Diversity 2 Inclusion, Inc.

02/19/2026

Life has been BUSY.

With all of the things happening, domestically and globally, I gotta admit, some days it feels difficult to, as they say, “keep on keepin on.” The loss of major contracts, shifts in priorities and aims, increased demands, fears, and frustrations have changed my own life in unimaginable ways. Some days... gosh does it feel disheartening. I don’t know that depression has ever visited me as consistently as it has visited me in 2025- 26.

HOWEVER. I am reminded of the words of Shirley Chisholm often, “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” As such, I am still paying my rent. Even in these times, the work of Equity and Belonging is more important now than ever before. And, as the song poet proclaimed, “I don’t feel no ways tired!”

With all the changes, I find myself with a bit more time to think and process. So, I took some time to rethink, revamp, and reposition with my jaw set FIRMLY in the interest of Equity and Belonging.

I am excited about all the things I am rolling out in 2026!

Stay tuned because you ain’t even seen the half... Check out the revamp though. More to come.
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Diversity 2 Inclusion, Inc.

02/16/2026

New headshot alert! We are still here. Still motivating change. Still asking questions. Still encouraging belonging.

02/10/2026

It was so good to lead a discussion around the importance of mindfulness during Black History Month.

1. Our ancestors dreamed of rest and we are their wildest dreams. We have a responsibility to them to rest.
2. Purpose is why we are on Earth. To connect with our purpose, we must get into our bodies. Mindfulness brings us into our bodies and closer to purpose.
3. Mindfulness has always been a part of the Black experience. To survive, we have always had to go inside of our bodies and distance ourselves from worry of the future.

Mindfulness, rest, and connection to self is our birthright.

Happy Black History Month. ❤️🖤💚

01/09/2026

When I am stressed, I write. ✍🏽 I have so many books in my head and in the notes app of my phone. Here is a piece I started writing in 2023 after visiting Cuba. This present moment made me return to it and finish is. We’ve adapted to harm and oppression, I fear.
Read it. Locate yourself in it. Use the mindful practices included. Pause and take it in. Share if you feel so inclined. (I warn you, it’s long again.)
Here is a quote:
“The beauty of humanity is that we adapt. The sadness of humanity is that we adapt. People adapt to preserve joy, to preserve connection, to preserve dignity. And sometimes, people adapt at the expense of imagining anything different.”

Books, Curiosity, and the Long Arc Toward Cuba Growing up, my parents kept a lot of books in the house. We were a family that had annual editions of encyclopedias from World Book and Britannica. There was exposure to many different types of books and ideas. By the time I was a young teenager, I ha

12/26/2025

Here’s a challenge as we close out the year and look to next year!

The full reflection can be found here: http://www.diversity2inclusion.org/d2iblog/2025/12/26/therapuetic-reflection-a-conversation-across-time

Here is an excerpt of the reflection:

Take a slow breath. Let your body settle. This is an invitation, not a demand.
Part One: Looking Back with Care
Think of a moment in your life you can return to in your mind.
Choose an age, a season, or a version of yourself that feels significant.
•How old are you in this memory?
• What do you notice about this version of you? What were they carrying?
• If you could offer one thing to them, what would it be?
• Advice
• A challenge
• A hug
• Validation
• Emotional connection
• What would you want them to know that they didn’t yet know?
Write or reflect without editing. Let the tone be compassionate, not corrective.

12/16/2024

Happy holidays!

11/25/2024

Happy Holiday Season, Friends.
As we move toward the new year, I am filled with gratitude.
am grateful for the opportunity to support you through this year. I am grateful for the opportunity to work toward self compassion and care for others, with equity and connection at the center.
May the new year be filled with love, grace, self compassion, and self care. May you find magic and wonder in connecting with others.
- With Love, Jess

11/25/2024

Grateful to have been able to spend time with the to discuss who we are, our names, culture, and spend time learning more about ourselves and our friends. The room was LOUD and heavy with excitement and curiosity. I hope the curiosity just continues to grow!

10/26/2024

Last weekend, I gave a talk on Race and Racism. To start, I discuss my own race story and as I spoke, Grandma Sadie is looking on (the photograph on the screen behind me). I always share that I know that I am my ancestors wildest dreams - the ability to have these conversations unabashedly and boldly, the freedom to provide both humor and truth, the ability to know who I am and where I come from and bring those ancestors with me… it is a dream. I say “I hope I do this work justice and speak even if my voice shakes.” I do not take any of this lightly. I shared with clients/colleagues turned friends this week that I am staying in the court - even if the score is down, I’m not grabbing my ball and going home. I’m staying in the court. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena… this is a reminder to BALL.

08/22/2024

“The beauty of being an educator, as well as being a parent, is the ability to see ourselves reflected in children. If we lead with curiosity, compassion, and care, we have the ability to turn those same energies back onto ourselves. In other words, as an educator, l am given a beautiful opportunity to heal my own inner child through loving children.”
- Oladapo, 2024