Welcome to the space where I make sense of the world—the one I live in, the one I am forced to navigate, and the one I am trying to change. This is a shared space for those who have always questioned where they belong, exploring identity, justice, and lived experiences. I write about the value of belonging through raw storytelling, social critique, and an unapologetic lens.
Why this, why now?
Over the past few years, I’ve wrestled with the weight of my mosaic of identities—as a millennial, middle-class Black woman, a neurodivergent entrepreneur, and a forever immigrant navigating spaces never built for me. I’ve faced chronic burnout, discrimination, gender-based violence, medical gaslighting, corporate politics, and systemic barriers that made me question the very meaning of belonging. All this led me to May 2023, when I launched my Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion agency, LAUDACE, to help create a future-proof society where everyone belongs.
Since then, I have used my lived experiences and expertise to empower communities and global organizations like Google, WeTransfer, L’Oréal, and Coalition PLUS by providing strategic guidance, impactful workshops, and thought-provoking keynotes. I frequently host open-to-all listening circles through the Courageous Conversations Series in Amsterdam, creating space for accessible, critical, and reflective dialogue on social issues. I also creatively directed the LAUDACE Flip The Neuro-tive Series, an interview project that reframes the narrative on neurodivergence, amplifying underrepresented voices and lived experiences. In 2024, I was listed in the Financial Times as one of the 50 Women of The Future global Rising Stars in ESG, a testament to my commitment to driving systemic change.
I created this newsletter to get more personal and to go beyond surface-level conversations on identity, social justice, neurodiversity, culture, gender, race, and more. Too often, these discussions feel like preaching to the choir, but what happens when we can expand them far beyond that?
Using my voice, I want to inspire positive change and self-reflection for the people of Planet Earth so that we can genuinely welcome each other home with more open arms. I am intensely interested in and driven by intersectional feminist, anti-racist, decolonial, anti-ableist, and anti-ageist practices and beliefs.
Apart from this, I am a polycurious individual with a gigantic appetite for pondering about human behavior, the Arts, culture, and history. My brain buzzes from learning from others' knowledge, traveling, culture, and everyday human interaction. This leads me to make exciting connections between topics you might not have considered and observe how this shapes our lives.
Why subscribe to BTS of Belonging?
This is not just a newsletter. It’s a space for unfiltered reflections, critical thought, and personal storytelling on themes that shape my life. This space is deeply personal but never just about me. It’s about all of us, especially those who live at the margins of belonging. I’m not just writing—I seek to provoke impactful conversations. If these themes resonate with you, I’d love for you to subscribe.
By subscribing to my newsletter, you empower my life’s mission and gain access to the following content:
Monthly deep dive/reflection on an issue that bugs me
Gems of the Week: from books, articles, podcasts, and more, I will share what sparked joy, curiosity, and a-ha! moments or taught me something meaningful.
Personal stories: where I share more vulnerable stories. From experiences of Black womanhood and neurodivergence to navigating the entrepreneurial ecosystem. From reflecting on experiencing gender-based violence across social spheres to my place as a childless 30-something.
You can also access comments, a members-only chat, and more!
