Mask Off: How Our Pain Can Fuel Our Purpose
Empowering|Valuing|Thriving
It started in elementary school where I cracked the code of who was valued and seen and who was not. See a talkative, opinionated, and a work in progress student like myself did not fit the description. During this time, I struggled between trying to conform to the standard or being me. I went back and forth daily, but I desired heavily to be valued by the adults around me. Transitioning to high school, I mastered the art of conformity. If I am quiet, smart, walked in a straight line, and disregarded all of those traits I was born with, then my teachers would accept me. Acceptance also meant being considered for opportunities. While it worked, my confidence decreased and I was losing a sense of self.
Fast forward to college and attending a PWI (Predominately White Institution), I walked around for 4 years assimilating under strong anxiety of making sure I did not behave the way Black people were perceived. Little did I know this anxiety turned into perfectionism, which caused me to second guess myself, not take risks, and focus on following the “rules” perfectly.
Then, I decided…#maskoff. I wanted the mask off! I am opinionated, I love Black culture, and I love being a symbol of Black Girl Joy! What I also love is social justice for people who look like me. Couple those things, I learned that leadership spaces owned by people who 1) did not look like me 2) did not have the same cultural background as I did were not so receptive to these things and I experienced The Pushout.
Now, I have turned my pain into my passion by drawing awareness and support to organizations that aim to have Black leaders and children as a part of their work, but do not know how to cultivate spaces for them to thrive. It’s an easy formula that I’ve coined Empowering+Valuing=Thriving.
My work is for organizations committed to anti-racism and who are willing to do the hard work necessary to support their leaders and children of color. When Black people feel seen, heard, and invested in, there is no stopping the magic, which will transpire!
If my story resonates with you because you would like to create equitable spaces for your Black Children who are in spaces where they are the only ones, experiencing confidence and identity issues, OR you would like to ensure your Black leaders have as many resources as they need for success, let’s work together to realize this dream of a just world.
xo, Rosalind
