My Commitment to Justice, Equity, Inclusion, Diversity & Antiracism

I am committed to justice, equity, inclusion, diversity and antiracism. More specifically, I believe in fostering an authentic sense of belonging through the diversity of thoughts, ideas, beliefs, experiences, and the inclusion and equality of all people with regard to their gender identity, race, color, sexual orientation, language, national origin, religion, disability, or age.

I commit to proactively opposing and not tolerating racism and discrimination and promoting justice, equity, inclusion, diversity and belonging. I commit to maintaining an environment where all employees, clients, partners, and friends know they are loved and valued for their individuality, including gender identity, race, color, sexual orientation, language, national origin, religion, disability, or age.

I acknowledge that racism and discrimination can be unconscious, implicit, or unintentional, and I commit to taking ownership of and responsibility for any negative impacts. I believe it’s not enough to have good intentions; I commit to improving my own awareness of and take accountability for the impact of my words. I commit to purposefully identify, discuss and challenge issues of justice, equity, inclusion, diversity and racism and the impacts they have on my global community and business (Bright Space Coaching, LLC).

My goal is to create and maintain an environment where everyone feels safe to live and discuss their gender identity, race, color, sexual orientation, language, national origin, religion, disability, or age and the importance each has on our shared community.

I am deeply committed to and will continue to purposefully discuss and deepen my own knowledge, understanding, and commitment to justice, equity, inclusion, diversity and antiracism. I strive every day to do better and to be a better ally to foster an authentic sense of belonging for all.

My Anti-Racism Plan

While I’m not new to social justice education and gender equity activism, I know I still have A LOT of work to do to create a truly anti-racist organization and community. And, I know this is a lifetime effort. I’m not here to post a black square or random hashtag on Instagram and call it a day - I’m ready to do the work and take aligned action.

Some of these things are practices I’ve already been doing, but others are things that are new to me. Here are the steps I will personally be taking:

1. I will continue reading, following, and learning from BIPOC authors, creators, and educators (about all topics, not just social justice). I’ll also continue to consciously consume media content from BIPOC creators, rather than content that only centers white voices. This is something I’ve personally been conscious of over the last few years, and I plan to make an even stronger effort to seek out BIPOC voices.

2. I will be conscious of where my personal spending is going. If there is a BIPOC-owned alternative to something I want to purchase, I will take the time to do my research and purchase from BIPOC-owned companies. I realize it’s a luxury and a privilege to take the easy road and buy from Amazon. Websites that will facilitate this process are: WeBuyBlack, The Black Wallet, Five Fifths, and Official Black Wall Street.

3. I will continue to have uncomfortable conversations with family, friends, and strangers if I come across something that I feel is racist or biased.

4. My preferred gender pronouns have been added to my website, email signature, and social media profiles. While this isn’t explicitly an anti-racist strategy, it’s an important step to creating an environment of inclusion and belonging, especially as it relates to intersectionality.

5. I will not speak at an event (digital or in-person) that doesn’t make a significant effort to highlight BIPOC voices. If I am asked to speak at an event that doesn’t highlight BIPOC voices, I will educate the event host about why I am declining their offer and how they can do better. 

6. I will continue to prioritize hiring BIPOC women and BIPOC owned- or led-businesses. While I don’t currently have any employees, I do prioritize purchasing services (e.g. photography, graphic design, stock images) from BIPOC and women business owners. Over the last few years, I’ve been grateful to work with the amazing women at Styled Stock Society, Blue Check Marketing Studio, Shala W. Graham Photography, The Branding Babe, Laurentina Photography, Nicole Yang Design, and Erika Holmes. As my company grows and I hire additional contractors or employees, I commit to continuing to prioritize hiring BIPOC women.

7. I will continue to use my platform to speak about social justice on an ongoing basis, especially as it pertains to gender equity, anti-racism and oppression. I will focus on including data on the global gender gap for all BIPOC women, not just data on white women or averages of all races. We will not have gender equity until we have racial equity. I will prioritize listening and learning before contributing to the conversation.

8. I will continue learning how I can create an inclusive, culturally sensitive environment that embraces the nuances of diversity instead of leading from an unconscious lens. I will continue to refer to Trudi LeBron’s “Show Up and Serve for White Coaches,” and Rachel Ricketts’ “Spiritual Activism 101 + 102” to assist me in this, as well as seek out training and education from BIPOC educators.

9. I will continue to support organizations that work to improve the lives of BIPOC with my time, talents, and treasure. I currently support Women for Women International and Empowered Women International and have recently included the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund to my personal monthly donations.

10. I will expand my Woman for Woman mission to include scholarships for online courses, workshops, or other coaching programs. Scholarships will enable more women from around the world to participate in the programs and resources that will help them find and live their purpose. While I’m not currently taking on any new 1:1 clients, online courses, workshops, and other resources are in development.

This is my commitment to you if you’re a woman who has experienced racism and oppression her entire life. I’m determined to learn, listen, and do better. I see you, and I stand beside and behind you.

If you’re new to antiracism and experiencing the collective awakening, I hope you’ll join me in learning from BIPOC educators and listening to your BIPOC friends and colleagues.

“Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” - Fannie Lou Hamer

We’re all in this together.