Recently, I came across this quote by Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison that reminded me so much of our work at The Oakland REACH:
“If you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.”
This is the work I’ve always dreamt of doing. If you’re wondering why, the answer is simple — growing up, my Mom had bigger dreams for me than she had for herself. She made education the most important thing in my life. She cared for me. She loved me. She freed me. She empowered me. And now, it’s my mission to do the same for others.
Take a few minutes to watch this video and hear me tell my story:
As we honor Black History Month, I’m reminded that this isn’t a new fight. In fact, it’s a battle we’ve been in for far too long. But, at the same time, I recognize the wins REACH has earned mean the work we’re doing is making a difference.
We’re building toward a better, bolder, and more abundant future. By focusing on that goal, we’re not just celebrating Black history — we’re making it.