Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg welcomed daughter Max last week. Everyone is reported to be happy, healthy and basking in the bliss of being freshly minted parents. Naturally, they took to Facebook to brag about their new arrival (new parents – amiright?) However, along with the traditional “She’s Here!” post, they added a less traditional Open Letter to their daughter in which they pledge to save the world for Max and her generation:
Along with the birth announcement — which included a sweet photo of the new family of three — the proud new parents announced the foundation of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, an organization with the mission to advance human potential and promote equality. In an open letter to their little one, the couple revealed they will contribute 99 percent of their Facebook shares — currently worth about $45 billion — during their lives to advance the cause, in addition to outlining their hopes for Max’s future.
Let’s get the superficial out of the way: Max. I love it – boy or girl. Do you think that’s it? Not a nickname? Do you think she is a Chan or a Zuckerberg? Both work really well but Max Chan is a great name, sounds like a Private Eye. Likely it will be a hyphen of the two names.
As for that other part, the part where the Chan Zuckerbergs save the world.
You can read the whole Open Letter to Max here. It’s beautifully discusses how they see the Initiative’s mission “to advance human potential and promote equality“ and the reasons they have focused on those two principles.
One thing stressed throughout the passionate letter is that they are using their experiences (and likely his association with the Gates and their philanthropic endeavors) to identify the problems that plague children. More so, they stress repeatedly that they are still figuring this out and will continue to determine how best to meet their goals throughout this journey as well as making sure their goals are what Max’s generation needs:
It will take many years to fully develop this model. But it’s another example of how advancing human potential and promoting equality are tightly linked. If we want either, we must first build inclusive and healthy communities.
I think Mark really took the Newark Public School situation to heart. I believe he is admitting he has learned that money actually can’t fix everything and in addition to pledging these funds, they are also pledging to spend the money prudently. I like that. I like billionaires saying they have learned from their mistakes. I like them admitting they don’t have all the answers and will seek out those best to educate them.
