The news is out! I am joining my first national non-profit board!
As a young entrepreneur, I have been following @Futurpreneur and all their amazing work. I am so happy to join a board where I can bring my lived experience to support and remove barriers https://twitter.com/Futurpreneur/status/1286398649786871809

I admit I was nervous about joining. There are a few young people, especially young people of colour, that sit on boards especially for an organization of this size, scale and budget.
I knew I had the expertise to give back yet questioned whether I could give insightful feedback

Why do I share this? At the intersection of being Black, young and a woman, society devalues our lived experience and expertise. I faintly listened to what I have been conditioned to believe.

Your voice is needed and can bring a new important perspective.

In my @helpinghands presentations, I try empowering youth by sharing stories of my success and failures. In high school, a motto of mine was "Do not let options and opportunities open doors to you, but capitalize upon them yourself."

I hope that that young people who see a vacant board spot for an organization that they admire will throw their hat in the ring.
It is especially important when you represent the target market. https://twitter.com/MobileAppQueen/status/1273611958990897152

I have been fortunate. Already had my first Board meeting as well as a meeting w/ executive staff to relay some of the insights I shared with the board.
They actively listened to my concerns. As a Board member, I feel empowered to know my suggestions are not being disregarded.

I feel grateful knowing that I can act upon some of the concerns I have heard in my pro bono work with young entrepreneurs. With access to funding as one of the biggest startup issues, especially for disadvantaged individuals, the work @Futurpreneur is doing is so important.

I would like to thank @KarenGreveYoung for reaching out to me multiple times. Knowing what an advocate she was, made me feel comfortable this role would be a great fit for everything I want to achieve. The world needs more leaders with her tenacity and dedication for change.