Planting the First Seed: The Origins of Seeding Disruption
How do you change a system that’s designed to stay the same?
This question haunted us long before Seeding Disruption was born. The realization that well-meaning efforts are constantly bumping up against structural barriers is disheartening, to say the least. And it’s a feeling that many leaders have faced, including us.
Seeding Disruption was born from this very frustration—from seeing the cracks in the system and knowing there had to be a way to break through them. It wasn’t about doing more of the same; it was about doing things differently, together.
This is a story about planting that first seed of change, how we’ve nurtured it, and how it’s now spreading beyond D.C.
A 30,000-Foot View—But a Ground-Level Problem
In 2017, D.C. was continuing to grapple with significant disparities—particularly along racial lines. Partner and Co-Creator Abigail Smith recalled how she had spent years watching brilliant, well-intentioned people tirelessly work to move things forward for kids and families. Yet, they kept hitting the same walls—entrenched systems that were never designed to create equitable outcomes. In fact, many of these systems actively perpetuated racial inequities.
From her bird’s-eye view, Abigail saw how fragmented the work was. “You had all these smart, committed people, but they were often duplicating efforts or even working at cross purposes,” she said.
Worse still, these silos often prevented collaboration among those who shared the same goals. Leaders couldn’t even see the systemic barriers they were up against, let alone dismantle them.
This recognition—that systemic problems required systemic solutions—was the catalyst for Seeding Disruption. By bringing together diverse leaders and fostering collaboration across silos, we are creating a united front capable of enacting real change.
Breaking Down Barriers: A Fellowship Rooted in Collaboration
Seeding Disruption isn’t a typical fellowship. It’s designed primarily for senior leaders and decision-makers who already know how to lead but may not yet fully realize the power they hold. As Executive Director and Co-Creator, Michelle Molitor recalls, the fellowship aims to help people remember that they do have the power to effect change—even when the systems they work within make them feel otherwise.
Quoting Alice Walker, she often reminds everyone that "the quickest way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any." This sentiment resonated deeply with fellows, many of whom came into the program feeling disempowered by the very positions that, on paper, were supposed to give them authority. In reality, they were navigating structures that made progress nearly impossible.
Seeding Disruption created a space where leaders from diverse sectors could acknowledge that their struggles weren’t just isolated challenges within their own fields—they were interconnected problems rooted in racism. The more fellows shared their experiences, the more they realized that solutions couldn’t be crafted in silos. Collective action was the only way forward.
A Fellowship Grounded in Process—and Action
From the beginning, we knew that building trust was central to this work. Relationships had to be forged across lines of race and professional sectors. Leaders needed to understand why these barriers existed before they could tear them down.
But understanding the problem wasn’t enough. “Process is hugely important,” Michelle says, “but we always knew it wasn’t sufficient on its own. The learning, the relationships, all of that is necessary, but not enough—you have to move to action.” This bias toward action is what sets Seeding Disruption apart.
Throughout the year-long fellowship, participants are encouraged to bring specific, concrete problems to the table—problems of practice that they’re wrestling with in their day-to-day work. In small consultancy groups, fellows collectively brainstorm solutions, drawing from the wealth of perspectives in the room. These sessions are designed to help leaders take the big ideas discussed during the fellowship and apply them in real-time to their own organizations and communities.
Sowing Seeds of Change Nationwide
What started as a local initiative in D.C. has begun to garner interest in communities across the country. Leaders in cities like Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Denver have approached The Equity Lab, eager to replicate Seeding Disruption’s model. While the fellowship always prioritized addressing D.C.’s unique racial inequities, the founders soon realized that these issues were by no means exclusive to the nation’s capital.
The decision to expand wasn’t part of the original plan. In fact, Abby admits they hadn’t initially considered taking Seeding Disruption beyond D.C. “But the impact told its own story,” she said. As the fellowship continues, it has become clear that other cities could benefit from this approach—an approach that not only builds local leadership but also creates a network of leaders who can learn from and support one another across regional lines.
However, the expansion isn’t about simply replicating the model in different places. It’s about adapting it to meet the specific needs and challenges of each community. Every city has its own racial dynamics and is shaped by a unique history of systemic inequities that continue to resonate today. Seeding Disruption is flexible enough to account for these nuances while staying true to its core mission: breaking down systems of oppression through collective action.
Planting the Future
As Seeding Disruption continues to expand, the fellowship remains committed to its original vision: a future where systems of oppression are dismantled, and new, equitable systems take their place. The work is far from finished, but the seeds have been planted.
From our origins in D.C. to the cities and communities where we’re beginning to build, Seeding Disruption represents a movement for equity that’s grounded in collaboration, trust, and action.
The path ahead is both challenging and full of opportunities, but as Michelle and Abby often remind our fellows, you have more power than you think. It’s time to use it.
The Power to Transform Systems Starts with You
As we look to the future, we invite you to join us in building a more equitable world. Whether through supporting our work directly or expressing interest in joining the next cohort of the Seeding Disruption fellowship, your engagement helps us continue this vital work. Together, we can plant seeds of change, nurture leadership, and dismantle systems of oppression. Join us today.
