Last Tuesday, nearly 100 women gathered in Unity Hall for a night unlike any other. It wasn’t a panel. It wasn’t a lecture. It was a real conversation—an honest, courageous space where women of different races, backgrounds, and experiences came together to talk about allyship, friendship, and what it means to truly show up for one another.
We called it: The Talk – Part One.
Where It All Began
This conversation was born from a painful moment I shared in a blog post titled “What Could’ve Been Said: A Call for Allyship in Everyday Spaces”. After a deeply upsetting experience at our local library with my children, I was left wondering:
How can I help make this community I love more inclusive and equitable for all?
That question didn’t go away. In fact, it grew louder. As an African immigrant and a Black woman, I realized that while I live in a Black body, I’ve had the privilege of not fully engaging with the nuances of the Black American experience. I decided to enroll in graduate school for social work, to deepen my understanding of social justice, equity, and advocacy work in the U.S.
But I also had a dream—literally.
I dreamt of a circle of women: White women and women of color engaged in a bold, vulnerable conversation—not just about race, but about how to move beyond surface-level friendships to true, active allyship. I shared the dream with a few friends who encouraged me to pursue it. And so, with the help of my incredible cohost Katie, and a group of amazing women from all backgrounds, The Talk – Part One came to life.
The Night of The Talk
Katie and I spent weeks reaching out to thought partners, local leaders, and organizations doing similar work—including the Community Diversity Group of La Grange. So many people showed up to help—each offering their talents, time, and energy to make the event a success.
Katie opened the night with warmth and vulnerability. She spoke about times when she had been lovingly corrected by women of color in her life—and how, even with a certificate in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion from Cornell, she continues to learn every day. She reminded us that true allyship requires humility, listening, and the willingness to be uncomfortable.
Then, I shared my story—the one from the library. I could feel the room holding its breath. It was not easy to tell. But it was real. And it was necessary.
After a moment of reflection, we broke into small groups. Each table had a facilitator to guide a simple yet powerful question:
“If you had witnessed what happened at the library, how would you have shown up for my children and me using your privilege?”
What followed was profound. There were tears, laughter, truth-telling, and healing. Each group came back to the larger circle and shared what had emerged from their conversations. There was no performative talk—just people leaning into the messy, holy work of becoming better humans to each other.
Why It Matters
What made this night different was that we didn’t publicize it widely on social media. We wanted to create a safe space where people could show up as they are, without fear of judgment or outside scrutiny. The result? A room filled with connection, honesty, and vulnerability.
So many women left that night saying,
“I’ve never had a space like this before.”
“That conversation changed me.”
“I finally feel like I have a way to start showing up differently.”
This Is Only the Beginning
We called it The Talk – Part One for a reason.
This isn’t a one-time event. It’s a movement, a practice, a commitment to keep showing up—for ourselves, for each other, and for the communities we want to build.
So stay tuned. The Talk – Part Two is coming. And we’ll be ready to go deeper, together.
Final Thoughts
If you’re someone who wants to learn how to be a better ally, friend, or advocate, start with this:
✅ Listen without defending.
✅ Show up even when it’s uncomfortable.
✅ Use your privilege to open doors, not close them.
✅ Remember: No one crosses your path by accident.
Let’s keep having the hard conversations that lead to healing. Let’s build communities where every voice matters, and no one has to shrink to belong.
Because allyship isn’t a title—it’s a lifestyle.
#TheKindExchange #TheTalkPartOne #AllyshipInAction #CommunityHealing #DEI #SocialJustice #BlackWomenLead #VulnerabilityIsStrength #InclusiveCommunities #CourageousConversations
