WEBVTT

00:00:04.129 --> 00:00:06.923
We all have, if not ourselves,

00:00:06.923 --> 00:00:09.926
someone who has struggled at some point.

00:00:10.635 --> 00:00:12.971
Sharing about your challenges

00:00:12.971 --> 00:00:15.974
helps reduce the stigma around it.

00:00:16.516 --> 00:00:18.435
I took a leap of faith and just said,

00:00:18.435 --> 00:00:21.438
one of my identities is that I have ADHD.

00:00:22.105 --> 00:00:26.860
I have been lonely in a full room
for a long time.

00:00:27.444 --> 00:00:30.530
To be the only black woman in the room,
it's hard.

00:00:30.947 --> 00:00:35.368
I'm the first person in my family
to have education after the age of 16.

00:00:35.994 --> 00:00:39.205
It took me many years before
I really felt I could

00:00:39.205 --> 00:00:41.750
bring my whole self to work.

00:00:42.083 --> 00:00:43.960
Allyship to me means

00:00:43.960 --> 00:00:45.670
being purposeful and intentional,

00:00:45.670 --> 00:00:47.047
taking action.

00:00:47.505 --> 00:00:50.300
It's about
doing the right thing day in, day out.

00:00:51.092 --> 00:00:54.095
It gives people permission
to be themselves.

00:00:54.804 --> 00:00:58.850
When people are having conversations,
instead of everybody just trying to hide

00:00:58.850 --> 00:01:03.396
who they are, now people can start
getting curious, learn on their own,

00:01:03.772 --> 00:01:06.775
and then be able to lend a hand
when the situation presents itself.

00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:10.653
If we get one type of person,
one perspective,

00:01:11.112 --> 00:01:13.656
we miss a great deal in solving problems.

00:01:13.656 --> 00:01:16.242
Being an ally starts in myself first.

00:01:16.242 --> 00:01:18.453
If we're not working for equity,

00:01:18.453 --> 00:01:21.790
then we are squandering
the greatest resource

00:01:21.790 --> 00:01:24.042
there is in the world,
which is human potential.