TedXTalk at Mt. San Antonio College

The theme of the TedxTalk was “Mosaic”, with an effort to highlight a spectrum each presenter themselves a point on the spectrum of success. I thought to myself, “I have nothing to offer, I am not successful”. And my community, mentors, and friends were quick to provide that my success is unconventional and immeasurable, but necessary to the conversation.

I decided to offer my humble opinion on “A Former Foster Youth”, essentially feeling as though I am one in a sea of a million. The TedxTalk was a very vulnerable experience for me. I remember meditating right behind the stage, crisscross applesauce, my hands clamy and cold and my heart racing like a machine gun. I prayed I would be deserving of sharing the stage with the astronaut who presented before me.

Today this talk continues to be watched by hundreds. I receive an average of 10-15 emails a year of someone that came across my talk and it inspired them to quote me in a book, or on a policy recommendation, or in their class paper and others that simply want my guidance and listening ear. I am so grateful for these messages, because a part of me felt so vulnerable, almost naked and dirty. Deeply afraid to be abused for showing up vulnerably as I had been when I was a child. But I knew in my heart this was also deeply essential, because it what I needed as a child, someone that looked like me that struggled like me, that made it out of the tunnel. This was for the kids and teens and adults needing a glimmer of hope in a life that is anything but ordinary and also incomparably difficult. It was truly a “Dear Friend” love letter for those survivors, and tiny abused children who are still deep in the mud trying to find a light at the end of the tunnel.

P.S. If you are reading this, you got this my friend.

TedxTalk, Mt. San Antonio College, 2017.