Being Your Authentic Self: Chayse’s Perspective

We took the time to interview some of our team about who they are and what brought them to this work. We will amplify diverse narratives from their perspective and in their voices. Join us as we shift mindsets by disrupting social norms.

Who are you?

Who I am depends on who you ask. At Diversity Talks, I’m a Program Coordinator. To our youth, I’m an Auntie with a love for public speaking games. To the white men I’ve worked with in academia, I’m a bull in a china shop. But if you ask me, I’m still not sure but I would like to one day be someone who puts a little good in this world.

What was going on around you that led you to this work?

It was naive of me to think that living outside of the United States would shelter me from racism and trauma but I still tried to outrun it. As I continued to try to navigate the world as a young black woman, hungry for experience, it became obvious that I should have actually listened to the things my Auntie warned me about. As I grappled with my own blackness, and proximity to white privilege, I watched other black lives unravel in unspeakable, often violent, ways. How could I just ignore that?

How would you describe Diversity Talks approach to disrupting social norms and dismantling systems of oppression? What makes our work special?

When you look at board social change goals it can be overwhelming. Steering a culturally competent ship doesn’t come with complete instructions and I would often find myself saying, “that’s nice, but how?” The Diversity Talks approach answers this — it is a celebration of connection, intersection, and cultural appreciation. The work at Diversity Talks is so special because we focus on the every day effort — the victories, the losses, the little moments of growth. Through individual empowerment blossoms communal change and Diversity Talks only ever asks that you bring your authentic self and embrace the uncomfortable.

As part of the Diversity Talks team, what gives you hope for the future of our society?

The youth I have the privilege of working alongside inspire me every day. They truly leave me in awe as I watch them reclaim their power and find their unapologetic voices. It’s a shame that they are so underestimated and under-appreciated, but even then they don’t let that stop them.