Transitions

Dear friends,

I’m sharing today that I’ll be stepping down from my role as Program Director at upEND. This transition comes with a deep sense of gratitude for the time I’ve spent here.

My work at upEND has meant a great deal to me. I’m proud of what the team and I have built together to deepen public and political understanding of family policing abolition and to shift the narrative toward dignity, accountability, and community. During my time here, I’ve had the opportunity to help lead and shape work I believe in deeply—co-creating The upEND Podcast, supporting the Youth Voices Empowered (YVE) collective at Montrose Grace Place, producing the documentary A Vision of Grace, developing national convenings, and contributing to creative and strategic projects like Dream, Create, Liberate. Each of these efforts has been grounded in a shared commitment to truth-telling and collective well-being.

I’m also very grateful for the relationships I’ve built along the way with fellow organizers, partners, and community members who continue to show me what it means to do this work with integrity and intention. I’m especially thankful to Joyce McMillan and Angela Burton, who first welcomed me into this movement with open arms and have continued to encourage me over the years as I’ve developed my voice and vision as an abolitionist thinker and dreamer.

While I’m transitioning out of my staff role, I’m not stepping away from upEND or this movement. I will continue as part of the advisory team, alongside Maya, connease, and Alan, and remain deeply committed to advancing social justice initiatives in all the ways my work calls me to.

I’m also leaving with a strong sense of trust in what’s ahead. upEND’s staff is in good hands with Sydnie Mares guiding the many upcoming projects the organization is bringing forward.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with me. I’m looking forward to what comes next—for all of us.

— Josie Pickens