WITH APPRECIATION, FROM CEO OTIS HACKNEY

Dear friends,

Last month, I was excited and honored to take the helm of Broad Street Love as CEO, and to join you in the work of this truly special organization.

I stepped into this role deeply motivated by our mission of Radical Hospitality and our commitment to not only addressing material needs, but also supporting the strength of the whole person on their long-term pathways.

As I’ve gotten to know our staff, volunteers, board members, and community members like you, I’ve been even more energized by the profound dedication everyone holds for this work. It is heartfelt, palpable, and a privilege to become part of this shared effort. Thank you all for such a warm welcome.

As many of you know, my background is in education. Through that experience, I became a firm believer in organizations that build up each person’s inherent skills and gifts, ultimately transforming lives. Central to my approach is a philosophy of “high expectations with high support.” With unwavering confidence in the innate strengths of the people we serve, and by wrapping them in the deep support and accountability they need to achieve their goals, comes true transformation. The power of community makes it a reality: a team of people, all with different roles and strengths, coming together to make a difference.

Friends, you are a vital part of that community, and I am writing today simply to say thank you. The work of Broad Street Love is the effort so many: our dedicated staff, devoted volunteers, partner organizations, supporters, neighbors, and friends.

Our guests face no shortage of challenges. In the current climate, those challenges come with a higher level of unpredictability, making our collective work more critical than ever. In recent weeks, we’ve seen meal attendance hit more than 350 people per day.

As we move forward, I invite you to stay deeply involved.

• Consider volunteering—either on your own or with your employer, community, or faith group. Whether you join us regularly or occasionally, you never know just how profoundly you might impact someone’s day.
• Advocate for us by sharing our mission in your daily conversations or on social media (@broadstreetlove).
• And finally, in whatever way is generous for you, I hope you will continue to give financially, ensuring our human, facility, and supply resources remain steady and reliable for the people we serve.

Thank you, again, for being an essential part of our mission and for making an impact every day. I look forward to keeping in touch and sharing more about our journey ahead.

Best regards,

Otis Hackney

Chief Executive Officer