Welcoming SageD: Born from Liberation
International Women’s History Month gives me a routine opportunity to lean fully into my womanism – to pull from the history, trials, and triumphs of women who transcend time and space.
Life and death. I think of my mother (Ma’dear), grandmothers (Ma Meena and Lula Belle), and dear friends who have ascended to the ancestral realm. I also think of current freedom fighters, those that I have the privilege of working alongside, and those whom I admire from a distance. These women are forces who have served me, shaped my thinking, and co-authored my steps.
I was born free, but 2023 has ushered in full liberation.
I recently launched SageD Consulting, a black-women-led, community-centered space for leaders to lead with authenticity and intention. Because our strength is reflected in our combined talents and treasures, we refer to ourselves as a collective – officially, The SageD Collective.
Revolutionary and independent thinkers, you will recognize a few commonalities:
Healing
We are centered on healing both ourselves and our communities. We agree that this includes working the boardroom as much as it does land itself. Self-awareness, intentionality, authenticity, and radical self-care drive us. Collective members have extensive formal education, solid life experience, and direct connection to both the historical and cultural connections necessary to do our work effectively. We own our responsibility in dismantling racist practices and institutions and do not shy away from tough conversations. We seek relational depth versus the light touches that society often seems to support. We know what we know but more importantly, we know what we do not know – and thus, we are lifelong learners. #WeGotWe
Legacy
Legacy Leadership was designed to honor each of our unique paths while recognizing key resources, information, and tools necessary to maximize impact. It is a delicate balance of amplifying what we know to be true based on data and what we believe to be possible through innovation. The 18-month foundational experience grounds us co-creators, builds our network of allies, and supports us as we identify our personal commitment to the care of self. #LegacyLeadership
Belonging
Through specific DEIB efforts such as the Anti-Racist Farmers Market Toolkit, we are able to gather community around the actions of our intentions. This looks like developing communities of practice, driving policy change, implementing intentional programming, challenging the status quo, and of course, providing accountability. #SageDEIB
Holding Space
A powerful lesson from the pandemic was the importance of holding space. Nestled in our homes fighting a virus that we didn’t see coming, we could no longer remain agnostic to the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Tayler, which each resonated a truth that would no longer be denied. Safe spaces must be created, cultivated, and nourished. This soul work takes time and care. Through SageD Spaces, we offer seasonal events and experiences in partnership and in relationship with vendors and physical spaces we trust. #SageDSpaces
Magic
And so, in sharing all of this, another truth comes to light. While International Women’s History Month does offer this specific leverage point for the magic that women bring to every space they occupy, it is a year-round experience for the collective of SageD’s work. I hope you’ll join us and perhaps, realize and share your own magic along the way.
The SageD Collective
