I recently dropped my children off for their first day of school, and among the many memories that flashed through my heart and head this morning was our first walk to school when my son was starting kindergarten three years ago. It was after kneeling down to hug his smiling, toothless face outside of Mrs. Miller’s classroom that I had my first meeting about the campaign that would eventually become #BeKind21.

#BeKind21 came out of the deep hope I had as a mother that my son would be met with welcoming, affirming classrooms that practiced intentional kindness. That campaign has extended beyond any of our wildest dreams to be a global kindness movement for anyone who wishes for kinder, more connected environments.

Click here to join our movement and if you’ve already signed up, invite a friend here: bornthisway.foundation/bekind21.

When we walked to school this year, the world felt completely different. This time, I had to watch him and his little sister from a distance. My daughter, wide eyes above her mask, was trusting her older brother to show her to her classroom and introduce her to her teacher. I couldn’t walk into the principal’s office after drop off to talk about kindness as parents aren’t allowed on campus for our children’s safety. Everything feels both precious and precarious and as I waved goodbye to my babies, I realized that what was a kind hope four years ago was now an urgent ache.

As a member of our Born This Way Foundation community, I am sure you identify with that feeling of helplessness and drive to action. The world needs and demands our kindness, and #BeKind21 is one of my favorite ways to give it. Click here to learn more and sign up for #BeKind21.

I am grateful for each and every partner and person who joins #BeKind21; the numbers and reach of this initiative are so important and exciting. I’m also reminded, and want to remind you, of the individual lives that comprise those numbers. Many of us are volunteers within our community, caregivers to our loved ones, loyal supporters of favorite local businesses, and more. We show up each day in spaces that need our kindness and care. We have the power to make someone smile or to save a life; our kindness is that powerful.

Thank you for everything you do to build a kinder, and braver world. Invite someone to join us today: bornthisway.foundation/bekind21.