Ai-jen Poo © domesticworkers.org
Denver: We’re here with Ai-jen Poo, the executive director of NDWA, and we are going to play Take Five. Are you ready, Ai-jen?
Ai-jen Poo: I’m ready.
Denver: What idea in Philanthropy is ready for retirement?
Ai-jen Poo: [Pass.]
Denver: What should we be worried about?
Ai-jen Poo: We should be worried about our lack of a plan in terms of care.
Denver: What is one of your favorite documentaries or movies?
Ai-jen Poo: Harlan County USA.
Denver: What is today’s most underreported story?
Ai-jen Poo: The story about the impact of deportations on immigrant families.
Denver: What is something you believe that other people think is just insane?
Ai-jen Poo: That we should have universal family care.
Denver: What is the most interesting part of your morning ritual?
Ai-jen Poo: Yoga.
Denver: What is the most important thing that makes for a healthy organizational culture?
Ai-jen Poo: Feedback.
Denver: What did you change your mind about in the last 10 years and why?
Ai-jen Poo: Electoral politics.
Denver: When was the last time you were voluntarily totally disconnected from all your devices?
Ai-jen Poo: During a yoga retreat.
Denver: If you were a kitchen utensil, what would you be?
Ai-jen Poo: A spoon.
Denver: What do you wish people are more open and honest about?
Ai-jen Poo: Their disagreements.
Denver: If you were to start your career all over again and do something completely different and away from this field, what would that be?
Ai-jen Poo: Something in the field of storytelling.
Denver: What’s your super power?
Ai-jen Poo: Optimism.
Denver: If you could have one gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say?
Ai-jen Poo: Love.
Denver: What is something whether it’s related to your work or not that you are exceptionally excited about right now?
Ai-jen Poo: The progress that we’re making on care in states.
Denver: What is the one book you would give as a gift?
Ai-jen Poo: Another Country
Denver: What topic would you speak about if you were asked to give a TED Talk on something completely outside your main area of expertise?
Ai-jen Poo: Yoga.
Denver: What is something about you that very few other people know?
Ai-jen Poo: That I love to dance.
Denver: Given the choice of anyone famous in the world dead or alive that you could invite over for dinner, who would that be?
Ai-jen Poo: Ella Baker
Denver: What advice would you give to your 25-year-old self?
Ai-jen Poo: Be compassionate but don’t overextend your energy.
Denver: Finally, do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?
Ai-jen Poo: There’s a quote from Dr. King’s speech, Where Do We Go From Here, that talks about love and power.