Building Bridges in the Face of Backlash
Moving Forward Together with Strategy, Resilience, and Love
The fight for equity and inclusion has never been easy. Today, as we face deliberate rollbacks on critical programs and the targeting of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, we’re reminded just how much work lies ahead. These attacks aren’t random. They’re calculated attempts to erase progress, silence marginalized voices, and dismantle the systems that empower Black communities.
We see it happening all around us: bans on Black Lives Matter flags in classrooms, the removal of the Tuskegee Airmen and other essential stories from curriculums, companies scaling back their DEI programs, and even the federal government refusing to acknowledge Black History Month. These actions are not isolated — they’re part of a larger strategy to diminish our voices and discredit our progress.
As if these systemic challenges weren’t enough, personal attacks have also entered the fray. Recently, individuals have gone out of their way to spread lies about me, attempting to distract and derail the work I’m doing. These actions are deeply frustrating, but they are not surprising. Efforts to divide and discredit leaders are as old as the fight for equity itself. I pity those who choose destruction over building something meaningful, and I pray for them because their energy is being spent tearing others down instead of creating solutions.
Some have even criticized us for moving too slowly, but I know this work is not about speed — it’s about strategy. Quick reactions might feel satisfying in the moment, but they don’t create the sustainable systems we need to endure. Everything I’ve learned in this work reminds me that lasting change requires intentionality, focus, and the courage to think beyond the immediate moment.
Angela Davis said it best: “Walls turned sideways are bridges.” When faced with the walls designed to divide us, we have the power to transform them into pathways of connection, empowerment, and progress. But this transformation requires deliberate action — it requires strategy.
And as Susan L. Taylor reminds us, “This is not the rough side of the mountain.” Our ancestors endured far worse with far fewer resources, yet they thrived. Their strength and resilience live in us, reminding us that we are capable of enduring this moment and moving forward with purpose.
This is why strategy is so essential. The attacks we’re facing are not just about silencing us today — they’re designed to dismantle the systems that sustain us for the future. Our response cannot be reactionary. We must focus on building systems of our own — strong, intentional, and sustainable structures that create opportunities and protect our communities from future attempts to erase us.
Part of that strategy is investing in ourselves. Buying Black and building Black aren’t just symbolic acts; they are acts of empowerment. Supporting Black businesses, creators, nonprofits, and innovators is a way to build generational wealth, strengthen our communities, and ensure that progress continues regardless of external challenges.
I am committed to doing my part. Each week, I’ll be highlighting a Black-owned business, product, creator, or nonprofit that’s actively investing in our communities. These are the stories we must amplify. These are the people we must uplift.
This work is deeply personal for me. As a mother, I think every day about the world I want to leave for my sons. I want them to grow up in a society that values their contributions, recognizes their humanity, and equips them to thrive. I want them to see that when we move with purpose and intention, we can overcome even the most calculated attempts to hold us back.
For those of you feeling frustrated or defeated — I see you, and I hear you. But let’s not lose sight of what truly matters. This is the time to double down on our commitment to equity, justice, and community. It’s the time to remind ourselves why we’re here and who we’re fighting for.
Love is my superpower, and it fuels my belief in a better world — a world we can build together. So let’s stay focused, stay strategic, and keep building the bridges that will carry us forward.
