Dr. Adriane Johnson-Williams

I start with them because we whiteness.

It doesn't it's like it doesn't exist.

Whiteness isn't a racial identity.

Whiteness is just it just is.

And because we get to because people feel that way, it feels like you don't have to interrogate it.

And so by starting with white identity and having people really get in and get a little uncomfortable with their own place in all of these systems, I really feel like I get a lot farther.

Also because I do it with kindness.

Again, humanity and dignity, core values of mine.

I want for people to maintain their dignity.

I also want for people to be honest about what responsibility they have to change things, what power they have.

And so that's really important.

I think my special sauce is starting with people with who the people are who are in power in these systems.

Can I say two?

I'll give two.

One, it's important to have real clarity about what you think should be.

What is the vision for what equity looks like in the space you're in?

Because otherwise you could end up flailing.

So what is the thing?

What is the ideal place?

And then the next thing I would say is try to understand why things look the way they look.