Traci Kirtley
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tracikirtley.bsky.social
Traci Kirtley
@tracikirtley.bsky.social
35 followers 20 following 15 posts
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tracikirtley.bsky.social
Perhaps my favorite piece we’ve published so far, where @kashenj.bsky.social and I talk about the ways we are seeing love change our national conversation, and the crucial role of hope in building a better future.

open.substack.com/pub/hopeseed...
On Hope
Julie: The best news story of the week I’ve seen is that the Administration has reportedly abandoned a proposal that would have prevented thousands of Americans from accessing disability benefits. The...
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Reposted by Traci Kirtley
shoe.bsky.social
The Fred Trump treatment. Give him a fake job while Miller draws up missile strike plans on fishermen.
October 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
tracikirtley.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...

Seeing former Republicans that I used to so vehemently disagree with speak out against Trump and his regime’s unlawful, unconstitutional, corrupt, anti-democratic actions is jarring, yet, it gives me extra confidence that ultimately, we can stamp this out.
Trump Wants His Corruption to Be Public
Intimidation and extortion depends on the targets knowing what price they may pay.
open.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Reposted by Traci Kirtley
aaup.org
BOOM!

After over a thousand students, faculty, & workers gathered on campus to demand a rejection of Trump’s bribe,

UVA SAYS NO LOYALTY OATH!

✊🏼✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾

M.I.T. ☑️
BROWN ☑️
PENN ☑️
USC☑️
UVA ☑️

This is People Power in Action.

#DefendHigherEd
We reject the compact. Large crowd gathered in protest Big crowd with signs reading “Don’t Fold” “Don’t Surrender”
October 17, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Reposted by Traci Kirtley
jessicacalarco.com
Trump doesn't seem to see that some people are still immune to his threats.

Jack White criticized Trump's Oval Office decor. The White House then called White a "washed-up, has-been loser... masquerading as a real artist." And White, undeterred, posted an absolutely blistering takedown in response.
officialjackwhite "Jack White is a washed up, has-been loser posting drivel on social media because he clearly has ample time on his hands due to his stalled career," wrote Cheung. "It's apparent he's been masquerading as a real artist, because he fails to appreciate, and quite frankly disrespects, the splendor and significance of the Oval Office inside of The People's House."--White House Communications Director Steven Cheung Listen, I'm an artist and not a politician so I'm in no need to give my answer or opinion on anything if I'm not inspired or compelled, but how funny that it wasn't me calling out trump's blatant fascist manipulation of government, his gestapo ICE tactics, his racist remarks about Latinos, Native Americans, etc. his ridiculous "wall" construction, his attacks on the disabled his attempted coup and mob insurrection and destruction of the sacred halls of congress, his disparaging sexist and pedophilic remarks about women, his obvious attempts at distraction about being a close personal friend of Jeffrey Epstein and his inclusion in the Epstein files, his ignorance of the dying children in Sudan, Gaza, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, his lack of empathy for military veterans and those struggling with poverty, his attempts to dismantle healthcare, his obvious wimpy and pathetic kowtowing to the dictators Putin and Kim Jong Un, his nazi like rallies, his attempts to sell merchandise and products like Goya beans through the office of the President, his fake "gunshot to the ear" that he showed no medical records or photographs of his constant, constant lying to the American people, etc. etc. No, it wasn't me calling out any of that, it was the fucking DECOR OF THE OVAL OFFICE remarks I made that got them to respond with insults. How petty and pathetic and thin skinned could this administration get? Masquerading as a real artist? Thank you for giving me my tombstone engraving! Well here's my opinion, trump is masquerading as a human being. officialjackwhite He's masquerading as a christian, as a leader, as a person with actual empathy. He's been masquerading as a businessman for decades as nothing he's involved in has prospered except by using other people's money to find loophole after loophole and grift after grift. His staff of professional liar toadies like Steven Cheung and Karoline Leavitt have been covering up and masking his fascism as patriotism and "ample time on at golf than helping ANYONE in the country. Improve. Anything. There progress with him, only smoke and mirrors and tax breaks for the ultra wealthy. So maga folk, enjoy your concrete paving over of the rose garden, your 200 million dollar ballroom in the White House, and your gaudy ass gold spray painted trinkets from Home Depot, cause he ain't spending any money agenda. on helping YOU unless you fit into his white supremascist country club rich idiot. No intelligent person can defend this low life fascist. This bankrupter of casinos. This failed seller of trump steaks, trump vodka, trump water, etc. This man and his goon squad have failed upwards for decades and have fleeced the American people over and over. This professional golf cheat, this grifter who has hundreds of thousands of deaths from his inaction of the pandemic on his hands, this man that the majority of the country somehow were fooled into supporting and voting into office (through the flawed electoral college) and their love of reality television stars. Being insulted by the actual White House that this particular conman leads is a badge of honor to me, because anyone who trump supports and likes is a villain who gives nothing to their fellow man, only takes what can benefit themselves. And no I'm not a Democrat either, I'm a human being raised in Detroit, I'm an artist who's owned his own businesses like his own upholstery shop and recording label since he was 21 years old who has enough street sense to know when a 3 card monte dealer is a cheap grifter and a thief.
August 22, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Traci Kirtley
propublica.org
Are you a public housing resident behind on rent?
• You may be able to request lower rent if your paycheck decreased
• You may qualify for a hardship exemption, which can pause your rental payments

Here’s a guide with more details.

With @bangordailynews.bsky.social
Are You a Public Housing Resident Behind on Rent? Received an Eviction Notice? Here’s What to Know.
If you’re one of 1.6 million people living in public housing nationally, you have special protections meant to prevent low-income tenants from being evicted when they fall behind on rent. We created…
www.propublica.org
August 9, 2025 at 5:00 PM
tracikirtley.bsky.social
I’m sitting with a student panel discussing basic needs challenges in college, and they’re discussing something I hear constantly: one of the most critical elements of successful programs is the simple act of treating students like human beings, rather than numbers.
August 5, 2025 at 2:26 PM
tracikirtley.bsky.social
This is devastating.
propublica.org ProPublica @propublica.org · Jul 26
ProPublica spoke to about 150 people who had lived in homeless encampments when cities cleared them out in “sweeps.”

We distributed notecards so people could tell us about the toll in their own words.

➡️ This is what they wrote: projects.propublica.org/impact-of-ho...
Handwritten notecard. Prompt at the top asks: What object was most devastating for you to lose, and how have you been coping? Answer below: Dentures. Were thrown away and coping isn't somthing I can do. It’s made me feel ugly, unworthy, can’t go get a job with no teeth. So how can get off the streets until another pair can be made?
July 27, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Reposted by Traci Kirtley
propublica.org
ProPublica spoke to about 150 people who had lived in homeless encampments when cities cleared them out in “sweeps.”

We distributed notecards so people could tell us about the toll in their own words.

➡️ This is what they wrote: projects.propublica.org/impact-of-ho...
Handwritten notecard. Prompt at the top asks: What object was most devastating for you to lose, and how have you been coping? Answer below: Dentures. Were thrown away and coping isn't somthing I can do. It’s made me feel ugly, unworthy, can’t go get a job with no teeth. So how can get off the streets until another pair can be made?
July 26, 2025 at 3:15 AM
tracikirtley.bsky.social
Ah,the irony of the recent EO on college sports which is the literal definition of DEI. It calls for:

Diversity: protection for women’s sports
Equity: addressing the disparities between rich and poor athletic departments
Inclusion: added $ for non-revenue sports

www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Saving College Sports
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1.  Purpose and
www.whitehouse.gov
July 25, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Reposted by Traci Kirtley
believestudents.bsky.social
From food and housing security to mental health and belonging, the CSU system continues to lead with care and action. We presented the #RealCollege Curriculum as a valuable resource for educators who want actionable tools and strategies that make a real impact. realcollege.believeinstudents.org/
The #Real College Curriculum |
realcollege.believeinstudents.org
July 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Traci Kirtley
rpsagainsttrump.bsky.social
CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten on Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”:

“I’m rarely really surprised when I look at polling data. I look at it every day. But the amount of disapproval for this bill, holy cow, my goodness gracious”
June 18, 2025 at 4:31 PM
tracikirtley.bsky.social
@kashenj.bsky.social and I pay homage to @nonprofitaf.bsky.social and the Wellbeing Economy Alliance while we try out imagining a radically different future. Check it out:

open.substack.com/pub/hopeseed...
Hopeful AF
Traci: Julie, after spending the last couple of decades running nonprofits, I have found comfort in the dark yet accurate humor of the blog “Nonprofit AF.” Are you familiar with it?
open.substack.com
June 6, 2025 at 2:27 AM
tracikirtley.bsky.social
Speaking to “opportunity hoarders”, Matthew Desmond says, “We can decorate our walls with rainbow flags and Black Lives Matter signs, but the wall remains the wall, indifferent to our decorations.”
May 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM
tracikirtley.bsky.social
It is exhausting, constantly waiting for the next terrible thing and then fighting them one by one.
But doing it really matters. Here’s what @kashenj.bsky.social and I have to say about that in our latest post.

hopeseeds.substack.com/p/pushback-m...
Pushback Matters
Julie: Traci - I loved seeing you at our reunion this weekend!
hopeseeds.substack.com
May 22, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Reposted by Traci Kirtley
believestudents.bsky.social
1 in 5 college students are parents. The reality is that being a parenting student is an incredibly common experience, yet their stories often get lost in the conversation about the "traditional college student."
A photo of a graduating student overlayed with the text, "When we come together to support students in need, they flourish." There's also a logo that says, "Fill the Funds; Together Toward the Finish Line."
April 30, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Reposted by Traci Kirtley
propublica.org
What makes a good tip for ProPublica?

• Information that isn’t already known
• Evidence that powerful people are doing something they shouldn’t
• Specifics and receipts

How to contact us securely:
How to Contact ProPublica or Send a Tip Securely — ProPublica
Our job is to hold people and institutions accountable. To do that, we need evidence.
propublica.org
May 1, 2025 at 1:01 AM
tracikirtley.bsky.social
Backstage getting ready for the premiere of our new #RealCollege curriculum course supporting basic needs of #studentparents! #RealCollegeMC #MCStudentParents
Care and Curriculum event program and backstage view
April 28, 2025 at 9:04 PM
tracikirtley.bsky.social
Look for the Helpers: the latest from @kashenj.bsky.social and me. open.substack.com/pub/hopeseed...
Seeds of Hope
Look for the Helpers
open.substack.com
April 24, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Reposted by Traci Kirtley
lincolnproject.us
They want you to think boycotts and protests don’t work. 71% drop in income says otherwise. Keep going.
April 22, 2025 at 8:49 PM
tracikirtley.bsky.social
@kashenj.bsky.social and I talk philanthropy, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and maybe the first nice things I’ve ever said about the Big Ten in our latest post.
Seeds of Hope
Leaders Leading
open.substack.com
April 23, 2025 at 1:56 AM
tracikirtley.bsky.social
@kashenj.bsky.social and I have been writing about the examples of courage and leadership we see from people who are standing up, speaking out, and pushing back against the authoritarian regime trying to take over our country. You can read our latest here.
April 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by Traci Kirtley
nytpitchbot.bsky.social
April 3, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Reposted by Traci Kirtley
atrupar.com
Booker: "I confess that I have been imperfect. I confess that I've been inadequate to the moment. I've confess that the Democratic Party has made terrible mistakes that gave a lane to this demagogue. I confess we all must look in the mirror and say 'we will do better.'"
April 1, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Traci Kirtley
believestudents.bsky.social
Texas, here we come!

@tracikirtley.bsky.social will be at Texas Strong Texas Pathways Institute #5 next week on April 3, discussing the #RealCollege Curriculum. She'll be presenting with the fabulous Virginia Fraire and Susan Warner-Sanchez.

Are you going? We're looking forward to seeing y'all!
March 28, 2025 at 4:10 PM