Explore the realms of advocacy, inclusivity, and personal growth in this inspiring episode of ‘Possibilities with Monique de Maio. Our special guest, Marcia Hicks, an impact and equity advocate with over two decades in education, shares her journey from a multicultural background to becoming a leader in fostering brave spaces for crucial conversations. Delve into Marcia’s unique perspective on navigating issues of race, gender, and sexuality, her commitment to student empowerment, and her approach to creating inclusive environments in education. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on understanding privilege, confronting biases, and the power of self-forgiveness.

Key Takeaways:

• Emphasis on Assertiveness: The discussion highlights the importance of assertiveness and self-advocacy in challenging societal norms and stereotypes.
• Authenticity and Self-Identity: There’s a focus on embracing one’s authentic self and resisting pressures to conform to societal expectations.
• Humor and Resilience: The hosts share humorous anecdotes about how humor and resilience can help navigate challenging situations and overcome stereotypes.
• Challenging Stereotypes: The need to challenge stereotypes and preconceived notions, particularly regarding race, ethnicity, and cultural backgrounds, is explored.
• Creating Inclusive Spaces: The conversation touches upon the creation of safe and inclusive spaces for dialogue, where diverse perspectives can be shared and understood without judgment.
• Intentional Conversations: There’s an emphasis on the importance of intentional and respectful conversations, focusing on active listening, empathy, and mutual understanding.

0:00 Intro to Marcia

4:30 Nurturing individuality

8:30 Challenging Preconceptions

16:00 Understanding Engagement Dynamics

22:00 Encouraging Self Reflection

30:00 Learning and Growing Through Open-Minded Conversations

40:00 The Importance of Visibility and Validation

About our guest:

Marcia Hicks is an Impact and Equity Advocate. An over 20+ year educator,  She is currently the Director of Minority Achievement and Coordinator of the Counseling Annex for the  Maplewood/South Orange School District in New Jersey.  There, she works with students on career, personal growth and leadership.  She is also the Founder & Executive Director of Brave Spaces, for educators and students looking to master having crucial conversations around race, gender, and sexuality. Marcia has a Masters in Counseling & Psychology from the University of Connecticut, and a bachelor’s degree in – sociology. Marcia is a Division 1 collegiate athlete …When she is not coaching and mentoring kids, you can find Marcia at the movies, laughing with her friends and enjoying life.  One thing you may not know about Marcia is that she meditates every morning.