By Vice Mayor Sasha Naiman
May is a beautiful month in Montgomery. The flowers blossom, neighbors gather, and our parks fill with life. It’s a time of renewed energy, of growth—and a perfect moment to reflect on the kind of community we’re striving to be. What’s in bloom for you today? What seeds are you planting, knowing that sunshine—as well as rainstorms—will help them flourish?
In the May issue of the Montgomery Bulletin, you’ll read about two programs “growing” in Montgomery: the Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy (MCLA) and our “Smashing the Stigma” mental health initiative. As an MCLA alum, I was proud to attend the recent Class of 2025 graduation—and to hear how this program continues deepening civic engagement and leadership for community members. And, with May being Mental Health Awareness Month, you’ll find highlights of our City’s efforts to support mental health and wellbeing, including Montgomery’s partnership with Care Solace to offer free mental health resources.
These two initiatives may seem unrelated, but they share something powerful in common—both require courage.
Courage to ask questions. Courage to listen deeply. Courage to speak up and to step into new experiences.
Whether through formal programs like the Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy or through quiet, everyday actions, courage begins with a choice. Sometimes it’s a choice to show up and stand up for yourself or for others, even when it seems time-consuming, complicated, stigmatized, or unpopular. It’s that neighbor who starts a conversation about a difficult topic. It’s the parent who advocates for their child’s needs. It’s the resident who volunteers, not for recognition, but because they care. It’s being inclusive and welcoming as a community.
Every one of those acts is a kind of bravery. And being brave doesn’t mean being unafraid. It often means facing hard, scary situations and deciding to show up anyway—for ourselves, for our families, and for those around us.
So, this May, let’s practice that kind of bravery. Show up for someone who needs it. Give grace to yourself and to others when there are missteps—and then step forward again, hopefully in a better way. Don’t forget, like the plants blooming around us, you need to get sunlight and drink water. And, if you haven’t yet explored programs like MCLA, consider this a personal invitation to connect more deeply with this community. The leadership Montgomery needs might just be your own.
P.S. Want to literally help the flowers bloom this May? Our annual Beautification Day is around the corner—so, don’t forget to sign up as a volunteer!