“More Than A Phase”
- A Poetic Reflection on Social Insights
by Adán Bean

The way that it is… 
…is not the way that it has to be. 

I still remember that day 
I was in a room of 500, let’s say, 
and a question was asked of we, 
They asked, “How many want change?” 
And 500 hands shot up happily 
Then they asked, “How many want TO change?” 
And only a few hands still defied gravity. 

And it's a tragedy we’re seeing 
It’s the truth in a lot of ways 
The only constant is change 
But change is MORE THAN A PHASE 

It’s a constant state of being 
Just look at the state that we in… 

A government that oversees an overreach before our eyes 
A government overseas that oversees a genocide 
A government bought by a billionaire, built by a billion lies 
Change is not a phase, change decides who lives and who dies. 

This change in question is more than a course correction 
The change is a rift - a complete paradigm shift 
Using methodologies mixed to center the marginalized 
And those most at risk 
Black-women-led with raised voices and raised fists 
With calls for all to refuse and resist 

Using cutting-edge metrics to measure social innovation 
And social-scientific approaches to answer questions, gauge, and dissuade marginalization And all of this is undertaken 
Using courageous inquiry, liberatory methodology 
And trusted relationships as a core tenant and central theology 

Change is more than a phase. 
Change is how it’s got to be 

And we’ll never truly change unless we embrace this work honestly
Because MORE THAN A PHASE 
Is more than a phrase 
And in the same way, this place where you’re standing right now is more than an office space.
More than a base to work long hours and the like, 
Even more than an office where you can accomplish the research of Social Insights, 

You might feel like you're here by chance or happenstance 
But you’re here because somewhere along the line, your ancestors danced Your ancestors sung, sobbed and created 
They prayed, worked and waited 
They sacrificed on your behalf with the belief that you would make it. 

They understood that you were needed for a time such as now 
And I’m not being hyperbolic when I’m saying you’re standing on hallowed ground 

This is a place for connections, 
Forged bonds and intersections, 
Community collaboration, personal growth, and reflection, 

A place to bring your passions and dreams 
Your talents, ways, and means 
Your abilities, your unique experience, and expertise 

You’re here, not for a career or occupation 
This is a calling, a vocation 
You are standing on the shoulders of those folks who rose to the occasion 

The Zora Neals and Audre Lordes 
The Fannie Lous who came before us 
And those who history may have forgotten, but they got us moving forward 

Understanding that the work while brutal, can also be beautiful 
And that anyone who has ever wanted to impact the world was a little bit delusional
Naive enough to believe that we’re better than business as usual 
Rooted in the simple truth and understanding that “Research is not neutral” 

My Granny used to say “God don’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.”
And that's the feeling I feel when I look around this room at each of ya’ll
You’re standing shoulder to shoulder with comrades in the cause 
To decolonize data and leverage research on behalf of all 

So as I say 
MORE THAN A PHASE is so much more than a phrase
It is a reminder that we’re working towards making a lasting change 
No matter the resistance, Social Insights is committed to impact, influence, and improvement
And moving beyond the numbers to meet the moment, and turn it into a movement!