We all lost a friend last week.

Even if you didn’t know Robin Reed personally, I promise he was pulling for you as he poured every ounce of his wisdom, positivity and selflessness into our community.

If you did know Robin personally, I know you’re as heartbroken as I am.

I met Robin in 2020 when it felt like our world could crack apart. The COVID-19 pandemic was taking hold, George Floyd was murdered and the inequities of access and inclusion were laid bare. The need for both immediate services and long-term solutions was greater than ever. As a relatively new Valley resident, I sought guidance from myriad leaders on how Valley of the Sun United Way could best serve people in our community during that unprecedented time, and to do so with diversity, equity, access and inclusion as our guide. Our Board Member Ruben Alvarez introduced me to Robin in hopes that he would share his expertise and guidance, and that is what Robin did…for me, for our Board of Directors, for our organization, our community, and United Ways throughout the country and world.

As a natural connector and a uniter, Robin valued the role of United Way both locally and globally. United Way is forever fortunate, and I am forever grateful that Robin stepped up to advise and help lead our efforts during that historic time, and that his support continued as a member of our Board, a founding member of our Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion (DEAI) Board Task Force and ultimately the standing DEAI committee of our Board which he insisted be formalized to institutionalize and continue this important work of Valley of the Sun United Way. As President and CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona, a business leader, and an entrepreneur Robin provided an incredibly valuable perspective and brought his vast network of experts to help us set and achieve ambitious goals for United Way and our community.

Robin shared his gifts with so many of us and leaves a hole that will be difficult, if not impossible, to fill. Publicly, whether it was sitting on the couch with him on the STN Community Collaborative show, around the table at one of our Board meetings, or helping to facilitate a meeting of United Way leaders, Robin’s words were always both insightful and incisive, while also finding a way to connect with and put everyone at ease. I remember Robin sharing with my colleague named Franklyn that he himself was the voice of Franklin in Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving special, Peanuts' first Black character. When he met my colleague from Wisconsin, Robin shared that he “LOVES Wisconsin brats and kringle!" He cared about finding these special connections.

Personally, Robin became a mentor and friend. He often sought out the time to share an unexpected compliment on something he observed, or to provide positively constructive feedback to make me, and our organization better.

My heart goes out to Robin’s wife Shawna and their family. It’s their sorrow that hits me most acutely and I know the community will wrap itself around them, just as Robin did for all of us so many times. My team and I look forward to supporting them as we collectively memorialize Robin’s life and his deep impact in the days, months and years to come. His work was not done, but will forever be felt.

Thank you, Robin, for who you were, for all you made possible and for the unwavering belief you had in each of us. Your legacy inspires us all to carry on your work, to achieve your aspirations, and to unite our community as a more equitable one for all.

Rest in peace and power.