Inside Disruptors 4, you will find the stories of 31 exemplary women disrupting industries, defying expectations, and paving the way for a future where gender is no barrier to success.
Being mixed race on both sides of my parentage but light-skinned and adopted, I am further removed from my genetic make-up and, consequently, my cultural identity. My hair is the real indicator that I am mixed and for me, it is wonderful as I am proud of where I have come from.
I only ever remember seeing grandmothers with gray hair. I had so much shame around my gray hair, there were very few people in my life who knew just how gray I was and how often I was dying my hair to make it look dark.
Every contact I make and every person I manage to add to my network is valuable—I value their time and their willingness to engage. I may not immediately be able to help them, and they may not immediately be able to help me.
My hair is a huge part of self-expression for me, especially when I travel. It’s so big and can sometimes look “untamed”, which is actually when I feel most beautiful. As amazing as it is to be natural, I still think there is a huge pressure to always have perfectly defined curls.
We are using what is typically considered a violent sport to heal women who have experienced violence. The program helps women reclaim consent over their own bodies and voices, connect with their bodies in a healing way, find community and connection and process trauma through physical movement.
My first significant break came with Ryan Murphy's, The Politician on Netflix. Booking the role of Principal Karen Vaughn was a whirlwind experience. I was notified of the audition just a day before it was scheduled, and despite it being my first speaking role, I gave it my all.
My hair does not define my entire identity. My words and actions define who I am, and my hair is simply a form of expression that I choose to express on any given day.
Since 2018, we have managed to raise awareness of the Ethnicity Pay Gap and we have lobbied the previous Government to take action. We are very pleased to see that the current Government plan to introduce legislation covering the Ethnicity Pay Gap which will form part of the Employment Rights Bill.
