The ultimate measure of a man [or a woman] is not where he [or she] stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he [or she] stands at times of challenge and controversy.
— Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929 – 1968), American civil rights activist…

hey there, .

it's darren harley — of Open to Change, 

and i'm excited to share with you this update,

from the battlefield.

would it surprise you to learn... 

that in the heart of Central Park, NYC — on one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in the world — managed by the most well-funded Conservancy in history, 

there lies a festering, social injustice,

being perpetrated...

against hundreds of wage-suppressed, wellness-starved, food-insecure, field staff.

it surprised the hell out of me...

and in the Spring of 2014,

— within these soils of systemic oppression —

our OTC Wellness Group was seeded,

 💚

& with love & support from our community, 

we've taken root.

at OTC, 

we believe that ALL workers, 

particularly those employed by highly profitable corporations — i.e. Central Park Conservancy,

should be paid a dignified, livable wage, 

and should have access to healthy foods & wellness services.

IMAGINE if the leaders of our park,

— who raised over $200 million, in 2016 —

had the decency,

to invest in the wellness of their workers.

on August 10th, 2016, 

after having seen quite enough...

i wrote an All-Staff letter to Doug Blonsky, 

 the park's long-time President & CEO — who earned more than $700,000 in 2016, 

and i challenged him to stand-up for his workers,

and their wellness.

i challenged him to stand-up for himself...

and answer to the unfolding story,

of  inequality,

wage suppression,

food insecurity,

— and dare i say, racism —

at the 💚 of Central Park.

on June 6th, 2017, 

— after reporting a $34 million operating loss, for 2016 —

Blonsky finally responded to my letter...

by tucking his tail, 

securing  his custom, golden parachute,

and resigning...

leaving his workers outside the golden doors,

of oppression.

at Open to Change, we're standing tall...

with the workers of Central Park & beyond,

and through our

Bike / Run / Walk... for Change

we're raising awareness & support for the issues...

of inequality, wage suppression, food insecurity, 

and yes...  racism.

with more than 800 athletes, 

from over 25 countries, 

logging 50,000 miles+ per week,

we've grown into a global, social movement, 

for change.

and with support from our Social Impact Partners,  

— i.e. Red Rabbit, of East Harlem —

we're delivering farm-fresh food & wellness,

to many hundreds of under-served workers, 

& their families.

#FoodJustice

our mission, at OTC, 

— aside from feeding people —

is to inspire, awaken, & empower

social change,

through art, 

activism, 

& social enterprise.

i hope you'll join us...

and help us fuel this important social movement.