Leading in the Face of Fear
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Imagine staring in the eyes of people who see you and those who look like you as a threat and asking them to discuss their fear. Our guest, Bushra Amiwala, did just that. She’s the youngest Muslim elected official in the United States and talks about the key moments of her political journey in the face of opposition so far including her experience running for office as a college freshman. She shares what it’s like to rebound after a political defeat, what goes into being a Board of Education member, the experience of being discounted because of your age, why representation matters and holds the potential to connect us despite difference. Bushra offers wisdom for those who don’t feel represented and shares her framework for everyday leadership.
TOPICS
[6:20] Being lumped together with other minority kids in school
[7:57] Bushra’s journey wearing a hijab
[11:04] Her experience in working for a Republican senator's reelection campaign
[22:24] Seeing the world through different lenses
[24:51] Running for office as a college freshman
[31:38] Board of Education duties
[46:02] Seeing representations of you in media
[47:25] Wisdom for those who don’t feel represented
RELEVANT LINKS
Documentaries
Amazon: Run
TedxTalks
Bushra’s website + social media
QUOTES
“A common misconception that a lot of people also have about those who hold public office is that a lot of us are very unaccessible, which I think historically perhaps may have been done.” -Bushra
“One of the most important parts of actually making lasting change is giving it time for the awareness to be cultivated, but also for the education to be there to understand and be able to have that sink in.” –Nikki
“We have made leadership something greater than ourselves, and because of that, we think it's unattainable, it's unachievable. It's like, “I can't make these strides. I can't make a difference because who am I to be a leader?”. But I've really coined this idea of everyday leadership.” –Bushra
“Society has brainwashed us into thinking that there is only one seat at the table for someone that looks like you, or for someone that looks like me. And frankly speaking, that's just not true. That's what tokenization is. But by default, people from the same communities are now pitted against one another, fighting for the same opportunities, and thinking that we're competitions of collaborating and that's not okay.” –Bushra
“It's the little things you can do every day that become your habits, that later become your character.” –Bushra
“Your leadership style and you leading your life matters so very much. Understand that the actions that you take and the connections that you make are those ripple effects that turn into waves, that turn into a tidal wave to change so much of our future.” –Nikki
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MEET THE HOST: NIKKI INNOCENT
I’ve never been one to be put in a category or fit under one label so here are a few descriptors I identify with: Connector. Empath. Inclusion Advocate. Creator of Safe Spaces in the Gray Area. Women’s Leadership Coach. Hype Woman. Story Fiend. Lover of Conversation. Former Corporate Marketer.