful model, especially when partnered with business and, to your point, when it's not coming from a place of authenticity and vulnerability and you setting the pace for that connection, it will crumble faster than your cookie possibly could.“ - Bri Leever

Jelani Memory

Jelani Memory is currently VP & Publisher at DK where he oversees the A Kids Book About Imprint. He's also the founder of A Kids Co., a groundbreaking media company that empowers children and families through meaningful and inclusive content. Awarded the Eleanor Roosevelt Bravery in Literature Award, Jelani previously co-founded Circle (the parental control app, NOT the community platform) and has revolutionized children's publishing by tackling important topics like systemic racism, self-love, and climate change.

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Bri Leever

Bri got her start building a community and growing it to a multi-million dollar revenue stream for a social enterprise in Portland, OR. Now, she supports folks used to running their business on content, coaching, and consulting to create their community offer. She's a Community Strategist by day and a Campervan host by night on the Big Island of Hawaii and you'll usually find her on, in, or under the water.

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And before you go…