You’re the change you’ve been waiting for.
– KEYS SOULCARE
“The way we kick the doors down is we honor who we are.” — Alicia Keys
Want to shatter glass ceilings and get your foot in the door? Show up — unapologetically you.
This sound advice is courtesy of our goddess-in-chief, who partnered with Live Nation Women and the United State of Women alongside fellow chart-topper Brandi Carlile. Alicia and Brandi engaged in a full day of inspiring performances and conversations at Spelman College as part of Beautiful Noise Live. (The Atlanta-based event is dedicated to raising voices and votes to enact change. You can read all about it here.)
During a Q&A segment, one student named Red asked Alicia and Brandi for their advice during this memorable moment. Red’s question? How could she become an agent of change in spaces where women and other minorities struggle to hold power? Alicia made it clear there was only one way to make that happen: Kick down the doors and honor who you are.
“The more that you are who you are, the more that I’m reminded that I can be who I am. I don’t have to change and I don’t have to switch, and I don’t have to dial back and tone down and I don’t have to fit in. I don’t have to because you’re reminding me that I can be who I am.” Alicia brought it home with a powerful declaration. “We also have to build our own houses. We can’t be so worried about walking into all these other people’s doors. I want to be in the door that we created and the house that we built.”
It’s not easy to stand in your power, but it is the only way to live with intention. You are a lightworker. How you show up for yourself is how you inspire others. Don’t underestimate the strength you hold and the change you are destined to make. The world needs you, so show up and shine at full wattage.
Who are you? Share something you love, admire, and cherish about yourself in the comments!
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