Remembering John

I first heard John McKnight speak about Asset Based Community Development twenty-five years ago to a small group of parents of kids with disabilities. I carried the notes from that conversation in my backpack for years as a reminder to see the gifts and assets around me. He changed the way I saw the world and my work. A few years later I was invited into a presentation he made to school teachers and the organizer brought John towards me at lunch and said I think the two of you might enjoy meeting each other. We had an extended lunch that day that carried over for many years.

I was deeply moved early on by the way he shared stories, made introductions and invitations, and fostered connections. John was a key supporter of the ABCD Cincinnati project and I was very privileged that he visited Cincinnati often as he was writing The Abundant Community and later invited me to his summer institute in Toronto. One of my favorite memories is going to the Blue Wisp Jazz Club with John and listening to live big band jazz music and John’s passion for music.

John also connected me to wonderful community builders like Rosita Del a Rosa, Jim Diers, Ann Livingston, and so many others. This past weekend I traveled to Chicago for John’s celebration of life. As we mourned his passing, we celebrated his life and the impact of his work and the many connections he facilitated across the world.

He will be missed by so many but his message and teachings will live on.