Urban Leaders Fellowship 2022: Lacing up for the Aftermath
I literally can't even decide where to begin. We recently entered September, so I've been home a few weeks since my summer fellowship with Urban Leaders in the Washington, Maryland, and Virginia area. I touched down on August 14th, and I had to return to my classroom August 15th to start my 14th year of teaching! WOWZERS. By the end of week two of the school year, I remember that Friday I literally collapsed. Still with remnants of my luggages that housed almost 8 weeks worth of my things were dispersed on my bedroom floor.
My body, mind, and soul just shut down like someone turned off a light switch within me. All of the training, the travel, the mind-blowing mirror work, the policy memo writing, the Zoom calls with stakeholders, the running around with my partner organization, the checkins...well it all just folded me like a thin sheet of paper. BLACKOUT! I listened and surrendered to that call, and cancelled everything on my agenda that weekend. Radical rest was paramount, unpacking completely was priority, and just sitting in the experience was crucial.
Everyone asks me that same question: "Soooo, how was it?"
I stare off into the corner of the room each time because I really don't have the appropriate language that would truly justify the experience both to myself and to others. I respond with some storytelling, but here, in this space, I'll categorize it for the visuals at heart.
The Cohort:
Mannnnnnnn, my word! My cohort was comprised of some of the dopest people on the planet. They were funny, deep-hearted, change-agents, talented, gifted, conscious, in so many important spaces, and best of all, my new friends. They made space for my big Latina vibes and dedication to her ancestors and education equity. They celebrated my passions, my assets, and my company. It was honestly so hard to leave them, as we really bonded and created a bit of a strand that holds us together. Some you draw more close to than others, but I can honestly say I had memorable experiences both small and great with ALL of them. Be still my heart, I miss them as I type this. So grateful for future plane tickets and excuses to see each other. My Regional director Tej was also great. A genuine soul and tour guide, loved to keep intrigue and mystery, and always pushed us beyond our responses and potential. His main declaration was to lead, that we were ALL leaders...so go do the thang.
The Policy Proposal:
Because ULF is like a two-pronged experience of both policy and practice, we are partnered with an organization and a DC council member. My 3 women team and I were partnered with Brook Pinto's office. Our focus? Women and Girls in STEM. In an effort to disrupt the school to prison pipeline for historically marginalized girls, we proposed an after school program that would teach them STEM skills, provide mentorship, and possible future career pathways to avoid touching the system and entering into a more promising future. This was an arduous task. We had to meet with so many stakeholders, pull into our Rolodex of networks and meet, meet, meet. We met with some amazing folks like DC public schools, NASA, Black Girls Code, and more. Asking for their possible support and expertise in the field, we had some momentous conversations with dedicated folks who are doing inspiring work in these areas. We met with her chief of staff each week, and work diligently to revise our policy memo with our recommendations, along with with slide deck to present our findings. Here's to hoping our proposal will go forth. It was memorable, invigorating, and really put us in a position to initiate actual change by presenting this tangible solution.
The Partner Organization:
I was partnered with the dopest organization on the ULF list with full admission of my bias: Strong Schools Maryland. Their mission is to work to ensure a brighter future and world-class schools for all Maryland students. I focused on their Blueprint for Maryland Legislation. According to their website, they stated, “The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (House Bill 1300) became law in the 2021 state legislative session.” This bill that fought to be passed is paving the way for Maryland students, teachers, and families in a way that is equitable & just. I couldn’t have been more enthusiastic about diving in. A diverse teacher workforce and representation has been a recent passion for me, and it’s no coincidence that it’s one of their pillars. Come on now stars, keep aligning for your girl! This team was dope, my supervisor is a justice warrior & empathetic leader…of which I needed. This was very new ground for me: legislation, how bills are passed, policy memos, data analysis, etc, etc. Mrs. G. needed someone who was willing to ease her in and allow her to ask a ton of questions–I was so blessed to be matched with someone who was all those things! Let’s go! Her name is Shamoyia Gardiner, and I couldn't wait to learn from her bold leadership. Post-fellowship, we have some partnership ideas brewing so stay tuned---we are hoping the band can get back together. My teammate Evan (who turned into one of my dearest friends), and I had an epic time with Shamoyia, as we saw her vision for equity and justice play out every day with her stakeholders while leading us with poise and grace. Blessed.
The DC Vibes:
I was enamored by the elixir that is the DMV area. From the lights, to the capital, to the people, the adventures, to the advocacy vibes...I was so overtaken by it all. To have spent 7 weeks away from home, from my everyday life, it was outer body to say the least. My place in Virginia was incredible as well. From the rooftop lounge and pool to the workout rooms, I was certainly floating on clouds. There's just too much to unpack here. Yet, I will certainly return without question. Spent my birthday and anniversary out there-my word-one for the books.
The Mirror Work:
Oof: Sooooo...to be confronted with one's self for long stretches of time is both horrifying and liberating. In this type of work I really became intentional about my mental health routines, but also the deep internal work that goes with living a life dedicated to justice and equity. To engage mirror work, identifying my grows and glows, and to share that with my cohort was both healing and affirming. I took away so much more knowledge about myself-the electric parts & the parts in progress with full acceptance and mercy. Confronting my intellectual limitations and growth spurts, the strain was worth it, and the tension made me better in the end. Tears shed. Body winced. Soul checked. Spirit flexed. Doing this work made me more pliable with the purpose of stretching upward to my next dimension. Yet, you gotta take a look in the mirror first. Healed change agents are able to heal others. Let's heal and not wound by doing this type of work within. Amen.
What's Next?
I know that I came home completely transcendent. On another level. Bolstered with confidence. Tethered with exhaustion. I want to deepen partnership with ULF and my other networks of influence. I desire to be strategic in leveraging this remarkable journey for the betterment of the people and my call to action. I realize the importance of diversifying the folks at decision-making tables, I'm now able to stomach policy making ingredients that are often sprinkled on social issues I'm in close proximity to. Hence, I stand unafraid to continue to do something the hell about it. It has awoken a lioness in me, developed my activist voice, certified my lived-experiences, and dare I say celebrated the Latinidad that I proudly took with me. I expect greater things now. I anticipate doors opening, I await more seats at the table. I'm not who I once was and I like her. She has power, base, unction. I am awakened! Took a leap and started my speaking and consulting venture that I call "Sofia Speaks." I need to speak more after this, and the universe will respond to me if I position myself as one! I'll be in Kansas City in October as Keynote speaker with Latinx Education Collaborative, and some other speaking ventures as a result. It's happening that fast. This was not a once in a lifetime experience, it was a picture of what is possible. Lacing up my J's--about to take my next shot!