Advocacy: The Know-How

I was taught how important advocacy was early in life! Taking a stand for yourself and those who follow behind you matters.

Over the span of my career and personal life, I've mastered that craft, advocating for many reasons and achieving different outcomes, often benefiting others more than myself.

Advocacy runs through my family's history, from my mother's participation in civil rights marches and membership in the Black Panther Party to my grandfather's service in World War II. I have also faced my own battles against prejudice and for equal opportunity.

Know what your fight is. Know who benefits and who may suffer. Offer others the opportunity to join your cause. Gather testimonials from people who have faced similar challenges. Understand how your presentation, accountability, ethics, and integrity can affect the outcome. And practice empathy, because putting yourself in someone else's situation develops compassion.

Advocacy is not always about winning the fight for yourself. Sometimes, it is about making the path easier for someone who comes after you. Your voice may be the very thing that gives someone else the courage to use theirs. Never underestimate the difference one person can make by choosing to stand up, speak out, and advocate for change.