I am a woman uninterrupted.
I celebrate 5 years at Microsoft this month and I have stretched more than I have ever thought possible. I have had a chance to be mentored by amazing individuals who have challenged me to consistently reevaluate my own status quo to push and test myself prompting even more growth that I may have felt I was capable of attaining.
We are at an interesting crossroads at this time where we are all confronted with who we are as individuals and as humans. Norms and standards that we may have become accustomed to are in question and we find ourselves asking who am I , what is it I stand for and what am I willing to sacrifice. We are willing to DIE for the right but what does it mean to LIVE for that right and how do you show up – provided you know how to show up.
I am a black woman who came from immigrant parents. They left Haiti to pursue life in the United States. My family’s immigration story is similar to many others you have heard, they came here seeking for a better life for the family they were hoping to have. They encountered their share of racism and they did the best they could to be examples and provide for their small family. As a result of these sweet people, I am blessed and fortunate to attend high school and obtain a degree and credentials. I have been lucky to surround myself with people who SAW my melanin-rich hue and potential and embraced that by either helping me follow in their footsteps or partnered with me to carve a path so others can follow in mine.
The fabric of my life is woven with a rich ancestral heritage, a deep spiritual connection to God and the many threads of people who agree with my perspectives but more importantly those who don’t but help define who I am.
I have seen the ugly face of racism, sexism and unfortunately still see it today as it is proliferated in our society. I have also seen those who will walk beside me and internally rage at a system who has chosen to see my melanin-rich hue as a reason to doubt my ability or experience and take a step in front of me to ensure that the path I am on is uninterrupted.
Perhaps Charles Dickens meant this for this time : “ They were the best of times; they were the worst of times. “
I am glad to see the increase in awareness in the inequality that has been seeded in the roots of our history and authentically try to see how this can change. This is not an easy journey and will require time and serious effort. I am hopeful and encouraged. I am still impacted by the actions of others and this impact translates in my having to change what my days look like when I leave the house whether I am out for a run or out running errands.
I look forward to the day where I don’t have to where my GoPro jogging or think about what I am wearing and ask myself “ Do I look threatening” .
I look forward where history is truly representative of what happened and not what the victors wanted communicated.
I am glad to live in a time where this battle is shared by a community that doesn’t look only like me. Today they fight for me and tomorrow I fight for them. But TOGETHER we fight!
I love working for Microsoft. They have facilitated this microcosm of what my day-to-day world looks like and I want that to be a representation of a world outside of my microcosm.
As I grow and evolve, I see MS growing and evolving and working to meet me where I am at and provide a way for me to get to where I want to be.
This is a great company. We have our warts! I won’t excuse or downplay mistakes, missed opportunities and just downright bad decisions. But I truly believe that we are trying to make the changes to embrace our vision of “empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.” I REALLY honestly believe this and am doing what I can to make this vision a reality.
Grateful for my support crew who not only provide perspective and guidance but are always willing to travel the road I am on to understand my lived experience for solidarity. They do not make this moment feel like a trend but a part of their lived experience.
I am a woman .. uninterrupted!
Thank you Microsoft for a great 5 year … let’s see what the next 5 will bring!
