Some of you will never understand the amount of skill needed to be cordial to people you genuinely do not like. And I am not talking about being the "bigger person". But navigating life as a Black woman in any systematically racist environment. There is no medal, no trophy, no badge, no parade …. it is just a known, unknown skill set that many of us have, extensively use, and sometimes despise. It is deeper than "grin and bear it", and more hidden than, "seeing the glass half full". It helps us survive, pushes fear to the side and helps us move forward with our own purpose. Being cordial in a systemically racist environment takes skill...but is it necessary?

In honor of the Tokyo Olympics (that just ended yesterday), I would like to personally recognize those of us that have mastered the skill of being cordial in the worse situations. We are all deserving of gold medals and will forever be in first place.

Kulture Karisma

One of the many things I've learned during the pandemic is the importance of pursuing my goals, no matter the challenges, despite what others think and regardless of the ill will of haters. 

I would often blame my previous employers for sabotaging my growth opportunities. But over the past year I’ve realized that I was in fact sabotaging myself by staying and believing that I was only worth what they offered. These organizations did not deserve my talents, my knowledge, my skills, my potential, or my dreams. Despite my recognition of the unequal relationships, I had between my former employers, I remained grateful for the opportunity to learn these life lessons. But even with lessons, we must know when to let go, and grow.

I would often think that having non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and having to incorporate treatment into my work schedule, would foreshadow everything I've brought to the table. But interestingly I was sometimes treated with hate, jealousy, discrimination, harassment, and envy. I couldn’t quite understand why people would be so intimidated by me, the worker that leaves early and often for NHL treatments. But it finally clicked during the pandemic, as I had time to reset, that despite all the challenges I’ve seen in myself, those people were being blinded by my resilience, knowledge, strength, determination, and potential. In other words, the haters could care less about my medical diagnosis, I was a threat...period. 

I stepped out on faith during a pandemic and decided to pursue some of my goals. It just felt right, scary, but right. I wrote and self-published my first book, created my own businesses, continued to pursue my Doctoral degree, started a fellowship, and just started being the best version of myself! Yes, there have been roadblocks, challenges, visits to the ER, melt downs, headaches, etc. But I managed to still pursue things that make me happy as a person. I’ve learned when to say “NO”, when to say “Yes” and when to rest.

My goal in life has never been to become a millionaire and travel to space. I want to be a change agent that makes a difference not just in my life but the lives of others. I’ve earned the opportunities to do everything I dreamed of and more, without fame or fortune. Changing the world isn’t always done with physical contributions. Sometimes it takes strong voices, believers, and good troublemakers, just look at some of the many historical voices of change like Fannie Lou Hammer, Shirley Chisholm, and Ida B. Wells.

I still have more dreams, goals, and moves to make, but the difference between now and everything before the pandemic is my vision is getting clearer, my confidence is stronger, my humility stays constant, and my empathy never alters. I no longer wish for a seat; I’ve made my own table.

-Kulture Karisma
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​For those of you that are baffled about the fight for $15 minimum wage, just remember that every day there's a Black woman at your job that is earning thousands of dollars less at her job in comparison to her white colleagues in the exact same position.

I am happy a national light is showing pay disparities in our country. But after the topic becomes unpopular in the news cycle, there will still be pay disparities in the workforce...
What are you prepared to do?

I've personally fought for equal pay, written letters to elected officials, and taken a stand for what I feel is not fair. I am personally tired of being the most qualified, educated and fit for a position but receiving the smallest salary. I am tired of organizations rewarding employees with promotions/raises based on comradery and not skill set. 

Knowing your value is key to never settling for lies as to why you can't have more money. 

- Kulture Karisma