[Music] all right so I hope that this is a
all right so I hope that this is a
all right so I hope that this is a pretty judge Freeh crowd because I have
pretty judge Freeh crowd because I have
pretty judge Freeh crowd because I have something to admit that’s a little bit
something to admit that’s a little bit
something to admit that’s a little bit embarrassing so when I was a kid I used
embarrassing so when I was a kid I used
embarrassing so when I was a kid I used to think that in order to go to
to think that in order to go to
to think that in order to go to different continents you needed an
different continents you needed an
different continents you needed an actual rocket ship I used to think that
actual rocket ship I used to think that
actual rocket ship I used to think that in order to go see the Eiffel Tower or a
in order to go see the Eiffel Tower or a
in order to go see the Eiffel Tower or a Big Ben in London or the Sydney Opera
Big Ben in London or the Sydney Opera
Big Ben in London or the Sydney Opera House I had to study for years and years
House I had to study for years and years
House I had to study for years and years and years as for astronomy or physics or
and years as for astronomy or physics or
and years as for astronomy or physics or engineering and then save up a trillion
engineering and then save up a trillion
engineering and then save up a trillion dollars for a rocket ship that’s really
dollars for a rocket ship that’s really
dollars for a rocket ship that’s really embarrassing but that’s how distant
embarrassing but that’s how distant
embarrassing but that’s how distant travel was for me I never saw anybody in
travel was for me I never saw anybody in
travel was for me I never saw anybody in my community going absolutely anywhere
my community going absolutely anywhere
my community going absolutely anywhere except the Jersey Shore I’m from
except the Jersey Shore I’m from
except the Jersey Shore I’m from Philadelphia so I just thought we’ll go
Philadelphia so I just thought we’ll go
Philadelphia so I just thought we’ll go to Jersey Shore go to Wildwood and
to Jersey Shore go to Wildwood and
to Jersey Shore go to Wildwood and that’s about it and I thought this for a
that’s about it and I thought this for a
that’s about it and I thought this for a very long time I’m so happy to say that
very long time I’m so happy to say that
very long time I’m so happy to say that in 2005 I used my passport for the first
in 2005 I used my passport for the first
in 2005 I used my passport for the first time but it wasn’t until I took my first
time but it wasn’t until I took my first
time but it wasn’t until I took my first trip with president mrs. Obama to
trip with president mrs. Obama to
trip with president mrs. Obama to Jakarta Indonesia in 2010 that I really
Jakarta Indonesia in 2010 that I really
Jakarta Indonesia in 2010 that I really honestly fell in love with travel back
honestly fell in love with travel back
honestly fell in love with travel back it up just a little bit to how I got to
it up just a little bit to how I got to
it up just a little bit to how I got to the White House so seventeen I graduated
the White House so seventeen I graduated
the White House so seventeen I graduated high school like everyone else you’re
high school like everyone else you’re
high school like everyone else you’re supposed to go to college supposed to do
supposed to go to college supposed to do
supposed to go to college supposed to do really well supposed to not get any debt
really well supposed to not get any debt
really well supposed to not get any debt I did zero of those things so when I
I did zero of those things so when I
I did zero of those things so when I went to college I didn’t you needed two
went to college I didn’t you needed two
went to college I didn’t you needed two things here the finances and discipline
things here the finances and discipline
things here the finances and discipline I have zero of any of that I had no
I have zero of any of that I had no
I have zero of any of that I had no interest in college I had no interest in
interest in college I had no interest in
interest in college I had no interest in getting a higher education I just wanted
getting a higher education I just wanted
getting a higher education I just wanted to make money but basically I was told
to make money but basically I was told
to make money but basically I was told you have to go to college I went to
you have to go to college I went to
you have to go to college I went to college at 17 failed out at 18 so when I
college at 17 failed out at 18 so when I
college at 17 failed out at 18 so when I failed out of college I said to myself
failed out of college I said to myself
failed out of college I said to myself that’s okay I’ll just go open every
that’s okay I’ll just go open every
that’s okay I’ll just go open every credit card that there is and just go
credit card that there is and just go
credit card that there is and just go bankrupt I didn’t really care because to
bankrupt I didn’t really care because to
bankrupt I didn’t really care because to me it didn’t really matter so I went and
me it didn’t really matter so I went and
me it didn’t really matter so I went and I opened up every credit card that there
I opened up every credit card that there
I opened up every credit card that there was and then I went and got a job at the
was and then I went and got a job at the
was and then I went and got a job at the mall at the time when I was 19 working
mall at the time when I was 19 working
mall at the time when I was 19 working at all Bon Pain for $5.50 was amazing it
at all Bon Pain for $5.50 was amazing it
at all Bon Pain for $5.50 was amazing it was like I had my
was like I had my
was like I had my money my own everything so I kept doing
money my own everything so I kept doing
money my own everything so I kept doing that for a number of years and then
that for a number of years and then
that for a number of years and then eventually I realized I should go back
eventually I realized I should go back
eventually I realized I should go back to school maybe I should go back and get
to school maybe I should go back and get
to school maybe I should go back and get an education so then I tried to go back
an education so then I tried to go back
an education so then I tried to go back to school and to schools told me I’m
to school and to schools told me I’m
to school and to schools told me I’m sorry you’re basically not smart enough
sorry you’re basically not smart enough
sorry you’re basically not smart enough to go to college and I said that’s cool
to go to college and I said that’s cool
to go to college and I said that’s cool that’s alright I’ll just keep working
that’s alright I’ll just keep working
that’s alright I’ll just keep working and so I did so then once I went to I
and so I did so then once I went to I
and so I did so then once I went to I was in Cincinnati once I moved back home
was in Cincinnati once I moved back home
was in Cincinnati once I moved back home to my city of Philadelphia as someone
to my city of Philadelphia as someone
to my city of Philadelphia as someone tried one more time to go to college and
tried one more time to go to college and
tried one more time to go to college and so then I applied again to college and
so then I applied again to college and
so then I applied again to college and once again I got a rejection letter but
once again I got a rejection letter but
once again I got a rejection letter but the letter said you should track
the letter said you should track
the letter said you should track community college and I was like
community college and I was like
community college and I was like Community College like that’s the 13th
Community College like that’s the 13th
Community College like that’s the 13th grade who goes the Community College no
grade who goes the Community College no
grade who goes the Community College no one goes it’s the Community College so I
one goes it’s the Community College so I
one goes it’s the Community College so I said no thank you I’m gonna keep it
said no thank you I’m gonna keep it
said no thank you I’m gonna keep it moving then eventually I said to myself
moving then eventually I said to myself
moving then eventually I said to myself you should swallow your pride and you
you should swallow your pride and you
you should swallow your pride and you should really go back to school at this
should really go back to school at this
should really go back to school at this point I’m 27 years old so I went to
point I’m 27 years old so I went to
point I’m 27 years old so I went to apply it’s a community college and you
apply it’s a community college and you
apply it’s a community college and you know what they told me they said you’re
know what they told me they said you’re
know what they told me they said you’re amazing in English so great but your
amazing in English so great but your
amazing in English so great but your math is really bad and I was like okay
math is really bad and I was like okay
math is really bad and I was like okay but that’s why I’m here thank you and
but that’s why I’m here thank you and
but that’s why I’m here thank you and they said you have to go take a high
they said you have to go take a high
they said you have to go take a high school course and I said is go horse but
school course and I said is go horse but
school course and I said is go horse but again I swallowed my pride and I went
again I swallowed my pride and I went
again I swallowed my pride and I went and I learned algebra for the fourth or
and I learned algebra for the fourth or
and I learned algebra for the fourth or fifth time so eventually I started
fifth time so eventually I started
fifth time so eventually I started Community College in 2007 then 2008
Community College in 2007 then 2008
Community College in 2007 then 2008 happened it was a magical magical year
happened it was a magical magical year
happened it was a magical magical year for me number one I already said that
for me number one I already said that
for me number one I already said that I’m from Philadelphia our sports teams
I’m from Philadelphia our sports teams
I’m from Philadelphia our sports teams win nothing but this time the
win nothing but this time the
win nothing but this time the Philadelphia Phillies won the World
Philadelphia Phillies won the World
Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series it was amazing it was like insane
Series it was amazing it was like insane
Series it was amazing it was like insane but then this black man was running for
but then this black man was running for
but then this black man was running for president and I said that’s lovely that
president and I said that’s lovely that
president and I said that’s lovely that this black man’s running for president
this black man’s running for president
this black man’s running for president but he is not really gonna win like for
but he is not really gonna win like for
but he is not really gonna win like for real like I really appreciate what he’s
real like I really appreciate what he’s
real like I really appreciate what he’s trying to do and I’m like with him but I
trying to do and I’m like with him but I
trying to do and I’m like with him but I doubt he’s ever gonna win but what I did
doubt he’s ever gonna win but what I did
doubt he’s ever gonna win but what I did was I cut out a picture of Barack Obama
was I cut out a picture of Barack Obama
was I cut out a picture of Barack Obama senator at the time and I put it on my
senator at the time and I put it on my
senator at the time and I put it on my desk and I said one day I’m gonna work
desk and I said one day I’m gonna work
desk and I said one day I’m gonna work for this man but that was like you know
for this man but that was like you know
for this man but that was like you know you say that said about Oprah
you say that said about Oprah
you say that said about Oprah it hasn’t happened yet so like it’s
it hasn’t happened yet so like it’s
it hasn’t happened yet so like it’s whatever so I was thinking there’s no
whatever so I was thinking there’s no
whatever so I was thinking there’s no way this is gonna happen
way this is gonna happen
way this is gonna happen so then 2008 happened prop Obama
so then 2008 happened prop Obama
so then 2008 happened prop Obama actually won the presidency and then the
actually won the presidency and then the
actually won the presidency and then the following year I was like that’s amazing
following year I was like that’s amazing
following year I was like that’s amazing but not gonna figure out how I can work
but not gonna figure out how I can work
but not gonna figure out how I can work for him like what what can I do at the
for him like what what can I do at the
for him like what what can I do at the time I was mentoring a bunch of young
time I was mentoring a bunch of young
time I was mentoring a bunch of young girls and I said get applications all
girls and I said get applications all
girls and I said get applications all the time for the girls used to get
the time for the girls used to get
the time for the girls used to get everything from scholarships internships
everything from scholarships internships
everything from scholarships internships and something came across my desk it
and something came across my desk it
and something came across my desk it said White House internship and I said
said White House internship and I said
said White House internship and I said well this is my end this is it and I
well this is my end this is it and I
well this is my end this is it and I said but I’m sure at this point I had
said but I’m sure at this point I had
said but I’m sure at this point I had terrible debt I had six credits of
terrible debt I had six credits of
terrible debt I had six credits of Community College I knew no one
Community College I knew no one
Community College I knew no one I also publicly wrote about my abortion
I also publicly wrote about my abortion
I also publicly wrote about my abortion in the paper and I was thinking there’s
in the paper and I was thinking there’s
in the paper and I was thinking there’s no way they’re gonna choose me for a
no way they’re gonna choose me for a
no way they’re gonna choose me for a White House internship but the
White House internship but the
White House internship but the application was SuperDuper easy and I
application was SuperDuper easy and I
application was SuperDuper easy and I was like I can do this
was like I can do this
was like I can do this I mean I was a hip-hop writer also so I
I mean I was a hip-hop writer also so I
I mean I was a hip-hop writer also so I was like I can write this is pretty easy
was like I can write this is pretty easy
was like I can write this is pretty easy so I did the application I heard nothing
so I did the application I heard nothing
so I did the application I heard nothing for ever and ever and ever then in July
for ever and ever and ever then in July
for ever and ever and ever then in July 2009 at 10:30 p.m. the White House
2009 at 10:30 p.m. the White House
2009 at 10:30 p.m. the White House called and I said I’m sorry they said
called and I said I’m sorry they said
called and I said I’m sorry they said they said this is the White House and I
they said this is the White House and I
they said this is the White House and I said um you know can I help you and they
said um you know can I help you and they
said um you know can I help you and they said they said we want to interview for
said they said we want to interview for
said they said we want to interview for an internship and I said okay I did the
an internship and I said okay I did the
an internship and I said okay I did the interview I thought I did amazing
interview I thought I did amazing
interview I thought I did amazing apparently they did too but I dodged it
apparently they did too but I dodged it
apparently they did too but I dodged it amazing and then I didn’t hear anything
amazing and then I didn’t hear anything
amazing and then I didn’t hear anything for weeks and weeks and weeks and I said
for weeks and weeks and weeks and I said
for weeks and weeks and weeks and I said oh well that was great so then I got an
oh well that was great so then I got an
oh well that was great so then I got an email and you know how Gmail has a
email and you know how Gmail has a
email and you know how Gmail has a preview it said on it we want to inform
preview it said on it we want to inform
preview it said on it we want to inform you and I was like that I obviously
you and I was like that I obviously
you and I was like that I obviously wasn’t select and delete and I was like
wasn’t select and delete and I was like
wasn’t select and delete and I was like I don’t need any drama or any negative
I don’t need any drama or any negative
I don’t need any drama or any negative feelings about myself I don’t even need
feelings about myself I don’t even need
feelings about myself I don’t even need to see a rejection email so I deleted it
oops so about a week later it says
oops so about a week later it says reminder your paperwork is due and I was
reminder your paperwork is due and I was
reminder your paperwork is due and I was like for what and I opened it up and it
like for what and I opened it up and it
like for what and I opened it up and it was like your sf-86 which is the longest
was like your sf-86 which is the longest
was like your sf-86 which is the longest form in history of the world to fill out
form in history of the world to fill out
form in history of the world to fill out for a clearance and that was like oh
for a clearance and that was like oh
for a clearance and that was like oh hurry up I filled it out turned it
hurry up I filled it out turned it
hurry up I filled it out turned it in it was not too late and then I
in it was not too late and then I
in it was not too late and then I thought once I do this background check
thought once I do this background check
thought once I do this background check I’m definitely not gonna get this and so
I’m definitely not gonna get this and so
I’m definitely not gonna get this and so obviously I did and then in September of
obviously I did and then in September of
obviously I did and then in September of 2009 I started my White House internship
2009 I started my White House internship
2009 I started my White House internship I was 31 years old those glasses are
I was 31 years old those glasses are
I was 31 years old those glasses are just for show I just want to look smart
just for show I just want to look smart
just for show I just want to look smart I could totally see my blazer was from
I could totally see my blazer was from
I could totally see my blazer was from some discount store it’s way too big I
some discount store it’s way too big I
some discount store it’s way too big I kept my nose ring and I had these Dookie
kept my nose ring and I had these Dookie
kept my nose ring and I had these Dookie braids and I was like I’m gonna be this
braids and I was like I’m gonna be this
braids and I was like I’m gonna be this black girl going in there with these
black girl going in there with these
black girl going in there with these braids nobody’s gonna understand but I
braids nobody’s gonna understand but I
braids nobody’s gonna understand but I want to go for it and so I started my
want to go for it and so I started my
want to go for it and so I started my internship and what is called the
internship and what is called the
internship and what is called the scheduling and advance department and I
scheduling and advance department and I
scheduling and advance department and I was a regular intern I just did
was a regular intern I just did
was a regular intern I just did paperwork and slides and a bunch of
paperwork and slides and a bunch of
paperwork and slides and a bunch of other things and then November 2009
other things and then November 2009
other things and then November 2009 happens and that was a shooting at Fort
happens and that was a shooting at Fort
happens and that was a shooting at Fort Hood and when the shooting at Fort Hood
Hood and when the shooting at Fort Hood
Hood and when the shooting at Fort Hood happens all of the staff members were
happens all of the staff members were
happens all of the staff members were over in Asia getting ready for the
over in Asia getting ready for the
over in Asia getting ready for the president to go to his yearly Asia trip
president to go to his yearly Asia trip
president to go to his yearly Asia trip and some staff member came to me and
and some staff member came to me and
and some staff member came to me and said pack your bags we need you to go
said pack your bags we need you to go
said pack your bags we need you to go somewhere and I’m like I’m from Philly
somewhere and I’m like I’m from Philly
somewhere and I’m like I’m from Philly I’m not going nowhere unless you tell me
I’m not going nowhere unless you tell me
I’m not going nowhere unless you tell me where we’re going and she’s like the
where we’re going and she’s like the
where we’re going and she’s like the White House wants you to go I’m like yes
White House wants you to go I’m like yes
White House wants you to go I’m like yes ma’am and so I packed the bags and I got
ma’am and so I packed the bags and I got
ma’am and so I packed the bags and I got to Andrews Air Force Base and I was like
to Andrews Air Force Base and I was like
to Andrews Air Force Base and I was like oh my god am I getting an Air Force one
oh my god am I getting an Air Force one
oh my god am I getting an Air Force one they’re like no you’re getting on a
they’re like no you’re getting on a
they’re like no you’re getting on a cargo plane I’m like hold up like like
cargo plane I’m like hold up like like
cargo plane I’m like hold up like like hold up a cargo plane so we get on this
hold up a cargo plane so we get on this
hold up a cargo plane so we get on this a cargo plane which is a c-17 it’s a
a cargo plane which is a c-17 it’s a
a cargo plane which is a c-17 it’s a military plane and I said where are we
military plane and I said where are we
military plane and I said where are we going and they said Fort Hood Texas and
going and they said Fort Hood Texas and
going and they said Fort Hood Texas and I said well why am I going I’m an intern
I said well why am I going I’m an intern
I said well why am I going I’m an intern they said we need you to go we need you
they said we need you to go we need you
they said we need you to go we need you to go ahead and do press logistics and
to go ahead and do press logistics and
to go ahead and do press logistics and assist the team before the president
assist the team before the president
assist the team before the president first lady come down and I was like
first lady come down and I was like
first lady come down and I was like excuse me what and I said I again I’m an
excuse me what and I said I again I’m an
excuse me what and I said I again I’m an intern and they were like there is no
intern and they were like there is no
intern and they were like there is no time to say you an intern they’re like
time to say you an intern they’re like
time to say you an intern they’re like you got to step up
you got to step up
you got to step up we landed in Fort Hood Texas we had 36
we landed in Fort Hood Texas we had 36
we landed in Fort Hood Texas we had 36 hours to plan a 20
hours to plan a 20
hours to plan a 20 in person rally before the president and
in person rally before the president and
in person rally before the president and first lady came it was the most somber
first lady came it was the most somber
first lady came it was the most somber experience that I ever in my life ever
experience that I ever in my life ever
experience that I ever in my life ever ever had but I think that’s basically
ever had but I think that’s basically
ever had but I think that’s basically then what got me further with the White
then what got me further with the White
then what got me further with the White House so then the internship was over I
House so then the internship was over I
House so then the internship was over I left I went back home I said that was
left I went back home I said that was
left I went back home I said that was lovely
lovely
lovely I probably won’t be lucky twice for
I probably won’t be lucky twice for
I probably won’t be lucky twice for something else like that to happen ever
something else like that to happen ever
something else like that to happen ever to me oh and I forgot to mention I did
to me oh and I forgot to mention I did
to me oh and I forgot to mention I did get to fly home on Air Force One from
get to fly home on Air Force One from
get to fly home on Air Force One from Fort Hood which is amazing and then the
Fort Hood which is amazing and then the
Fort Hood which is amazing and then the president coming down the aisle and
president coming down the aisle and
president coming down the aisle and being like who’s that some I said that’s
being like who’s that some I said that’s
being like who’s that some I said that’s our internal much so anyway so um so
our internal much so anyway so um so
our internal much so anyway so um so then after Fort Hood happened I went
then after Fort Hood happened I went
then after Fort Hood happened I went home and I said you know what that was
home and I said you know what that was
home and I said you know what that was great
great
great I love that experience like I’m gonna go
I love that experience like I’m gonna go
I love that experience like I’m gonna go home and be this big activist like I was
home and be this big activist like I was
home and be this big activist like I was and I went back to my job and it didn’t
and I went back to my job and it didn’t
and I went back to my job and it didn’t feel the same I didn’t feel the same
feel the same I didn’t feel the same
feel the same I didn’t feel the same anymore cuz I knew I was capable of
anymore cuz I knew I was capable of
anymore cuz I knew I was capable of doing more and so I went to quit my job
doing more and so I went to quit my job
doing more and so I went to quit my job I don’t know what maybe think I was my
I don’t know what maybe think I was my
I don’t know what maybe think I was my idea but a week later the White House
idea but a week later the White House
idea but a week later the White House emailed me and they said we need to talk
emailed me and they said we need to talk
emailed me and they said we need to talk to you and I was like what did I mess up
to you and I was like what did I mess up
to you and I was like what did I mess up I’m so sorry and they said there’s a job
I’m so sorry and they said there’s a job
I’m so sorry and they said there’s a job for you here and I said for me and they
for you here and I said for me and they
for you here and I said for me and they said for you and I said well just to be
said for you and I said well just to be
said for you and I said well just to be very clear I don’t have a college degree
very clear I don’t have a college degree
very clear I don’t have a college degree and I want to be very honest about that
and I want to be very honest about that
and I want to be very honest about that because I don’t want it coming back that
because I don’t want it coming back that
because I don’t want it coming back that this obama aid doesn’t have a college
this obama aid doesn’t have a college
this obama aid doesn’t have a college degree and they said if you promise
degree and they said if you promise
degree and they said if you promise you’ll finish while you’re here you can
you’ll finish while you’re here you can
you’ll finish while you’re here you can have the job so I moved down to DC and
have the job so I moved down to DC and
have the job so I moved down to DC and the June of 2010 and started seven and a
the June of 2010 and started seven and a
the June of 2010 and started seven and a half career that ended January 20th 2017
half career that ended January 20th 2017
half career that ended January 20th 2017 I was the last employee to leave the
I was the last employee to leave the
I was the last employee to leave the building on that there’s a month a bomb
building on that there’s a month a bomb
building on that there’s a month a bomb administration so here just a few of my
administration so here just a few of my
administration so here just a few of my experiences going with the president to
experiences going with the president to
experiences going with the president to Mexico meeting the Pope that was amazing
Mexico meeting the Pope that was amazing
Mexico meeting the Pope that was amazing I slept on my floor that night first of
I slept on my floor that night first of
I slept on my floor that night first of all I was like I don’t know if I can get
all I was like I don’t know if I can get
all I was like I don’t know if I can get into the next day and I’m tired and the
into the next day and I’m tired and the
into the next day and I’m tired and the president’s like tisha come over here
president’s like tisha come over here
president’s like tisha come over here and I’m like yes sir he’s like I want
and I’m like yes sir he’s like I want
and I’m like yes sir he’s like I want you to meet the Pope I’m like I’m sorry
you to meet the Pope I’m like I’m sorry
you to meet the Pope I’m like I’m sorry and I didn’t even know this picture
and I didn’t even know this picture
and I didn’t even know this picture existed so these are my highlights and
existed so these are my highlights and
existed so these are my highlights and then dancing with them so there’s this
then dancing with them so there’s this
then dancing with them so there’s this tradition right that that every at the
tradition right that that every at the
tradition right that that every at the end of every holiday season which I
end of every holiday season which I
end of every holiday season which I coordinated the social secretary which
coordinated the social secretary which
coordinated the social secretary which was my final job that I had danced with
was my final job that I had danced with
was my final job that I had danced with the president right
the president right
the president right so he’s like you’re gonna just you know
so he’s like you’re gonna just you know
so he’s like you’re gonna just you know before I was like nobody hadn’t used it
before I was like nobody hadn’t used it
before I was like nobody hadn’t used it or anything I’m like oh no I’m having
or anything I’m like oh no I’m having
or anything I’m like oh no I’m having music and speakers and everything so I
music and speakers and everything so I
music and speakers and everything so I put on a Beyonce song and this is us
put on a Beyonce song and this is us
put on a Beyonce song and this is us dancing to Beyonce from my first trip
dancing to Beyonce from my first trip
dancing to Beyonce from my first trip with them in 2010 to Indonesia to my
with them in 2010 to Indonesia to my
with them in 2010 to Indonesia to my last trip with them to Morocco in 2016
last trip with them to Morocco in 2016
last trip with them to Morocco in 2016 there was something I noticed all of the
there was something I noticed all of the
there was something I noticed all of the time when I went to different embassies
time when I went to different embassies
time when I went to different embassies and worked with the diplomats there was
and worked with the diplomats there was
and worked with the diplomats there was 0.0% black people and I didn’t
0.0% black people and I didn’t
0.0% black people and I didn’t understand it why are there no black
understand it why are there no black
understand it why are there no black people working in US embassies I’m not
people working in US embassies I’m not
people working in US embassies I’m not understanding this at all it was
understanding this at all it was
understanding this at all it was basically all white people and I’m like
basically all white people and I’m like
basically all white people and I’m like but this is not our country our country
but this is not our country our country
but this is not our country our country is multi racial so why at the embassies
is multi racial so why at the embassies
is multi racial so why at the embassies are there no black people I didn’t
are there no black people I didn’t
are there no black people I didn’t understand this so then what I decided
understand this so then what I decided
understand this so then what I decided to do is go ahead and do a little bit of
to do is go ahead and do a little bit of
to do is go ahead and do a little bit of research and look research study abroad
research and look research study abroad
research and look research study abroad students and I realized this at a
students and I realized this at a
students and I realized this at a 300,000 study abroad students 5% were
300,000 study abroad students 5% were
300,000 study abroad students 5% were black that is a huge problem so then I
black that is a huge problem so then I
black that is a huge problem so then I went back a little bit further and I
went back a little bit further and I
went back a little bit further and I asked high school girls you know do you
asked high school girls you know do you
asked high school girls you know do you want to study abroad like black girls do
want to study abroad like black girls do
want to study abroad like black girls do you want is it something that you want
you want is it something that you want
you want is it something that you want to do or international and they’ve
to do or international and they’ve
to do or international and they’ve literally laughed at me and they were
literally laughed at me and they were
literally laughed at me and they were like like to wear and I’m like I don’t
like like to wear and I’m like I don’t
like like to wear and I’m like I don’t know Spain or whatever they were like
know Spain or whatever they were like
know Spain or whatever they were like Niagara Falls I’m like that’s fine and I
Niagara Falls I’m like that’s fine and I
Niagara Falls I’m like that’s fine and I was like no shade whatever
was like no shade whatever
was like no shade whatever and I said but what about like going
and I said but what about like going
and I said but what about like going overseas and they were like nobody has
overseas and they were like nobody has
overseas and they were like nobody has money for that no one does that
money for that no one does that
money for that no one does that white people do that and I said really
white people do that and I said really
white people do that and I said really and I said you know what I can
and I said you know what I can
and I said you know what I can understand how you think that because
understand how you think that because
understand how you think that because when I was little I thought a rocket
when I was little I thought a rocket
when I was little I thought a rocket ship had to take me to see the Eiffel
ship had to take me to see the Eiffel
ship had to take me to see the Eiffel Tower so then that all made sense and I
Tower so then that all made sense and I
Tower so then that all made sense and I was like I get it you don’t have any
was like I get it you don’t have any
was like I get it you don’t have any money I get it
money I get it
money I get it one in five girls lives in poverty 60%
one in five girls lives in poverty 60%
one in five girls lives in poverty 60% of those are african-american
of those are african-american
of those are african-american that brings us back to but what can we
that brings us back to but what can we
that brings us back to but what can we do about it right what can we actually
do about it right what can we actually
do about it right what can we actually do we can’t let this continue it’s not
do we can’t let this continue it’s not
do we can’t let this continue it’s not there and it’s not right these girls
there and it’s not right these girls
there and it’s not right these girls think they have no money so you don’t
think they have no money so you don’t
think they have no money so you don’t even try all right if they don’t study
even try all right if they don’t study
even try all right if they don’t study abroad if they don’t even think they can
abroad if they don’t even think they can
abroad if they don’t even think they can go international what makes them think
go international what makes them think
go international what makes them think they want to be US diplomats they don’t
they want to be US diplomats they don’t
they want to be US diplomats they don’t even know what foreign sir
even know what foreign sir
even know what foreign sir what I did is say how can I actually
what I did is say how can I actually
what I did is say how can I actually create something that’s gonna make girls
create something that’s gonna make girls
create something that’s gonna make girls citizens of the world and not just
citizens of the world and not just
citizens of the world and not just citizens in the world so what I did in
citizens in the world so what I did in
citizens in the world so what I did in 2004 along with some friends is create
2004 along with some friends is create
2004 along with some friends is create an organization called bigger world we
an organization called bigger world we
an organization called bigger world we had no idea what we were doing we just
had no idea what we were doing we just
had no idea what we were doing we just were like you’re gonna get these
were like you’re gonna get these
were like you’re gonna get these passports and travel so be girl world
passports and travel so be girl world
passports and travel so be girl world started in Philadelphia we started with
started in Philadelphia we started with
started in Philadelphia we started with 12 girls what we did with them is a 2
12 girls what we did with them is a 2
12 girls what we did with them is a 2 year global education and travel program
year global education and travel program
year global education and travel program we got them all passports we taught them
we got them all passports we taught them
we got them all passports we taught them how to make things like sushi and if you
how to make things like sushi and if you
how to make things like sushi and if you know black girls they don’t like sushi
know black girls they don’t like sushi
know black girls they don’t like sushi like they’d open all you have sushi they
like they’d open all you have sushi they
like they’d open all you have sushi they were like what is sushi I don’t want raw
were like what is sushi I don’t want raw
were like what is sushi I don’t want raw fish I’m like have avocados we taught
fish I’m like have avocados we taught
fish I’m like have avocados we taught them how to dance to do different
them how to dance to do different
them how to dance to do different international dances we taught them that
international dances we taught them that
international dances we taught them that they belong here they belong everywhere
they belong here they belong everywhere
they belong here they belong everywhere because at that point they had not even
because at that point they had not even
because at that point they had not even thought or imagined or dreamed that they
thought or imagined or dreamed that they
thought or imagined or dreamed that they could actually travel somewhere abroad
could actually travel somewhere abroad
could actually travel somewhere abroad we now have we actually also took them
we now have we actually also took them
we now have we actually also took them to Europe we took them to London and we
to Europe we took them to London and we
to Europe we took them to London and we took them to Paris and it was
took them to Paris and it was
took them to Paris and it was interesting when we got to Paris the
interesting when we got to Paris the
interesting when we got to Paris the first thing they said was I said look at
first thing they said was I said look at
first thing they said was I said look at the Eiffel Tower they were like but
the Eiffel Tower they were like but
the Eiffel Tower they were like but isn’t there is that the real one and I
isn’t there is that the real one and I
isn’t there is that the real one and I was like I was like yes that’s the real
was like I was like yes that’s the real
was like I was like yes that’s the real one and they said well I thought the
one and they said well I thought the
one and they said well I thought the real ones in Las Vegas and I’m like no
real ones in Las Vegas and I’m like no
real ones in Las Vegas and I’m like no and we’re not going to Vegas by the way
and we’re not going to Vegas by the way
and we’re not going to Vegas by the way so they didn’t even realize that that
so they didn’t even realize that that
so they didn’t even realize that that was actually the Eiffel Tower and so
was actually the Eiffel Tower and so
was actually the Eiffel Tower and so they’re not we acted that exercise we
they’re not we acted that exercise we
they’re not we acted that exercise we said to them we said ok now that you’ve
said to them we said ok now that you’ve
said to them we said ok now that you’ve had this trip what did you feel like
had this trip what did you feel like
had this trip what did you feel like what are the things that you experienced
what are the things that you experienced
what are the things that you experienced going to another country and this is
going to another country and this is
going to another country and this is what they came up with they have so much
what they came up with they have so much
what they came up with they have so much self-confidence more than what they had
self-confidence more than what they had
self-confidence more than what they had before they have a worldly view the bias
before they have a worldly view the bias
before they have a worldly view the bias of anything that they ever thought of
of anything that they ever thought of
of anything that they ever thought of the world is gone so then I thought to
the world is gone so then I thought to
the world is gone so then I thought to myself well what were you going to do
myself well what were you going to do
myself well what were you going to do with this and they said you know what
with this and they said you know what
with this and they said you know what miss diva we want to study abroad we
miss diva we want to study abroad we
miss diva we want to study abroad we want to learn more about Foreign Service
want to learn more about Foreign Service
want to learn more about Foreign Service and we want to do Peace Corps and I was
and we want to do Peace Corps and I was
and we want to do Peace Corps and I was like peas for I was like that’s two
like peas for I was like that’s two
like peas for I was like that’s two years and they were like we want to do
years and they were like we want to do
years and they were like we want to do Peace Corps and right now we have a girl
Peace Corps and right now we have a girl
Peace Corps and right now we have a girl that’s applying the Peace Corps
that’s applying the Peace Corps
that’s applying the Peace Corps program right so we know that it works
program right so we know that it works
program right so we know that it works right so these when we start went to
right so these when we start went to
right so these when we start went to Europe these were the girls on the plane
Europe these were the girls on the plane
Europe these were the girls on the plane they were scared
they were scared
they were scared I mean shitless right and I was very
I mean shitless right and I was very
I mean shitless right and I was very lucky because President Obama’s birthday
lucky because President Obama’s birthday
lucky because President Obama’s birthday party was the same night that we were
party was the same night that we were
party was the same night that we were leaving so I didn’t get to fly with them
leaving so I didn’t get to fly with them
leaving so I didn’t get to fly with them there but they send me this photo and
there but they send me this photo and
there but they send me this photo and I’m like you guys okay they’re like we
I’m like you guys okay they’re like we
I’m like you guys okay they’re like we don’t know we don’t know but this was on
don’t know we don’t know but this was on
don’t know we don’t know but this was on our way to Europe and you could just
our way to Europe and you could just
our way to Europe and you could just look at their faces and look how excited
look at their faces and look how excited
look at their faces and look how excited they are to be there look at them at the
they are to be there look at them at the
they are to be there look at them at the Notre Dame they were just so excited
Notre Dame they were just so excited
Notre Dame they were just so excited they didn’t even realize they could be
they didn’t even realize they could be
they didn’t even realize they could be there people were staring at them and
there people were staring at them and
there people were staring at them and instead of them getting defensive like
instead of them getting defensive like
instead of them getting defensive like us Philly girls always do right always
us Philly girls always do right always
us Philly girls always do right always is that they just answered questions
is that they just answered questions
is that they just answered questions about their hair about the way they
about their hair about the way they
about their hair about the way they talked about their clothing about their
talked about their clothing about their
talked about their clothing about their lipstick about their skin and I told
lipstick about their skin and I told
lipstick about their skin and I told them don’t be angry when people want to
them don’t be angry when people want to
them don’t be angry when people want to talk to you about being black because
talk to you about being black because
talk to you about being black because some of these people have never seen
some of these people have never seen
some of these people have never seen black people they’ve seen athletes on TV
black people they’ve seen athletes on TV
black people they’ve seen athletes on TV but that’s about it and so now we’re in
but that’s about it and so now we’re in
but that’s about it and so now we’re in our year two and now our year two we
our year two and now our year two we
our year two and now our year two we have a new class our new class just
have a new class our new class just
have a new class our new class just started and our new class is fresh faces
started and our new class is fresh faces
started and our new class is fresh faces of freshmen and high school girls all
of freshmen and high school girls all
of freshmen and high school girls all black who say I’m not getting on the
black who say I’m not getting on the
black who say I’m not getting on the plane and I’m like but you will they’re
plane and I’m like but you will they’re
plane and I’m like but you will they’re like we’re not going on a plane we want
like we’re not going on a plane we want
like we’re not going on a plane we want to leave home and I said these are the
to leave home and I said these are the
to leave home and I said these are the benefits of going if you decide to go so
benefits of going if you decide to go so
benefits of going if you decide to go so now we’re at a point of what do we do
now we’re at a point of what do we do
now we’re at a point of what do we do with this right we have three choices we
with this right we have three choices we
with this right we have three choices we can challenge the system which let’s be
can challenge the system which let’s be
can challenge the system which let’s be honest the system needs to be challenged
honest the system needs to be challenged
honest the system needs to be challenged there is no reason why at a university
there is no reason why at a university
there is no reason why at a university or academic level that there are not
or academic level that there are not
or academic level that there are not more black students recruited to study
more black students recruited to study
more black students recruited to study abroad let’s just call it what it is
abroad let’s just call it what it is
abroad let’s just call it what it is right at the Foreign Service level with
right at the Foreign Service level with
right at the Foreign Service level with State Department that’s another issue
State Department that’s another issue
State Department that’s another issue why are there not more black Foreign
why are there not more black Foreign
why are there not more black Foreign Service officers what is the issue here
Service officers what is the issue here
Service officers what is the issue here right so we need to do a few things
right so we need to do a few things
right so we need to do a few things ourselves number one we need to look
ourselves number one we need to look
ourselves number one we need to look around sometimes look at your spaces
around sometimes look at your spaces
around sometimes look at your spaces because the space which we are in
because the space which we are in
because the space which we are in everything represents something that’s
everything represents something that’s
everything represents something that’s wrong with the world if you see that
wrong with the world if you see that
wrong with the world if you see that you’re in a space that’s all white maybe
you’re in a space that’s all white maybe
you’re in a space that’s all white maybe you need to figure out how to bring some
you need to figure out how to bring some
you need to figure out how to bring some brown people into the equation here
brown people into the equation here
brown people into the equation here right and I’m not just talking about in
right and I’m not just talking about in
right and I’m not just talking about in this room I’m talking about in your life
this room I’m talking about in your life
this room I’m talking about in your life in general
in general
in general just probably most of us have that you
just probably most of us have that you
just probably most of us have that you think nothing is wrong when you’re
think nothing is wrong when you’re
think nothing is wrong when you’re surrounded by everybody that looks the
surrounded by everybody that looks the
surrounded by everybody that looks the same there is something fundamentally
same there is something fundamentally
same there is something fundamentally wrong with that right and there is
wrong with that right and there is
wrong with that right and there is something fundamentally wrong there is
something fundamentally wrong there is
something fundamentally wrong there is something fundamentally wrong when we
something fundamentally wrong when we
something fundamentally wrong when we are thinking to ourselves
are thinking to ourselves
are thinking to ourselves let’s go represent the USA this
let’s go represent the USA this
let’s go represent the USA this multicultural we love to brag about how
multicultural we love to brag about how
multicultural we love to brag about how great we are and how we love everyone
great we are and how we love everyone
great we are and how we love everyone but yet the people representing us and
but yet the people representing us and
but yet the people representing us and representing this country don’t look
representing this country don’t look
representing this country don’t look like us at all that is a problem right
like us at all that is a problem right
like us at all that is a problem right and not only that now you have girls
and not only that now you have girls
and not only that now you have girls thinking that they can never live up to
thinking that they can never live up to
thinking that they can never live up to whatever their colleagues do that are
whatever their colleagues do that are
whatever their colleagues do that are not black right they say to themselves
not black right they say to themselves
not black right they say to themselves well those are reserved for white girls
well those are reserved for white girls
well those are reserved for white girls that’s reserved I don’t do I don’t do
that’s reserved I don’t do I don’t do
that’s reserved I don’t do I don’t do study abroad and I say yes you do you
study abroad and I say yes you do you
study abroad and I say yes you do you belong there you belong there
belong there you belong there
belong there you belong there so our my message to you is a challenge
so our my message to you is a challenge
so our my message to you is a challenge yourself rate challenge yourself
yourself rate challenge yourself
yourself rate challenge yourself challenges system challenge our youth
challenges system challenge our youth
challenges system challenge our youth because we look at it like more programs
because we look at it like more programs
because we look at it like more programs be made for all these girls but we never
be made for all these girls but we never
be made for all these girls but we never look at what we need to do as adults
look at what we need to do as adults
look at what we need to do as adults right it’s not all them if it’s if it’s
right it’s not all them if it’s if it’s
right it’s not all them if it’s if it’s a problem across the board it’s not all
a problem across the board it’s not all
a problem across the board it’s not all them so I challenge you to be bold and
them so I challenge you to be bold and
them so I challenge you to be bold and revolutionary in your participation to
revolutionary in your participation to
revolutionary in your participation to enact change we have to do that you have
enact change we have to do that you have
enact change we have to do that you have to do that these girls are counting on
to do that these girls are counting on
to do that these girls are counting on you and it’s not fair to them right that
you and it’s not fair to them right that
you and it’s not fair to them right that they don’t they get shortchange of
they don’t they get shortchange of
they don’t they get shortchange of opportunities I’m doing the work working
opportunities I’m doing the work working
opportunities I’m doing the work working with the girls I urge you to do the work
with the girls I urge you to do the work
with the girls I urge you to do the work and work against the system thank you
and work against the system thank you
and work against the system thank you [Applause]
”
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