💭 Some days, you don’t realize how much you’ve been holding until someone gives you permission to set it down. That’s exactly what Kelisa Wing did for me—and so many others—during her session. It wasn’t just inspiring; it was healing. Her words met us where we were—tired, uncertain, and maybe even a little disillusioned—and reminded us that we are not alone. We have what we need, and joy, love, and hope are still ours to claim.

I’ll be honest: I’ve been struggling. The weight of this moment—#Project2025, relentless attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work and marginalized people (BIPOC, immigrants, queer, trans, etc.), and the growing backlash against progress—has been heavy. It’s hard not to feel defeated sometimes.

But Kelisa’s session reminded me of something profound: this is not the end of the story. In fact, it’s part of a larger narrative, one that has been unfolding for generations.

Lessons from Kelisa Wing: Resilience in Action

Kelisa shared her incredible journey as the first-ever Chief of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the U.S. Department of Education—a groundbreaking role that came with unimaginable challenges. She spoke candidly about being publicly attacked for her DEI work, enduring investigations, FOX News smear campaigns, and even U.S. Congressional scrutiny over a single tweet. A giant billboard was erected to call her a racist for daring to speak truth to power.

Her resilience and grace during those moments were awe-inspiring. She didn’t shy away from the pain or frustration. Instead, she demonstrated how to stay grounded and move forward—how to keep doing the work while protecting your spirit.

Kelisa taught us that while backlash is inevitable, it doesn’t have to break us. As she said, “Every single time there is progress in this nation, it is met with resistance.” Understanding this truth helps us stay steadfast and resilient.

Key Insights from the Session

🔥 "It is better to be a pilot light than a firecracker."

Kelisa reminded us that change is a long game. Firecrackers make noise and burn out quickly, but a pilot light stays steady, igniting transformation over time.

🧡 "I’m taking the cape off and wrapping it around myself like a blanket."

Advocacy doesn’t mean neglecting yourself. Sometimes, self-preservation is the most powerful form of resistance.

💪 "The enemy lives off fear like God lives off faith."

Fear is a tool used to undermine progress, but faith is what fuels us to keep going.

🚨 "Every fight is not your fight."

Kelisa reminded us to pick our battles carefully. We can’t fight every injustice; we must focus on where we can make the greatest impact.

A Scriptural Foundation for Hope

Kelisa wove faith into her message, offering scriptures that anchored us in the work:

✨ “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)
She reminded us that the hope we seek is already within us. “The One who walks beside you is the same One who lives within you. You and I are intertwined.”

✨ “I have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.” (Isaiah 42:6)
God’s promise to hold our hand through the journey was a comfort and a call to courage.

✨ “The joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
Kelisa spoke about joy as our renewable resource. “You can’t pour from an empty well. That joy, rooted in God, is what refills us.”

✨ “May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing.” (Romans 15:13)
This scripture reminded us to let hope overflow into everything we do, fueling our work with peace and purpose.

Radical Self-Love and Boundaries

One of the most powerful moments of the session was when Kelisa asked us, “When was the last time you were radically in love with yourself?”

For me, that question hit hard. Like many of us, I’ve been giving everything to the work—running on empty, sacrificing my time and energy. And for what?

Kelisa shared her own story of burnout, explaining how she worked 16-hour days, neglecting her family while pouring herself into a system that ultimately discarded her. She said, “I made a commitment: I will never work this hard for anyone else unless it’s for myself. And even then, there are boundaries.”

She reminded us that self-love isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Our families, our well-being, and our joy must come first. “If my son calls me while I’m in a meeting with someone, I’m answering. They are the most important people in my life.”

Boundaries allow us to sustain the work without losing ourselves in it.

Backlash, Truth, and Unity

Kelisa spoke candidly about the attacks on DEI work—the bans on critical race theory, the censorship of books, the silencing of educators. But she reminded us to focus on the truth:

“Most people believe in teachers. Most families want their children to grow, learn, and be included. That’s the truth we have to center.”

She also emphasized the power of unity, invoking the spirit of Fred Hampton and the Rainbow Coalition. “This is why society works so hard to keep us divided—because when we’re together, there’s nothing we can’t do.”

Her message was clear: backlash is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to derail us. When we stay grounded in truth, love, and unity, we can keep moving forward.

Walking Away with Hope

I entered this session feeling tired and uncertain. I left feeling renewed and empowered. Kelisa didn’t just offer strategies—she gave us permission to rest, to set boundaries, and to lean into the divine strength within us.

Her message reminded me why we do this work and why it’s worth it, even when it feels hard. As educators and advocates, we have the power to change lives—not just for our students but for future generations of Black and Brown educators.

If you’re feeling weighed down by the world right now, take Kelisa’s advice:

👉 Rest.
👉 Set boundaries.
👉 Love yourself radically.
👉 Move with intention.

We are in this together, and together, there’s nothing we can’t do.

🖤 To learn more about Kelisa Wing and her work, visit her website at https://kelisawing.com.