Rise, Sister: Leading with Ancestral Power, Cultural Wisdom and Purpose
Karlyn Percil-Mercieca
FOUNDER & CEO: KDPM Equity Institute I Certified Emotional Intelligence, Neuro-Leadership Coach | As seen on: CITYLINE, OWN, Forbes, Essence
Hello beautiful warriors,
I'm thrilled and honored to share that I have been featured in Universal Write Publications (UWP), transforming the social sciences for a new generation of theory and practice.
UWP represents the voices of the African Diaspora by publishing and promoting academic books and?articles that enhance literacy and broaden world views through collective research using interdisciplinary?theories with an emphasis on African and Black-centered scholarship.
My first article and the feature was made possible thanks to Kem-Laurin Lubin, PhD-C who introduced me to the founder of Universal Write Publications , Dr. Ayo Sekai, Ph.D. I am grateful for this powerful sisterhood who saw my work and created space for this publication.
...................................................................................................................................................................................
Here's an excerpt from Rise, Sister: Leading with Ancestral Power, Cultural Wisdom and Purpose, a celebration letter to Black women in leadership. The published article is available here.
"Sis, let's talk about your innovation capital. You're the kind of woman who doesn't just work in innovation—you embody it. You've flourished in spaces that weren't always welcoming; you leveraged challenges as opportunities to create and innovate.
领英推荐
"Sis, you are exactly who you think you are.
You walk through this world carrying your experiences and your ancestors' deep, rich, rooted wisdom. This is the Sankofa principle we cannot forget. Your Cultural Wisdom Knots are woven from generations of stories, teachings, expertise, and experiences of those who came before you. This wisdom isn't just a memory—it's a living, breathing force that guides your leadership, shapes your decisions, and empowers you to create. Every choice you make is informed by an ancient strength, a profound knowing that bridges worlds—honoring both the past and future.
We are not limited by the hats we wear or the spaces we occupy. In policy, academia, activism, and leadership, Black women use this cultural wisdom to disrupt and reshape systems that weren't made for us. We have been denied access to formal knowledge systems for centuries, but our ancestors left us with something even more powerful—oral history, cultural traditions, and collective memory. While Eurocentric thought may dismiss poetry, oral storytelling, and cultural traditions as mere performances, we know better . These forms of expression are our history, lifeblood, and cultural roadmap to the future. We must draw on the knowledge of cultural elders, our youth, and leaders to advocate for including oral history and ethnography in research and curriculum development.
You walk through this world carrying your experiences and your ancestors' deep, rich, rooted wisdom. This is the Sankofa principle we cannot forget. Your Cultural Wisdom Knots are woven from generations of stories, teachings, expertise, and experiences of those who came before you. This wisdom isn't just a memory—it's a living, breathing force that guides your leadership, shapes your decisions, and empowers you to create. Every choice you make is informed by an ancient strength, a profound knowing that bridges worlds—honoring both the past and future.
Transformational leadership often comes at a personal cost. You carry the weight of entire communities while navigating spaces that don't always value you or your contributions. Yet, you press on. I see you. You've led with empathy, foresight, and a commitment to uplifting those around you. Collectively, we've created spaces where others feel safe enough to be bold, innovate, and dream bigger."
#AncestralLeadership #CulturalLeadership #SocialSciences #CuturalEquity #BlackWomenWork #Transformationalleadership #Innovationcapital
Thank you for reading and amplifying. Thank you to Universal Write Publications and Dr. Ayo Sekai, Ph.D. for this honour.
Ambassador of Canada to the World Trade Organization | Inclusive Growth | Dot Connector | Convener | Bridge Builder | Public Speaker | Mom | Optimist | Work in progress | First but not the last
1 周This is so powerful, Kaelyn. Thank you for writing it.
Executive | Continuous Improvement | Digital Transformation | Sales Performance | Business Innovation by design | Coaching
2 周It is such a pleasure to read this gemstone! Women are a major pillar of the black society. The Power Switch. One part of the cultural legacy!
Publisher | CEO | Speaker on Publishing HigherEd and Leadership | Linguistic Imperialism Scholar | Author of A2: A Scholarly Poetical Scientist Discourse | Fulbright Specialist ????
2 周Karlyn Percil-Mercieca, something powerful happens when we meet and find our village. We stand taller and shine brighter, knowing that the light we reflect is not hidden or diminished but shines brighter in the reflection of a sister shining back at you. This is who YOU are. This is who Kem-L Lubin, PhD-C is. This is who Dr. GALE T C RIGOBERT is. Every time we connect we seem to amplify each other. I cannot be more honored to have found my village among sisters who believe like me, and Universal Write Publications, that a rising tide, lifts all boats. You are brilliant, and I am grateful to be part of the story.