We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jeri Perkins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jeri, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Any advice for creating a more inclusive workplace?
Valuing differences is they key to creating inclusive workplace environments. Every person and individual is different and what makes them unique is a strength and not a deficit. Person-first language acknowledges the individual first. Therefore, to create a sense of belonging in the workplace the environment needs to be accessible to all individuals. Thus, creating a workplace culture that employees can navigate safely and with confidence is essential. Furthermore, interns at practicum sites and employees alike should not have to navigate the workplace in fear or threat of retaliation for defying the status quo. Lastly, conflict resolution will always be feasible in work place environments where peoples difference are appreciated.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a narrative changer, trailblazer and visionary. My work centers the experiences of students and scholars of color navigating academia as well as professionals of color navigating workplace settings. The mission and vision of my work is to “Educate to Liberate,” by providing students and professionals of color with access to resources to learn how to navigate systemic and institutionalized racism and oppression, power dynamics and conflict resolution safely and with confidence. We do so through one-one and group coaching, trainings, workshops, and speaking engagement services that emphasize resiliency and culture as a strength and protective factor.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Yes, there are! Although these books do not directly relate to entrepreneurial thinking they serve as a guiding light in the cultivation of ideologies that governs my personal and professional ethics and value-system that I stand by in academic workplace, and professional settings. For example: Dr. Mary-Frances Winters, “Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body and Spirit,” Marita Golden’s, “The Strong Black Woman: How a Myth Endangers the Mental and Physical Health of Black Women,” and “The New Black Woman: Loves Herself, Has Boundaries and Heals Everyday,” sheds light on how systemic and institutionalized racism and oppression negatively impact access to Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) which are predicators of quality of life outcomes. These books embody my organization’s theme “Educate to Liberate.” The pathway to liberation is education because when you educate your mind, you liberate your body and spirit.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I appreciate this question because it gives me an opportunity to keep it real. At 27 years old I am blessed to have a Bachelor’s of Science in Journalism from the illustrious Lincoln University (MO), my Historically Black College & University (HBCU) that grew me during my undergraduate experience. In addition, I survived the sun and the devil while earning a Master’s of Social Work at Predominately White Institution (PWI) Arizona State University’s Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions. My beloved mother Michele Denee Perkins and father Jerry Lee Perkins is who raised me into the Narrative Changer, Trailblazer and Visionary that I am today. In the words of Malala, “Silent women seldom make history.” The system of higher education and institution of academia is what influenced my educational and career pursuits. Despite growing up in predominately white spaces while identifying as a Black/African American young woman I view culture as a strength and not a deficit and resiliency as the greatest protective factor that my ancestors gave me.
However, I would be remised if I did not pay tribute to those who run their mouths, talk their shit, fail to show up while i show out, and try to silences me into the good little colored girl they desire. Sadly, this type of treatment is not just racism and oppression it is internalized racism and oppression. Unfortunately I have had elders and so called mentors of all genders, nationalities, religious beliefs, ages and stages and Socioeconomic Status (SES) attempt to sensor me and the work that I do out of fear that it will defy the status quo and disrupt the isms that serve as indicators of power dynamics in our society. Sadly, I have had elders and mentors alike tell me to “Wait my turn, Due my time, Pay my dues, and Nobody owes me anything.” The last saying, is my personal favorite because see my ancestors did not owe me anything however, they fought, died, sacrificed their lives, peace, happiness, and freedom so that the generations who came after them had an opportunity to use education as the pathway to liberation. So, see I firmly believe that I owe my future children and generations EVERYTHING because if my ancestors did not sacrifice their lives I would not have the opportunity to be FREE and LIFT as I CLIMB!!!
Despite HATERS attempts to DIMISH my LIGHT I STILL RISE like the FOUNDING MOTHERS AND FATHERS of my Black/African American community ROSE BEFORE ME!!! I display RESLIENT COURAGE because at the intersection or race/ethnicity, gender, and SES I have experienced, “Different levels of privilege and different levels of oppression.”
That is why I create my own NARRATIVE! Blaze my own Trail! Define my vision for. the future!
#NarrativeChanger #TrailBlazer #Visionary
Contact Info:
- Website: www.impactactionnetwork.com
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Image Credits
@Heather Nelson Photography