Starting Future for Us was one of the best experiences of my life, and here’s why I left
Future for Us was born from a place of sheer discontent with how we saw women of color being treated at work, and desire for real community. A hunger for a revolution that handed women of color their fair share, nay, more than their fair share for years of working exponentially harder.
The organization was birthed among 300+ of our friends, colleagues, and community. I still remember going from idea to invitations in less than 30 days, and then closing registration when the guest list grew beyond our wildest dreams. The cost underwritten by several incredible allies who said yes on Day 1 — Anika Lehde, Olive Goh, and Frances Dewing. A few months later, we brought together over 400 women for The Assembly — equal parts career advancement and connection. Geekwire covered the event, and a dear colleague wrote about us in Forbes. I rode the high from this day for months — Jessie Wolley-Wilson’s keynote, Cristina Martinez’s artist talk, the venue, meeting Nathalie Molina Niño — and the community. The unbearable joy of being in a space where you weren’t the only.
The success of the Assembly led to dozens of speaking engagements, podcasts, features. A never-ending carousel of media and events.
In September, we hit the road with State of Womxn of Color — a 7 city roadshow in partnership with The Riveter, ending with a day-long summit for employers.
I met some of the most brilliant entrepreneurs, hustlers, activists, and change-makers. Smart, powerful women of color leading in every imageable sector — week after week — in awe of the movements each one was created at work, in community, in their cities.
The roadshow and summit truly felt like a proof-of-concept for something bigger, and more sustainable.
Then…two days after the last event in 2019, my brother died. I closed Friday, November 9th, 2019 with 200+, in a powerful…
