Could you tell us a bit about your work at Girls for Gender Equality?
I was a Communications Strategist, assisting GGE in educating the media, lawmakers, and the general public on their work. GGE is dedicated to improving the quality of life for cis and trans girls as well as gender nonconforming, and queer youth ages 18 to 25 – GGE also intentionally centers black girls in the present day movements for gender and racial equity.
Could you talk about the work Girls for Gender Equity is doing to make NYC schools more welcoming to girls, transgender, and non-conforming youth?
Last year, we launched a campaign called Schools Girls Deserve, which aims to create happier, healthier, and safer school environments in the city. One issue we specifically focused on was the failure of teachers and school officials to respond to cases of sexual assault. Currently, there is only one Title 9 coordinator for the 1.1 million students in NYC. Not only do Title 9 coordinators work on cases of sexual assault, they also ensure gender equity in school funding and activities. For example, Title 9 coordinators ensure there is a girls basketball team when the school already has one for boys. Our campaign aimed to increase the number of coordinators to 7. In large part due to our campaign, increased funding for new coordinators was passed in the most recent City Council Budget.
Do you have any advice for how a young person can support Girls for Gender Equality or other similar groups working to empower women?
Often, one might think they need to create their own advocacy group but make sure to pay attention to who is already doing work in your community and what financial resources or volunteers are needed. If you do form a group, always consider collaboration with other organizations – collaboration is one reason GGE has been around for 16 years.
There are not a lot of spaces where millennials are engaged in conversations regarding parenting and I think the voice of someone with experience can provide a valuable perspective.
You are not only a Communications professional but also a columnist for Slate Magazine. What topics do you typically write about and are there any columns coming up that young people especially should read?
I write a parenting advice column that deals with issues such as co-parenting within the scope of race and gender. I think my column is worth checking out for those who are thinking about parenting or have even minor interest. There are not a lot of spaces where millennials are engaged in conversations regarding parenting and I think the voice of someone with experience can provide a valuable perspective. You can check out my column here.
Another column I wrote was on how I left my nine to five job at a digital media campaign to take on a role with Cynthia Nixon’s campaign. It has powerful insights on figuring out one’s next career move and finding personal happiness during it.
I also wrote a column about Toni Morrison on how I was affected by her writing that you can check out here.
As well, you also are a public speaker. How did you find your own voice and do you have any advice for how a young person can gain more confidence in their own voice?
It’s important to take your time and get out there and practice. Before paid speaking circuits and starting a formal relationship with a speaking agency, there will be plenty of unpaid opportunities. You should consider who you are representing through your own voice. My speaking topics are informed by my work so I know that I can speak to perspectives that are not uncommon. Often, many public speakers become public speakers due to the work they were intensely engaged in before.
Finally, how are you going to change the world next?
Next month, I’m moving to LA to pursue a career in television writing. It’s a huge leap of faith but I think people will enjoy the script for a pilot I’ve written. It’s a comedy – there should be more black women writing comedies. The show will focus on certain topics including millennial parenting, co-parenting, sex, cannabis, and other issues that need a higher level of examination. I hope you check it out and you can follow the rest of my journey on Patreon and via my social channels.