We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Saxe Speaks. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Saxe below.

Hi Saxe, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents gave me the gift of having a voice at a very young age. They didn’t just allow me to speak, they listened. They encouraged me to ask questions, share opinions, and make decisions, even when I was still learning how to navigate the world. That kind of trust built a foundation of confidence and self-awareness that followed me into adulthood. It taught me the value of using my voice with intention and integrity, not just for myself, but for others who may not always have the opportunity or platform to be heard.

Some might say I had that freedom because I was the youngest and my parents were simply tired by the time I came along. But I like to think they also recognized early on that I had a sense of discernment and good judgment; a curiosity about people and an instinct for fairness. Those qualities have guided me ever since. They’ve shaped how I lead, how I collaborate, and how I show up in every space I’m part of.

Today, that early lesson in self-expression has evolved into a commitment to creating spaces where others can be seen and heard. I find deep fulfillment in building platforms for people who are often known only for what they do, the quiet doers, the builders, the ones who keep things moving, to step into the light and share the “why” and “how” behind their work. In many ways, that’s the continuation of what my parents started: teaching me that every voice matters, and that creating space for those voices can change how we understand one another.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve always been a lifer when it comes to doing the work and by work, I mean being the change I wish to see in the world. From a young age, I’ve believed in showing up, lending a hand, and investing in the causes and communities that matter. I’ve volunteered countless hours with nonprofits whose missions I deeply believed in, and I’ve built a career working for organizations that aligned with my values. Through that experience, I gained an unfiltered view of how things really work, the gaps, the silences, the needs that go unseen, and the extraordinary people behind the scenes making everyday life possible.

Somewhere along the way, I realized I was one of those people; the quiet doers helping to make things happen. That realization inspired me to share more stories like ours. One day, on a whim, I applied to be a fellow with a major organization that spotlighted speakers from around the world. I was quickly declined. The rejection stung. I couldn’t help but wonder: What was it about me that didn’t resonate? Was it that I wasn’t a doctor or credentialed to the brim?

But after sitting with that disappointment, I reframed it. If I couldn’t have a seat at their table, I’d build my own. And that’s exactly what I did.
That moment gave birth to SaxeSpeaks – a platform where everyday people share everyday ideas. It celebrates the essential voices we often overlook, the educators, caretakers, builders, and dreamers whose expertise keeps our world turning. Each year, I select six speakers from across the tri-state area to give talks rooted in their lived experiences and areas of expertise. These free community events are hosted in beautiful, thoughtfully designed spaces, because “free” doesn’t have to mean “less than.”

SaxeSpeaks has become one of my proudest accomplishments, not only because of what it represents, but because of the reframe it embodies. Life will always close doors; but what defines us is how we respond when they do. For me, that closed door became an open invitation to create something new: a space for belonging, visibility, and collective inspiration.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As a creative and small business owner, I’ve heard “no” more times than I can count. Sometimes it’s because I lack the financial history that funders look for. My events are free, after all. Other times, it’s because my organization is considered “too new” or “not mature enough.” Early on, those rejections stung. But over time, they became my training ground. Each “no” sharpened my resilience and challenged me to find new, creative ways to turn possibility into reality.

I’ve learned that “no” isn’t a dead end, it’s a redirection. It’s an invitation to innovate, to reimagine, and to push forward with even greater clarity and purpose. My journey, with all its detours and closed doors, has shown me that the measure of success isn’t how many yeses you get, but how you respond when the answer is no.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Ah yes, pivoting.

In March 2020, I was working full-time in the nonprofit sector, running my own business, and had just learned that I would be welcoming a beautiful baby boy later that year. And then….. the world shut down. So when I talk about “pivoting,” I don’t mean a simple shift in direction. I mean a full, life-altering recalibration.

Suddenly, everything changed. My in-person organization had to move entirely remote. I was navigating pregnancy in the middle of a global pandemic, sick, uncertain, and trying to figure out what running a business even looked like in a world on pause. Pivoting wasn’t optional; it was essential. But what I came to understand was that pivoting isn’t just about movement, it’s about acceptance.

To pivot, you must first acknowledge that things are changing, sometimes expectedly, sometimes without warning. Either way, it demands that you move, even when you’re not fully prepared to. That period taught me to prioritize what truly mattered: being a present mother and wife, an active and vocal community advocate, and a creator of spaces where like-minded individuals could exist and express themselves freely.

I learned to be fluid, to allow self-grace to overflow and to embrace lessons in real time. That season wasn’t easy, but it reshaped me. It reminded me that growth doesn’t always come from perfect plans; sometimes, it comes from simply saying yes to change, trusting yourself, and moving forward anyway. Fast forward to 2025, I have zero regrets.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: saxe_speaks

Image Credits

William Harper