I am excited to participate in Surge to nurture myself, relationships with brilliant Black and Brown leaders, and my freedom dream. I am a Black woman, wife, mother, and school leader. Getting caught in the heaviness and rush of each day has been a barrier to intentionally creating space to make my dreams come to fruition. Applying to Surge is important for me to prioritize my own growth and dreams when I do so much to support that in others. My journey isn’t about getting it right. It is about leading with my soul. Being an authentic leader is essential as I think about my freedom dream: creating an organization for and by Black women and girls to nourish and support our well-being and dreams. I wish to continue to grow as a leader who is fully confident in being my authentic self to lead and impact from my heart.