Being Your Authentic Self is a Courageous Act of Rebellion
“For people who are living with invisible illness and pain...people of color, women of color. They go through so much adversity. I go through so much adversity. that if you're able to keep being amazing through all of that pain and suffering that's inflected through systems, institutions, people, discrimination, then that's something that should be celebrated." - Dr. Akilah Cadet
Dr. Akilah Cadet is the founder of Change Cadet consulting, which offers a broad array of services including executive coaching, strategic planning, innovation, and diversity facilitation. Cadet is a French term that means soldier (and happens to be Akilah's last name). As it's often an uphill battle for women and people of color to achieve success in the workplace, Change Cadet prepare soldiers of change to overcome these continuous battles to be their best selves. Akilah has 15+ years of experience working in various organizations, with both private and public sector companies. She has literally all the degrees, lives in Oakland, and is a proud Beyoncé advocate. In this episode of Sway Them In Color Dr. Cadet and I get into:
Managing severe depression and microaggressions with health practitioners
How bias can show up in so many unexpected places, from therapists to bosses
How conformity is a false sense of professionalism
When to walk away from money especially when it is out of line with your values
Why you shouldn't code switch, even in predominantly white male leadership circles
Why you should always negotiate for your financial worth, whether taking a new job or selling services from your company
Take a listen at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts, and follow Dr. Akilah Cadet on Instagram and Twitter @changecadet.