Tell Your Story, or Someone Else Will Tell It for You
Jasmine Fluker M.Ed
Founder of the Pivotal Paradigm Project + EDify App | DEIB Strategist | Executive Professional & Coach [Niche: Identity + Human Centered Leadership]| Speaker | Content Maven & Personal Branding Coach
Tell Your Story, or Someone Else Will Tell It for You
Storytelling is a lifeline—a bridge between who you are and how the world sees you. It’s how we claim space, shape legacies, and spark change. Yet, many people silence their stories, unsure of their value. But here’s the truth: your story holds power. If you don’t tell it, someone else will—and their version may not honor your truth.
Why Owning Your Narrative Matters Owning your narrative is essential to living your truth and shaping your impact. When you claim your story, you define your values, your purpose, and how you show up in the world. In my work, I’ve seen how storytelling transforms spaces, creating connection, driving change, and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard. Owning your narrative is a radical act of self-definition in a world eager to define you first.
Kendrick Lamar: A Masterclass in Ownership Take Kendrick Lamar—Pulitzer Prize winner and griot of our time. Alongside Kendrick, consider other iconic storytellers like Zora Neale Hurston, who preserved Black Southern dialects and folklore, and Toni Morrison, known for centering Black lives and histories in her novels. Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance wasn’t just music; it was a statement, echoing the legacy of those who came before him.: A Masterclass in Ownership** Take Kendrick Lamar—Pulitzer Prize winner and griot of our time. His Super Bowl performance wasn’t just music; it was a statement. Kendrick used his artistry to tell the story of his people, his pain, and his pride—on his terms. His performance echoes through culture because it was unapologetically his narrative, crafted from his lived experience.
The Stories That Endure Our ancestors knew that stories outlast everything. Through oral traditions, spirituals, and protest songs, they preserved history and passed down wisdom. These stories were blueprints for justice and resilience. Long after structures crumble, it is stories that survive to remind us who we were and who we can become.
The Cost of Silence When you don't own your story, you leave space for distortion. The world will fill in the blanks with stereotypes, assumptions, or erasure. Silence isn’t neutrality—it’s a loss of agency over your truth and your impact.
Storytelling as a Force for Change Stories create movements. #MeToo, Black Lives Matter—these moments of collective storytelling transformed society. But storytelling is also deeply personal. Your voice, your journey, and your perspective can shift hearts and minds, inspiring both understanding and action.
So, Why Should You Tell Your Story? Because no one else can tell it like you. Your story is a gift—to yourself, your community, and those who come after you. It holds the power to inspire, to educate, and to transform.
Reflection Question: What story within you is waiting to be told—and how will you make sure it’s yours to tell?
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About Jasmine Fluker
Jasmine Fluker is a dynamic leader, strategist, and storyteller with over a decade of experience driving transformative change at the intersections of equity, leadership, and community. As the Founder of The Pivotal Paradigm Project, Jasmine has redefined how organizations approach diversity, equity, and inclusion through innovative strategies and community-driven solutions.
Jasmine is also the creator of Equity Insights with Jas and The Equity Edit, two influential newsletters that spark thought-provoking discussions, amplify underrepresented voices, and inspire meaningful action. Her expertise spans strategic planning, DEI coaching, and community organizing, all rooted in a deep commitment to fostering collective liberation and human-centered leadership.
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Executive Coach & DEI Consultant| Human-Centered Design Expert| Speaker| Strategic Planning Guru| I help companies take strategic action to improve culture and data around employee engagement and belonging.
2 周Yes to this, "If you're silent they'll kill you and say you enjoyed it," Zora's word are still so relevant as we're watching folks trying to rewrite history in real time.
I help leaders build liberatory cultures so their teams can become more unified so they can focus on their mission and do great work together. Looking for Co-Conspirators to Change the World.
3 周AMEN! One big theme for me this year has been the importance of remembering the stories and lessons of those who came before us. Thank you for the reminder to remember our own stories and lessons Jasmine Fluker M.Ed.