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Untold RVA – 5 Things: Social Innovators’ Edition | Free Egunfemi | TEDxYouth@RVA


we the people of Richmond Virginia have

we the people of Richmond Virginia have a fascinating story to tell and I

a fascinating story to tell and I

a fascinating story to tell and I believe that we can inspire generations

believe that we can inspire generations

believe that we can inspire generations by the things that have been left out of

by the things that have been left out of

by the things that have been left out of our historical record I’m free I go and

our historical record I’m free I go and

our historical record I’m free I go and Femi and this is what I was born to do

Femi and this is what I was born to do

Femi and this is what I was born to do my daughter is actually born to do this

my daughter is actually born to do this

my daughter is actually born to do this as well when she was born our elders

as well when she was born our elders

as well when she was born our elders said teacher everything you know don’t

said teacher everything you know don’t

said teacher everything you know don’t let her move make sure she’s right there

let her move make sure she’s right there

let her move make sure she’s right there front and center with you so that she

front and center with you so that she

front and center with you so that she can be inspired in the same way that you

can be inspired in the same way that you

can be inspired in the same way that you want to inspire others start at home

want to inspire others start at home

want to inspire others start at home make sure you don’t do this as an

make sure you don’t do this as an

make sure you don’t do this as an external thing work from the inside work

external thing work from the inside work

external thing work from the inside work with your family first and so that’s why

with your family first and so that’s why

with your family first and so that’s why you’ll notice that behind us we had a

you’ll notice that behind us we had a

you’ll notice that behind us we had a picture of our ancestors along this

picture of our ancestors along this

picture of our ancestors along this ancestor altar that I created I’ve been

ancestor altar that I created I’ve been

ancestor altar that I created I’ve been doing this for a long time anyway but I

doing this for a long time anyway but I

doing this for a long time anyway but I hadn’t really thought of how it could

hadn’t really thought of how it could

hadn’t really thought of how it could actually inspire those in my beloved

actually inspire those in my beloved

actually inspire those in my beloved city our beloved City our VA until I sat

city our beloved City our VA until I sat

city our beloved City our VA until I sat down with some elders and they said you

down with some elders and they said you

down with some elders and they said you know you come from a long line in

know you come from a long line in

know you come from a long line in Nigeria of those who actually held on to

Nigeria of those who actually held on to

Nigeria of those who actually held on to these ancestral stories and elevated

these ancestral stories and elevated

these ancestral stories and elevated this this was something that was going

this this was something that was going

this this was something that was going on in your bloodline free long before

on in your bloodline free long before

on in your bloodline free long before they were ever enslaved I am the

they were ever enslaved I am the

they were ever enslaved I am the daughter of a field negro my grandfather

daughter of a field negro my grandfather

daughter of a field negro my grandfather and my great-grandfather picked cotton

and my great-grandfather picked cotton

and my great-grandfather picked cotton here we were enslaved and probably sold

here we were enslaved and probably sold

here we were enslaved and probably sold on the auction blocks in Richmond

on the auction blocks in Richmond

on the auction blocks in Richmond Virginia so it’s not like I actually had

Virginia so it’s not like I actually had

Virginia so it’s not like I actually had a connection to the continent that I

a connection to the continent that I

a connection to the continent that I could actually say I can speak in these

could actually say I can speak in these

could actually say I can speak in these languages and then I understand the

languages and then I understand the

languages and then I understand the foods this was a reclaimed effort this

foods this was a reclaimed effort this

foods this was a reclaimed effort this was something that I went into the past

was something that I went into the past

was something that I went into the past to pull into the future so that I could

to pull into the future so that I could

to pull into the future so that I could presently be as strong as possible and

presently be as strong as possible and

presently be as strong as possible and Eglin femi means my ancestors loved me

Eglin femi means my ancestors loved me

Eglin femi means my ancestors loved me and when I found out that I was like

and when I found out that I was like

and when I found out that I was like well I got it honest I might as well

well I got it honest I might as well

well I got it honest I might as well move forward but I didn’t really know

move forward but I didn’t really know

move forward but I didn’t really know how I can make that be something that

how I can make that be something that

how I can make that be something that was going to benefit my family and

was going to benefit my family and

was going to benefit my family and something that I could devote my life to

something that I could devote my life to

something that I could devote my life to as life’s work where you could actually

as life’s work where you could actually

as life’s work where you could actually make a living at it so I started by

make a living at it so I started by

make a living at it so I started by doing what I did for my ancestors but I

doing what I did for my ancestors but I

doing what I did for my ancestors but I made sure that it was in the context of

made sure that it was in the context of

made sure that it was in the context of the ancestors of Richmond so I put

the ancestors of Richmond so I put

the ancestors of Richmond so I put together these frames and they have

together these frames and they have

together these frames and they have pictures of these people from Richmond

pictures of these people from Richmond

pictures of these people from Richmond Virginia that had the

Virginia that had the

Virginia that had the narratives that I felt everybody should

narratives that I felt everybody should

narratives that I felt everybody should know about but no one did I mean we’re

know about but no one did I mean we’re

know about but no one did I mean we’re sitting on the midst of this incredible

sitting on the midst of this incredible

sitting on the midst of this incredible community legacy this ancestor story

community legacy this ancestor story

community legacy this ancestor story where people did these things that like

where people did these things that like

where people did these things that like I said can inspire generations from

I said can inspire generations from

I said can inspire generations from Richmond Virginia but like I couldn’t

Richmond Virginia but like I couldn’t

Richmond Virginia but like I couldn’t figure out why are they left out of the

figure out why are they left out of the

figure out why are they left out of the books like why did I not hear anything

books like why did I not hear anything

books like why did I not hear anything about these people these stories long

about these people these stories long

about these people these stories long ago and I even went to school here and

ago and I even went to school here and

ago and I even went to school here and my friends didn’t know about it and my

my friends didn’t know about it and my

my friends didn’t know about it and my my elders didn’t know about it no one

my elders didn’t know about it no one

my elders didn’t know about it no one here in Richmond seemed to know about

here in Richmond seemed to know about

here in Richmond seemed to know about these folks so I said all right boom let

these folks so I said all right boom let

these folks so I said all right boom let me talk to my friends and they started

me talk to my friends and they started

me talk to my friends and they started really coming to me over and over like

really coming to me over and over like

really coming to me over and over like free every time we’re getting ready to

free every time we’re getting ready to

free every time we’re getting ready to go out and hang out you’re in there

go out and hang out you’re in there

go out and hang out you’re in there reading books like what’s the deal

reading books like what’s the deal

reading books like what’s the deal you can’t like do this halfway you

you can’t like do this halfway you

you can’t like do this halfway you really need to do this but do it for

really need to do this but do it for

really need to do this but do it for your life’s work and so that’s the dream

your life’s work and so that’s the dream

your life’s work and so that’s the dream team I can remember when there was this

team I can remember when there was this

team I can remember when there was this startup competition here in the city and

startup competition here in the city and

startup competition here in the city and you had to submit your idea and I was

you had to submit your idea and I was

you had to submit your idea and I was chosen to do so and then with a

chosen to do so and then with a

chosen to do so and then with a democratic election of my peers they

democratic election of my peers they

democratic election of my peers they decided that untold r-va should become a

decided that untold r-va should become a

decided that untold r-va should become a thing until Daria is actually the

thing until Daria is actually the

thing until Daria is actually the People’s Choice for the creative

People’s Choice for the creative

People’s Choice for the creative advancement of the missing pieces within

advancement of the missing pieces within

advancement of the missing pieces within Richmond’s historical record that are

Richmond’s historical record that are

Richmond’s historical record that are hidden in plain sight and I believe that

hidden in plain sight and I believe that

hidden in plain sight and I believe that if we can actually get strength from

if we can actually get strength from

if we can actually get strength from those stories we can actually be just

those stories we can actually be just

those stories we can actually be just like the ancestors whose shoulders we

like the ancestors whose shoulders we

like the ancestors whose shoulders we stand on will be those for tomorrow for

stand on will be those for tomorrow for

stand on will be those for tomorrow for those of tomorrow those three colors

those of tomorrow those three colors

those of tomorrow those three colors that you see often times behind slides

that you see often times behind slides

that you see often times behind slides when I present or anytime that I’m going

when I present or anytime that I’m going

when I present or anytime that I’m going to put any kind of type of graphical

to put any kind of type of graphical

to put any kind of type of graphical content out there’s three colors it’s

content out there’s three colors it’s

content out there’s three colors it’s red black and green I represent

red black and green I represent

red black and green I represent everything based on the red black and

everything based on the red black and

everything based on the red black and green red being the bloodline of my

green red being the bloodline of my

green red being the bloodline of my ancestors being from the past the black

ancestors being from the past the black

ancestors being from the past the black is representing Who I am today as a

is representing Who I am today as a

is representing Who I am today as a black woman whose self determined in

black woman whose self determined in

black woman whose self determined in representing black excellence and the

representing black excellence and the

representing black excellence and the green is therefore the future for the

green is therefore the future for the

green is therefore the future for the fertility of the youth that will

fertility of the youth that will

fertility of the youth that will actually be in our spot tomorrow and so

actually be in our spot tomorrow and so

actually be in our spot tomorrow and so when I began to start actually applying

when I began to start actually applying

when I began to start actually applying this whole ancestor concept

this whole ancestor concept

this whole ancestor concept to the stories of Richmond that had been

to the stories of Richmond that had been

to the stories of Richmond that had been left out of the historical record if you

left out of the historical record if you

left out of the historical record if you notice I always have my cards on me now

notice I always have my cards on me now

notice I always have my cards on me now because I’m always ready I’m always

because I’m always ready I’m always

because I’m always ready I’m always ready to give out information about what

ready to give out information about what

ready to give out information about what I’m doing and how other people can be

I’m doing and how other people can be

I’m doing and how other people can be inspired there’s a little piece off the

inspired there’s a little piece off the

inspired there’s a little piece off the corner which represents the missing

corner which represents the missing

corner which represents the missing pieces of the historical narrative

pieces of the historical narrative

pieces of the historical narrative there’s backstories and everything if

there’s backstories and everything if

there’s backstories and everything if you just look for them and that’s where

you just look for them and that’s where

you just look for them and that’s where the magic is

the magic is

the magic is so I began setting up these ancestor

so I began setting up these ancestor

so I began setting up these ancestor altars and I actually started giving

altars and I actually started giving

altars and I actually started giving tours all over the city to these places

tours all over the city to these places

tours all over the city to these places that were weren’t even marked where

that were weren’t even marked where

that were weren’t even marked where these things happen where people could

these things happen where people could

these things happen where people could come there and I could see them actually

come there and I could see them actually

come there and I could see them actually being transformed by standing on this

being transformed by standing on this

being transformed by standing on this spot it was incredible and so if the

spot it was incredible and so if the

spot it was incredible and so if the stage has got bigger people started

stage has got bigger people started

stage has got bigger people started calling me to go all over the country

calling me to go all over the country

calling me to go all over the country like right now today I’ve got places

like right now today I’ve got places

like right now today I’ve got places lined up to go to Cary and brag on

lined up to go to Cary and brag on

lined up to go to Cary and brag on Richmond Virginia as much as I can in

Richmond Virginia as much as I can in

Richmond Virginia as much as I can in all these other states then people are

all these other states then people are

all these other states then people are like wow I got to come to Richmond and

like wow I got to come to Richmond and

like wow I got to come to Richmond and it makes me so happy to actually brag on

it makes me so happy to actually brag on

it makes me so happy to actually brag on us and share our stories to those who

us and share our stories to those who

us and share our stories to those who really wouldn’t have never even heard

really wouldn’t have never even heard

really wouldn’t have never even heard what we were doing but they’re huge huge

what we were doing but they’re huge huge

what we were doing but they’re huge huge opportunities to be able to give back to

opportunities to be able to give back to

opportunities to be able to give back to the world from the things that we’re all

the world from the things that we’re all

the world from the things that we’re all accomplishing right now today this is

accomplishing right now today this is

accomplishing right now today this is actually at the base of the Lee monument

actually at the base of the Lee monument

actually at the base of the Lee monument and it was thousands of people to hear

and it was thousands of people to hear

and it was thousands of people to hear me be able to talk about these things

me be able to talk about these things

me be able to talk about these things that I wanted me to make sure that would

that I wanted me to make sure that would

that I wanted me to make sure that would never be forgotten again 1 my ancestors

never be forgotten again 1 my ancestors

never be forgotten again 1 my ancestors love me too they are our first line of

love me too they are our first line of

love me too they are our first line of defense and 3 they did good and I will

defense and 3 they did good and I will

defense and 3 they did good and I will do good too to repeat that at 11:11

do good too to repeat that at 11:11

do good too to repeat that at 11:11 which is a time of the day where your

which is a time of the day where your

which is a time of the day where your dreams seem to be able to get the most

dreams seem to be able to get the most

dreams seem to be able to get the most velocity and I was telling people this

velocity and I was telling people this

velocity and I was telling people this and I could see it clicking even though

and I could see it clicking even though

and I could see it clicking even though it wasn’t something from their

it wasn’t something from their

it wasn’t something from their particular practice but it was something

particular practice but it was something

particular practice but it was something they could relate to and I knew I was on

they could relate to and I knew I was on

they could relate to and I knew I was on the right track so then being the fact

the right track so then being the fact

the right track so then being the fact that I’m surrounded by this creative

that I’m surrounded by this creative

that I’m surrounded by this creative community and all these people in

community and all these people in

community and all these people in Richmond Virginia that are also doing

Richmond Virginia that are also doing

Richmond Virginia that are also doing what they were born to do one day I ran

what they were born to do one day I ran

what they were born to do one day I ran upon this quote from Charles Kuralt who

upon this quote from Charles Kuralt who

upon this quote from Charles Kuralt who was one of the founders of Public

was one of the founders of Public

was one of the founders of Public Broadcasting System and he said I have

Broadcasting System and he said I have

Broadcasting System and he said I have become faintly aware that there is in

become faintly aware that there is in

become faintly aware that there is in this state and in this nation and in

this state and in this nation and in

this state and in this nation and in this world an association of men and

this world an association of men and

this world an association of men and women who while they may not even know

women who while they may not even know

women who while they may not even know each other might still be called a

each other might still be called a

each other might still be called a conspiracy of good people we are

conspiracy of good people we are

conspiracy of good people we are Fira sea of good people we all came

Fira sea of good people we all came

Fira sea of good people we all came today to be inspired by these ideas and

today to be inspired by these ideas and

today to be inspired by these ideas and carry them forward as seeds to plant so

carry them forward as seeds to plant so

carry them forward as seeds to plant so the future we’ll be able to stand on our

the future we’ll be able to stand on our

the future we’ll be able to stand on our shoulders because we remembered these

shoulders because we remembered these

shoulders because we remembered these stories from the past one time I had a

stories from the past one time I had a

stories from the past one time I had a friend it was not too long ago

friend it was not too long ago

friend it was not too long ago his name is Ryan and he was getting

his name is Ryan and he was getting

his name is Ryan and he was getting ready to set up this Center of

ready to set up this Center of

ready to set up this Center of innovation in the north side of Highland

innovation in the north side of Highland

innovation in the north side of Highland Park and he said to me free

Park and he said to me free

Park and he said to me free we believe that presence is power and we

we believe that presence is power and we

we believe that presence is power and we want you to be present in Highland Park

want you to be present in Highland Park

want you to be present in Highland Park so that the youth will understand how to

so that the youth will understand how to

so that the youth will understand how to move forward on their dreams we want you

move forward on their dreams we want you

move forward on their dreams we want you to become the social innovator in

to become the social innovator in

to become the social innovator in residence at our new center to great

residence at our new center to great

residence at our new center to great acclaim the center opened and I was able

acclaim the center opened and I was able

acclaim the center opened and I was able to establish storefront studio in the

to establish storefront studio in the

to establish storefront studio in the back of their warehouse which is about

back of their warehouse which is about

back of their warehouse which is about 7,000 square feet and inside of that I’m

7,000 square feet and inside of that I’m

7,000 square feet and inside of that I’m able to think of a dream of all these

able to think of a dream of all these

able to think of a dream of all these things that are related to our history

things that are related to our history

things that are related to our history and creative ways of how I could get it

and creative ways of how I could get it

and creative ways of how I could get it out and share it with the people and

out and share it with the people and

out and share it with the people and then the conspiracy of good people grew

then the conspiracy of good people grew

then the conspiracy of good people grew and people began to start coming even in

and people began to start coming even in

and people began to start coming even in 2017 when we opened our Center it seems

2017 when we opened our Center it seems

2017 when we opened our Center it seems like every week someone is saying please

like every week someone is saying please

like every week someone is saying please can I bring my students from the

can I bring my students from the

can I bring my students from the University please can you come and speak

University please can you come and speak

University please can you come and speak to us on this stage can you get on this

to us on this stage can you get on this

to us on this stage can you get on this plane can you tell us what you’re

plane can you tell us what you’re

plane can you tell us what you’re accomplishing what are you and your

accomplishing what are you and your

accomplishing what are you and your friends doing in the city of Richmond

friends doing in the city of Richmond

friends doing in the city of Richmond that we can use where we live to change

that we can use where we live to change

that we can use where we live to change our world the way that you’ve changed

our world the way that you’ve changed

our world the way that you’ve changed your world in your city of r-va and so I

your world in your city of r-va and so I

your world in your city of r-va and so I realized at that point I am like legit

realized at that point I am like legit

realized at that point I am like legit even though I didn’t graduate college I

even though I didn’t graduate college I

even though I didn’t graduate college I don’t say social innovator

don’t say social innovator

don’t say social innovator there’s no confusing it and I wanted to

there’s no confusing it and I wanted to

there’s no confusing it and I wanted to make sure that anybody in this room that

make sure that anybody in this room that

make sure that anybody in this room that has a dream or an idea understands that

has a dream or an idea understands that

has a dream or an idea understands that it can actually be your life’s work and

it can actually be your life’s work and

it can actually be your life’s work and you can find a way to commodify

you can find a way to commodify

you can find a way to commodify commodify and monetize that so that you

commodify and monetize that so that you

commodify and monetize that so that you can actually derive a living at doing

can actually derive a living at doing

can actually derive a living at doing what you were born to do

what you were born to do

what you were born to do I believe that self determined social

I believe that self determined social

I believe that self determined social innovators on the front line are natural

innovators on the front line are natural

innovators on the front line are natural leaders who despite surviving a range of

leaders who despite surviving a range of

leaders who despite surviving a range of cultural trauma still commit ourselves

cultural trauma still commit ourselves

cultural trauma still commit ourselves to the work of dismantling the systemic

to the work of dismantling the systemic

to the work of dismantling the systemic inequities threatening authentic social

inequities threatening authentic social

inequities threatening authentic social progress so now we’re going to play the

progress so now we’re going to play the

progress so now we’re going to play the untold r-va five things social

untold r-va five things social

untold r-va five things social innovators Edition are you all ready to

innovators Edition are you all ready to

innovators Edition are you all ready to play

play

play okay boom let’s do this here’s the rules

okay boom let’s do this here’s the rules

okay boom let’s do this here’s the rules you got here five things first of all

you got here five things first of all

you got here five things first of all who’s ever heard of two truths and one

who’s ever heard of two truths and one

who’s ever heard of two truths and one lie okay this is what we’re gonna do

lie okay this is what we’re gonna do

lie okay this is what we’re gonna do you’ve been here five things one of them

you’ve been here five things one of them

you’ve been here five things one of them is bogus and then you raise your hand to

is bogus and then you raise your hand to

is bogus and then you raise your hand to figure it out okay first one John

figure it out okay first one John

figure it out okay first one John Mitchell jr. John Mitchell jr. as you

Mitchell jr. John Mitchell jr. as you

Mitchell jr. John Mitchell jr. as you can see him these are the five things of

can see him these are the five things of

can see him these are the five things of him decide which one is untrue Richmond

him decide which one is untrue Richmond

him decide which one is untrue Richmond Public Schools fired him for being too

Public Schools fired him for being too

Public Schools fired him for being too RBG raise your hand if you think that

RBG raise your hand if you think that

RBG raise your hand if you think that was untrue his newspaper logo was a

was untrue his newspaper logo was a

was untrue his newspaper logo was a black fist raise your hand if you think

black fist raise your hand if you think

black fist raise your hand if you think that was untrue he became the editor at

that was untrue he became the editor at

that was untrue he became the editor at 21 he was extremely rich and that he

21 he was extremely rich and that he

21 he was extremely rich and that he trolled lynchers mercilessly he was also

trolled lynchers mercilessly he was also

trolled lynchers mercilessly he was also the founder of the Richmond Planet

the founder of the Richmond Planet

the founder of the Richmond Planet newspaper so all of you that raised your

newspaper so all of you that raised your

newspaper so all of you that raised your hands to anything else except for the

hands to anything else except for the

hands to anything else except for the fact that he was extremely rich he was

fact that he was extremely rich he was

fact that he was extremely rich he was not extremely rich everything else is

not extremely rich everything else is

not extremely rich everything else is true please look up John Mitchell jr.

true please look up John Mitchell jr.

true please look up John Mitchell jr. make sure that you are inspired by him

make sure that you are inspired by him

make sure that you are inspired by him especially if you have any interest in

especially if you have any interest in

especially if you have any interest in blogging publishing or telling

blogging publishing or telling

blogging publishing or telling narratives from your own pen on your own

narratives from your own pen on your own

narratives from your own pen on your own computer on your own laptop the second

computer on your own laptop the second

computer on your own laptop the second one is Mary Wingfield scott mhairi

one is Mary Wingfield scott mhairi

one is Mary Wingfield scott mhairi Winfield Scott I love her because if it

Winfield Scott I love her because if it

Winfield Scott I love her because if it wasn’t for her achievements and going

wasn’t for her achievements and going

wasn’t for her achievements and going against the grain Real Talk we would not

against the grain Real Talk we would not

against the grain Real Talk we would not even have the Richmond that we had today

even have the Richmond that we had today

even have the Richmond that we had today she preserved the majority of the

she preserved the majority of the

she preserved the majority of the buildings that were going to be

buildings that were going to be

buildings that were going to be destroyed here in the city by herself

destroyed here in the city by herself

destroyed here in the city by herself here’s five quotes of hers raise your

here’s five quotes of hers raise your

here’s five quotes of hers raise your hand which one you think she didn’t say

hand which one you think she didn’t say

hand which one you think she didn’t say that airplane okay so this one was about

that airplane okay so this one was about

that airplane okay so this one was about the War Memorial you guys know what’s

the War Memorial you guys know what’s

the War Memorial you guys know what’s going on Belvedere that big building

going on Belvedere that big building

going on Belvedere that big building right by Browns Island you can overlook

right by Browns Island you can overlook

right by Browns Island you can overlook and see all right she said that airplane

and see all right she said that airplane

and see all right she said that airplane hangar with the lady inside breaking her

hangar with the lady inside breaking her

hangar with the lady inside breaking her neck okay do you think she said that

neck okay do you think she said that

neck okay do you think she said that about the about the airplane hangar

about the about the airplane hangar

about the about the airplane hangar raise your hand if you think that that

raise your hand if you think that that

raise your hand if you think that that was untrue that she said that okay the

was untrue that she said that okay the

was untrue that she said that okay the second one I don’t work for anyone do

second one I don’t work for anyone do

second one I don’t work for anyone do you think she said that don’t write on

you think she said that don’t write on

you think she said that don’t write on my tombstone died of errands do you

my tombstone died of errands do you

my tombstone died of errands do you think she said that

think she said that

think she said that okay the fourth one people with no taste

okay the fourth one people with no taste

okay the fourth one people with no taste are the majority do you think she said

are the majority do you think she said

are the majority do you think she said that and then the fifth one is Edgar

that and then the fifth one is Edgar

that and then the fifth one is Edgar Allan Poe was a total loser do you think

Allan Poe was a total loser do you think

Allan Poe was a total loser do you think she said that you don’t think that’s

she said that you don’t think that’s

she said that you don’t think that’s true she didn’t say that good job

true she didn’t say that good job

true she didn’t say that good job awesome okay and then the third one is

awesome okay and then the third one is

awesome okay and then the third one is Lorna Pinkney that’s my dear sister she

Lorna Pinkney that’s my dear sister she

Lorna Pinkney that’s my dear sister she ran versus which is a poetry spot and

ran versus which is a poetry spot and

ran versus which is a poetry spot and she passed away here recently she’s the

she passed away here recently she’s the

she passed away here recently she’s the embodiment of black excellence do you

embodiment of black excellence do you

embodiment of black excellence do you believe that she grew up with Biggie

believe that she grew up with Biggie

believe that she grew up with Biggie Smalls do you think that’s not true do

Smalls do you think that’s not true do

Smalls do you think that’s not true do you think that she wore Chuck Taylors

you think that she wore Chuck Taylors

you think that she wore Chuck Taylors daily do you think that was not true

daily do you think that was not true

daily do you think that was not true versus her poetry organization being in

versus her poetry organization being in

versus her poetry organization being in little Africa do you think that was not

little Africa do you think that was not

little Africa do you think that was not true how about that she was holding

true how about that she was holding

true how about that she was holding verses even in the Hurricanes do you

verses even in the Hurricanes do you

verses even in the Hurricanes do you think that was not true or her favorite

think that was not true or her favorite

think that was not true or her favorite word was fresh do you think that was not

word was fresh do you think that was not

word was fresh do you think that was not true those of you just picked fresh know

true those of you just picked fresh know

true those of you just picked fresh know her best and favorite word was dope so

her best and favorite word was dope so

her best and favorite word was dope so you got that one right and then the last

you got that one right and then the last

you got that one right and then the last one I want to share with you are five

one I want to share with you are five

one I want to share with you are five things that I actually want you to

things that I actually want you to

things that I actually want you to remember when I’m gone so that you can

remember when I’m gone so that you can

remember when I’m gone so that you can tell people about what free egg Boone

tell people about what free egg Boone

tell people about what free egg Boone family taught you at TEDx okay you ready

family taught you at TEDx okay you ready

family taught you at TEDx okay you ready these are what I call my field notes

these are what I call my field notes

these are what I call my field notes from the front line number one always be

from the front line number one always be

from the front line number one always be self-determined look at this as the

self-determined look at this as the

self-determined look at this as the things that you can do to carry on what

things that you can do to carry on what

things that you can do to carry on what you were born to do regardless of what

you were born to do regardless of what

you were born to do regardless of what anyone else says regardless of whether

anyone else says regardless of whether

anyone else says regardless of whether or not you have the credential of the

or not you have the credential of the

or not you have the credential of the paper to prove that oh you deserve to do

paper to prove that oh you deserve to do

paper to prove that oh you deserve to do what you were born to do long as you

what you were born to do long as you

what you were born to do long as you know it inside do it baby

know it inside do it baby

know it inside do it baby don’t let anybody tell you that you can

don’t let anybody tell you that you can

don’t let anybody tell you that you can number two resistance these are the

number two resistance these are the

number two resistance these are the things that you actually can accomplish

things that you actually can accomplish

things that you actually can accomplish and the things that are in front of you

and the things that are in front of you

and the things that are in front of you to stop you you must resist them these

to stop you you must resist them these

to stop you you must resist them these things are set inside to make sure that

things are set inside to make sure that

things are set inside to make sure that you can’t accomplish but you know

you can’t accomplish but you know

you can’t accomplish but you know obviously you can’t because you’re self

obviously you can’t because you’re self

obviously you can’t because you’re self determined the third one is

determined the third one is

determined the third one is intersectionality this speaks to who you

intersectionality this speaks to who you

intersectionality this speaks to who you can work with that’s not normally part

can work with that’s not normally part

can work with that’s not normally part of your everyday find the people who are

of your everyday find the people who are

of your everyday find the people who are going to be your allies and work with

going to be your allies and work with

going to be your allies and work with them and definitely don’t pass up the

them and definitely don’t pass up the

them and definitely don’t pass up the help even though they might not look

help even though they might not look

help even though they might not look like you the fourth one is intellectual

like you the fourth one is intellectual

like you the fourth one is intellectual property it’s innovative content that is

property it’s innovative content that is

property it’s innovative content that is the result of self determined creativity

the result of self determined creativity

the result of self determined creativity to which one has rights for and for

to which one has rights for and for

to which one has rights for and for which one deserves both credit and

which one deserves both credit and

which one deserves both credit and compensation that means that you need to

compensation that means that you need to

compensation that means that you need to give props where props are due and

give props where props are due and

give props where props are due and so that you don’t bite or plagiarize

so that you don’t bite or plagiarize

so that you don’t bite or plagiarize other people’s stuff

other people’s stuff

other people’s stuff meaning if it’s not your idea don’t

meaning if it’s not your idea don’t

meaning if it’s not your idea don’t pretend like it is and make sure you

pretend like it is and make sure you

pretend like it is and make sure you shine the light on those who are

shine the light on those who are

shine the light on those who are brilliant in your midst no matter what

brilliant in your midst no matter what

brilliant in your midst no matter what and finally the final one please tell

and finally the final one please tell

and finally the final one please tell everybody that friggin Sammy told you

everybody that friggin Sammy told you

everybody that friggin Sammy told you that you can and that you will and that

that you can and that you will and that

that you can and that you will and that is the end of the story finally at the

is the end of the story finally at the

is the end of the story finally at the end of every talk that I give I do this

end of every talk that I give I do this

end of every talk that I give I do this thing and I want y’all to do with me

thing and I want y’all to do with me

thing and I want y’all to do with me right hands up

right hands up

right hands up fists in the air in honor of the

fists in the air in honor of the

fists in the air in honor of the self-determined and the social

self-determined and the social

self-determined and the social innovators of Richmond Virginia power to

innovators of Richmond Virginia power to

innovators of Richmond Virginia power to the people

the people

the people may it be so now say maybe so maybe so

”

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