I'm black, and I'm proud to be. I don't need a month for other people to able to see who I am or what we are. It means 365 days celebrating the way I am, I don't need a month to celebrate who I am. Because at the end of the day, we're celebrating the race. But I think you should celebrate yourself every single day because you are who you are. And God created you that way. So be happy, find your destiny.
I don't celebrate because I don't need a month. And if we’re going to choose a month, why the shortest month in the year to celebrate somebody’s history? It's a nice gesture. But for me, the biggest gesture will be when we all understand who we are as human beings and understand that we’re all one race. Celebrate the human race, rather than celebrating the color of our skin.
I was born in The Gambia and grew up in Norway. There were a lot of barriers. But for me, I saw it as God testing me by giving me those battles. And I enjoyed those battles. Because when people pray for your downfall, but you end up on the top, it shows who you truly are as a person. And that's why I say that I'm proud I’m black. Because that's what I was born, that's the color God gave me. It's nothing that I look at as a burden. It's nothing I look at as a bad thing for me. There’s a reason why I'm black. It’s about what can I do to open those doors that have been kept closed.
As a parent, I'm always honest with my kids. I always tell them the truth. Because they’re biracial, so they're going to question “Where do I belong?” And for me, I always make sure that they understand that they have the best of both worlds. It’s never about the color, it's about the human. I tell my kids focus on being the best human being that you can be. Just respect all color, always be open to learn, that's what the world is about.
I told myself I have to keep breaking those barriers. That's why I'm put in leadership positions where I need to break those barriers. Because there are plenty of people like myself that are wishing to have this opportunity to showcase what they’re capable of. It's not about me. It's about what is behind me, the perception and the narrative that black people can’t be in leadership positions. But it's not even about proving people wrong. It's about just showcasing what we are capable of every single day. That's why I say I'm black and I'm proud, no matter what. I don't need the month. I just need every single day that God has provided me air to breathe.
