“Your voice is powerful.”
“Your story is valid.”
“Your presence is enough.”
This is what I want every woman to know.
As the founder of TFoundHerVoice, I am committed to helping Black women feel heard, valued, and empowered to speak their truths.
Reclaiming My Voice
The journey to finding my voice was not easy. Growing up, I shrank myself in spaces that did not welcome my authenticity. The turning point came when I stopped waiting for permission to tell my story and simply began speaking.
I remember the first time I spoke publicly about my experiences, I was nervous. But then, something remarkable happened. A woman came up to me and shared that hearing my story gave her the courage to finally speak up. That was when I realized my voice wasn’t just for me, it was for others, too. This moment led me to launch TFoundHerVoice, a platform dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices and fostering open dialogue.
Overcoming Fear and Embracing Confidence
Public speaking didn’t come naturally. I had moments of self-doubt, questioning whether my words even mattered. Regardless, I pushed through by showing up, even when fear lingered. The biggest shift came when I stopped worrying about being perfect and focused on why I was speaking. Instead of thinking, “Am I saying this right?” I started asking, “Does this message need to be heard?”
For women still finding their voices, here’s my advice to you:
- Start where you are: Your voice doesn’t need to be perfect, polished, or approved by anyone to be powerful. Speak up in the spaces you’re already in, whether that’s at work, in your community, or even within your circles.
- Your voice is valid. Don’t let self-doubt or fear of how others might perceive you keep you from speaking. The world needs your perspective, your truth, and your lived experiences.
- Do it scared: Confidence comes from action. Speak even if your voice shakes, even if your hands tremble. The more you do it, the stronger you’ll become.
- Find your people: Surround yourself with a community that supports and uplifts you. Lean into spaces where your voice is valued and where you are encouraged to grow.
- Keep going: Don’t shrink yourself to fit into rooms that weren’t designed for you. Stand tall, speak boldly, and know that your voice is powerful, exactly as it is.
Community and Support Systems
I didn’t get here alone. Mentors, communities, and movements have guided and uplifted me, some in person and others from afar. Seeing Black women lead and take up space unapologetically has permitted me to do the same. Mentorship, whether through encouragement or simply witnessing someone else pave the way, has reminded me that I belong.
Spaces like BIPOC Healing Center, Sexual Assault Edmonton (SACE), When African Women Talk, Black Business Edmonton, Basement Chronicles, and the Alberta Black Therapists Network (ABTN) have affirmed my voice. Movements for Black empowerment, gender equity, and healing have reinforced that we rise together. Because others have poured into me, I am committed to lifting as I climb and keep opening doors for those who come next.
The Impact of Representation
As a Black woman in public speaking and business, I have had situations where I wasn’t taken seriously. This fed a determination to prove myself as equally competent. I’ve walked into rooms where my voice was undervalued before I even spoke a word. And I also know the feeling of having your voice heard and acknowledged unapologetically.
Representation means more than just visibility. You can have Black women on panels or in leadership yet, there will still be more to be done. What we need is for our perspectives and experiences to truly be valued authentically. Pay us what we’re worth. Make space for our unique voices.
Gender equality initiatives and community support have played a key role in this journey. Spaces like When African Women Talk have amplified my work and provided a network of women who understand these struggles.
Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges
After a speaking engagement one day, a woman approached me in tears and asked how I found the courage to speak. I told her that I didn’t develop courage overnight. The truth is, I was pushed into telling my story. Sometimes, the moments we dread most are the moments that set us free.
That experience reaffirmed my belief that my voice is a bridge for others to find theirs. If my story can reassure just one person that their voice matters and deserves to be heard, then it is worth sharing every time.
What’s on the Horizon?
TFoundHerVoice is expanding to reach even more women with programs focused on healing, storytelling, and leadership. We’re developing these to ensure that Black women and marginalized voices have the right tools to step into their power. I also plan to mentor and uplift young women who are navigating their journeys of self-discovery and advocacy.
As a therapeutic coach, my work is deepening in helping women navigate personal and professional barriers. More Black women need to know that they belong in every space they walk into. That they don’t need to ask for permission to exist loudly and unapologetically.
A Message to Black Women
To every Black woman reading this: Your voice is powerful. There is no need to wait for the perfect moment or the perfect words to speak up. The world has tried to silence us for too long, but we were never meant to be quiet.
Speak your truth boldly, unapologetically, without shrinking yourself to make others comfortable. When you use your voice, you empower yourself and inspire the next generation. You remind other Black women that their voices, too, deserve to be heard.
So step forward. Own your story. Know this: You are seen. You are valued. And you are worthy of every space you enter
