You Belong Here

Stretch

We’ve arrived at the start of an important weekend. Monday marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and it is also the weekend leading into the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. For many, this weekend brings a range of emotions: apprehension, anxiety, and uncertainty about the future. Will this new administration act on its stated intent to bring Project 2025 to life? What does safety look like for marginalized and oppressed groups in this country? How will we navigate systematic and strategic oppression under an administration rooted in European-American male dominance and Christian nationalism?

These questions are big and daunting, and I won’t pretend to have all the answers. But if you’re feeling afraid or unsure during this time, I want you to remember one thing: You are not alone, and we are in this together.

Now is not the time to stand by and let things unfold. If you’re uncertain about how to advocate for others and yourself, here are a few suggestions:

• Continue to educate yourself and others: Stay informed about issues impacting marginalized communities through credible sources and firsthand accounts.

• Use your voice: Speak out against injustice wherever you encounter it—in conversations, online spaces, or public forums.

• Advocate civically: Attend town halls, protests, and community meetings to push for meaningful change.

• Practice consistent allyship: Show up for oppressed communities by attending events, supporting their leaders, and listening to their needs.

• Sustain community: Build mutual aid networks to directly support those most affected by systemic oppression.

• Care for yourself: Advocacy is demanding work. Prioritize your well-being to sustain your efforts over the long haul.

The last point is particularly important. Too often, people passionate about social justice and advocacy try to pour from empty cups. The work ahead of us—just as it always has been—is a marathon, not a sprint. Committing to care for yourself so you can care for others is an act of resistance in itself.

As these newsletters evolve alongside the shifting political climate and social justice landscape, I am committed to offering guidance and support to help you show up for both yourself and your community.

This weekend, I hope you do something restorative, relaxing, and grounding. Remember: You are not alone, and we are in this together.

Always,
Jaya

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DEI Backlash Survivors Group

Yesterday I had the opportunity to join Dr. Heliana Ramirez and Michael Thornhill as we shared the DEI Backlash Survivors Group. This group is designed to support BIPOC individuals who were fired or forced out of DEI or DEI-adjacent roles and in the aftermath, experienced exhaustion, emotional depletion, or sickness from stress-related illness.

This is a one-of-a-kind, trauma-informed, and neuroscience-based cohort coaching program that will allow you to make sense of what happened. It is a wonderful opportunity to turn your DEI workplace trauma into professional posttraumatic growth. I am honored to be serving as a facilitator of this program, specifically supporting Women of Color.

You can learn more on Dr. Ramirez’s website below and book an Intake Call with Dr. Ramirez by clicking below.

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