| Hello and welcome to this special revisited episode of a conversation I had a year ago with Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin, titled "Intersectionality and The Age of the New Heroine.” This episode was one of my most impactful conversations and one that set me on my own heroine's journey to use my voice and leadership in new ways.
So much has happened since that conversation. Sparked by that episode, and the horror of the Charlottesville Rally that took place a few weeks later, I launched the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative and held a series of interviews on the subject of anti-racism and police brutality. I hosted an Impact Circle with other mothers where we made commitments to step into more action and raised dollars and awareness for the groundbreaking work of Mothers Against Police Brutality.
I kept taking steps, one after the other.. Elizabeth invited me to speak about this work and my journey on a panel at her Gaia Women Lead Conference, and a week later, I witnessed the story of Laurie Valdez and other women who have lost loved ones to police brutality in the powerful play (M)others. The last few months brought me to a Father’s Day special episode with Assemblymember Rob Bonta on the podcast where we talked about his commitment to this issue and I began working with the play (M)others’ producer to bring the play to Sacramento ahead of key votes on critical police accountability bills in CA SB-1421 and AB-931. Along the way, messages from my conversation with Elizabeth have taken on deeper meaning, I've learned powerful lessons from incredible guides, and experienced signs and synchronicities that help me realize I’m moving forward on an aligned and purposeful path. So, it also felt right at this full circle moment to re-release the episode with a new introduction with reflections a year in, and a new dedication provided by one of my guides, activist, coach, speaker and now co-host of the new Families Fighting Mass Incarceration Podcast, Chandra Brooks. In this new introduction, I share five lessons I’ve learned over the last year as I moved into anti-racism and police accountability advocacy:
Lesson #1 - Be willing to hold discomfort and a growth mindset
Lesson #2 - Move from guilt into responsibility and action
Lesson #3 - Raise your awareness and bear witness to the impact of police brutality
Lesson #4 - Open yourself to signs and synchronicities on the journey
Lesson #5 - Choose to answer the call
If there is a cause that is calling to you, but you haven't yet answered it, consider this post your cosmic nudge to take your first few steps, find your guides, and trust that you can make a difference. And, if making a difference on the issue of police brutality is one that has been calling you, but you didn't know how you could help...there is an opportunity in CA RIGHT NOW that needs every soul who is willing...  ✨To support bringing (M)others to Sacramento through contributing money to and sharing the GoFundMe page (linked below). Though we reached out initial fundraising goal, additional funds will enable the play’s producer to bring (M)others to other cities in CA.
 ✨To reach out to CA lawmakers to urge them to vote yes on AB 931 and SB 1421; and,
 ✨To urge lawmakers and those you know in Sacramento to attend the play on August 13th or August 16th and witness the powerful (M)others stories that need to be heard.
Along this journey, I took a class called Diversity is an Asset with Desiree Adaway and Jessica Fish. One of the points that Desiree drives home at the end of every call is that none of us can truly be free until all of us are free. I hope these reflections and the episode to follow from Elizabeth inspires you to step from guilt and helplessness into action, into your own heroine’s journey, and to working toward freedom for all of us. |