By Jey McCreight, Ph.D.
I keep hoping for the right moment to write this Pride 2022 blog post—the moment when the news isn’t all about another piece of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, systematic efforts to roll back LGBTQ+ rights, or even attacks on my very right to exist. Because I do exist, and gay and trans people like me have existed throughout recorded history. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-29799 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1080x1080-Pride-Month-1-e1654117746196.png" alt="" width="842" height="839" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1080x1080-Pride-Month-1-e1654117746196.png 842w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1080x1080-Pride-Month-1-e1654117746196-150x150.png 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1080x1080-Pride-Month-1-e1654117746196-300x300.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1080x1080-Pride-Month-1-e1654117746196-768x765.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1080x1080-Pride-Month-1-e1654117746196-271x271.png 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1080x1080-Pride-Month-1-e1654117746196-372x372.png 372w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 842px) 100vw, 842px" />
But I’ve realized something. The right moment will not come anytime soon.
<h6>Under Attack</h6>
The LGBTQ+ community is under attack in a way many of us have never experienced in our lifetimes, and others hoped they would never see again. We are witnessing a systematic effort to roll back LGBTQ+ rights to a time where teachers could be fired for being gay and “conversion therapy” wasn’t recognized for the abuse it is. What we are watching unfold is a campaign to stop LGBTQ+ people from existing.
This is not only obviously morally wrong, but is literally impossible scientifically. LGBTQ people are a natural part of human diversity. Regardless of how many laws strip away our rights, queer people will continue to be born. We have existed throughout human history and will continue to exist.
What will change is how we exist. And here at 23andMe — where we celebrate the diversity of humankind — we believe that existence deserves to be healthy and happy, just like everyone else on this planet. As a health company, we cannot stay silent while a torrential downpour of anti-LGBTQ+ hatred hurts people both physically and emotionally.
<h6>Support</h6>
23andMe unequivocally supports our LGBTQ+ employees, customers, family, and friends. They deserve access to proper health care, including gender-affirming care. They deserve the ability to bring their whole selves to work, school, and the world without hiding their true selves. They deserve to use the bathroom without fearing physical assault. They deserve to feel safe and loved.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-29800 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/v-1-e1654117691902.png" alt="" width="977" height="801" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/v-1-e1654117691902.png 977w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/v-1-e1654117691902-300x246.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/v-1-e1654117691902-768x630.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/v-1-e1654117691902-880x721.png 880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 977px) 100vw, 977px" />
We understand that we have room to improve as well, especially around trans-inclusive language in our reports. We have heard your feedback and are actively working on improvements. Please continue <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/requests/new">providing feedback</a> and holding us accountable, because change happens with your help.
We hope that you’ll join us in taking action to support LGBTQ+ rights and health. Please look up what <a href="https://www.aclu.org/legislation-affecting-lgbtq-rights-across-country">anti-LGBTQ legislation is happening in your state</a>, contact your representatives, and <a href="https://vote.gov/">vote</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

Protect LGBTQ+ Rights and Health

23andMe updated its report on an inherited condition characterized by mild to profound hearing loss.
The update to 23andMe’s Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss and Deafness, DFNB1 (GJB2-Related) Carrier Status report* adds six variants that improve the coverage of the test for people with East Asian, Southeast Asian, and South Asian ancestry. 
&#8220;We are extremely excited about this report update, which allows us to provide new and meaningful genetic information to tens of thousands of our customers,&#8221; said 23andMe Product Scientist Ruth Tennen. &#8220;This is one step forward in our efforts to make our health reports more equitable, and to work toward a future in which people of all ancestries can access, understand, and benefit from the human genome.&#8221;<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27848" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/inner_ear-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/inner_ear-300x199.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/inner_ear.jpg 425w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
The drive behind this update was to add variants that would make the report more relevant to people of diverse ancestries. Because being a carrier for DFNB1 is quite common in people of East Asian and Southeast Asian descent, we prioritized adding variants that are commonly found in those populations. With the addition of the new variants, up to 15 percent of our East Asian and Southeast Asian customers will receive an update indicating that they have a variant detected. More than 1 percent of our South Asian customers will receive a similar update. In total, more than 100,000 Health + Ancestry Service customers across all ancestries will receive an updated report with a new variant detected.
<h6>What is DFNB1?</h6>
This form of nonsyndromic hearing loss and deafness, or DFNB1, is characterized by mild to profound hearing loss that is typically present from birth.<a id="f1" href="#a1">[1]</a> The condition is caused by variants in a gene called <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/gjb2/">GJB2</a>, which contains instructions for making a protein that helps transport potassium ions and other molecules between cells. Because proper movement of potassium ions in the inner ear is needed for the brain to process sound, variants that disrupt the function of the GJB2 gene can cause hearing loss.
The condition is <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/inheritance/inheritancepatterns/">autosomal recessive</a>, which means that a person must inherit two GJB2 variants — one from their mom and one from their dad — in order to have the condition. People with just one GJB2 variant are called carriers. They’re not expected to have the condition themselves, but they could pass their variant on to their future children. If two carriers have children, there&#8217;s a 25 percent chance that each child may have DFNB1. DFNB1 is the most common form of autosomal recessive <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/nonsyndromic-hearing-loss/">nonsyndromic hearing loss</a>, accounting for up to half of all cases.<a id="f2" href="#a2">[2]</a><a id="f3" href="#a3">[3]</a> 
About one in 20 people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent,<a id="f4" href="#a4">[4]</a> one in 20 people of European descent, <a id="f5" href="#a5">[5]</a><a id="f6" href="#a6">[6]</a> and up to one in 4 people of East Asian and Southeast Asian descent<a id="f7" href="#a7">[7]</a><a id="f8" href="#a8">[8]</a><a id="f9" href="#a9">[9]</a> is a carrier for DFNB1. (Being a carrier for DFNB1 is also common in people of other ancestries, but precise estimates are not currently available.)
<h6>Details on the report update</h6>
In our recent report update, we added 6 new variants to the Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss and Deafness, DFNB1 (GJB2-Related) Carrier Status report. These additional variants include some that are particularly common in people of East Asian, Southeast Asian, and South Asian descent. The newly added variants are also frequently found in people of Ashkenazi Jewish, European, Ghanaian, and Hispanic/Latino descent. The previous version of the report included two variants that are most common in people of Ashkenazi Jewish and European descent.
The improvements between the previous version of the report and the updated version are extensive. For example, our previous report was expected to detect fewer than 1 percent of carriers of East Asian and Southeast Asian descent; the updated report detects 75-99 percent of these carriers, depending on the region of ancestry.<a id="f10" href="#a10">[10]</a> Among people of South Asian descent, the carrier detection rate improved from 0-73 percent to 48-92 percent. In addition, one of the new variants is particularly common in people of Ghanaian descent and provides more than 90 percent coverage for that population.<a id="f10" href="#a10">[10]</a>
<h6>Actionable health information</h6>
Although DFNB1-related hearing loss is not reversible, learning one&#8217;s carrier status can help prospective parents prepare and learn more about support options, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and educational programs. However, it&#8217;s important to note that not everyone who inherits two GJB2 variants (one from each parent) will experience noticeable hearing loss. The degree of hearing loss can also vary depending on which genetic variants a person has, as well as other factors.
In addition to providing carrier status information, the updated report can now inform customers if they have two copies of some tested variants. It can also tell customers with certain combinations of variants that people with their result may have DFNB1-related hearing loss.
The updated Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss and Deafness, DFNB1 (GJB2-Related) Carrier Status report is available to 23andMe Health + Ancestry Service customers who are genotyped on the <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Version">V5 version of our chip</a>. 
<h6 class="footnotes">References:</h6>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> 
</code> 
<code style="display: none;"> </code> 
<a id="f1" href="#a1">[1]</a> Smith RJH et al. (1998). &#8220;Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss and Deafness, DFNB1.&#8221; [Accessed Dec 17, 2020].</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"></code> <a id="f2" href="#a2">[2]</a> Shearer AE et al. (1999). &#8220;Hereditary Hearing Loss and Deafness Overview.&#8221; [Accessed Dec 17, 2020]. ].</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"></footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code> 
<a id="f3" href="#a3">[3]</a>Chan DK et al. (2014). &#8220;GJB2-associated hearing loss: systematic review of worldwide prevalence, genotype, and auditory phenotype.&#8221; Laryngoscope. 124(2):E34-53.</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"></footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code> 
<a id="f4" href="#a4">[4]</a> Dong J et al. (2001). &#8220;Nonradioactive detection of the common Connexin 26 167delT and 35delG mutations and frequencies among Ashkenazi Jews.&#8221; Mol Genet Metab. 73(2):160-3.</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"></footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code> 
<a id="f5" href="#a5">[5]</a> Green GE et al. (1999). &#8220;Carrier rates in the midwestern United States for GJB2 mutations causing inherited deafness.&#8221; JAMA. 281(23):2211-6.</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"></footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code> 
<a id="f6" href="#a6">[6]</a> Hall A et al. (2012). &#8220;Prevalence and audiological features in carriers of GJB2 mutations, c.35delG and c.101T&gt;C (p.M34T), in a UK population study.&#8221; BMJ Open. 2(4).</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"></footer>
<footer class="footnotes"></footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code> 
<a id="f7" href="#a7">[7]</a> Hwa HL et al. (2003). &#8220;Mutation spectrum of the connexin 26 (GJB2) gene in Taiwanese patients with prelingual deafness.&#8221; Genet Med. 5(3):161-5.</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"></footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code> 
<a id="f8" href="#a8">[8]</a> Chan OYM et al. (2021). &#8220;Expanded carrier screening using next-generation sequencing of 123 Hong Kong Chinese families: a pilot study.&#8221; Hong Kong Med J. 27(1):177-183.</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"></footer>
<footer class="footnotes"></footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code> 
<a id="f9" href="#a9">[9]</a> Wattanasirichaigoon D et al. (2004). &#8220;High prevalence of V37I genetic variant in the connexin-26 (GJB2) gene among non-syndromic hearing-impaired and control Thai individuals.&#8221; Clin Genet. 66(5):452-60.</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"></footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"> </code> 
<a id="f10" href="#a10">[10]</a> Tsukada K et al. (2015). &#8220;Ethnic-specific spectrum of GJB2 and SLC26A4 mutations: their origin and a literature review.&#8221; Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 124 Suppl 1:61S-76S.</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"></footer>
<hr />
*The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults for the purpose of reporting carrier status and reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. The relevance of each report may vary based on ethnicity. Our carrier status reports can be used to determine carrier status, but cannot determine if you have two copies of any genetic variant. These carrier reports are not intended to tell you anything about your risk for developing a disease in the future or anything about the health of your fetus, or your newborn child&#8217;s risk of developing a particular disease later in life. For certain conditions, we provide a single report that includes information on both carrier status and genetic health risk. The Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss and Deafness, DFNB1 (GJB2-Related) carrier status report is indicated for the detection of eight variants in the GJB2 gene. The report can tell you if you have two copies of some tested variants, and if you are at risk of having hearing loss related to DFNB1, but does not describe your overall risk of having DFNB1-related hearing loss. This test is relevant for people of many, but not all, ethnicities.

23andMe Improves Carrier Status Report for People with Asian Ancestry

Diseases are considered rare if they affect fewer than 200,000 in the United States, but collectively rare diseases — there are nearly 7,000 — are more common than we realize, affecting about 25 million Americans and more than 300 million people worldwide.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-16566 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/lung_xray-300x223.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="223" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/lung_xray-300x223.jpeg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/lung_xray.jpeg 350w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Because these are rare conditions finding enough research participants to study these conditions can make studying them immensely challenging for scientists. But the 23andMe research model is uniquely suited to<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/new-way-to-study-rare-disease/"> study rare diseases.</a> We’ve launched a series of studies on rare diseases like <a href="https://www.23andme.com/systemic-sclerosis-study/">systemic sclerosis</a>, and<a href="https://www.23andme.com/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis/"> idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)</a>. Earlier this month we added one more to the list with a <a href="https://www.23andme.com/sarcoidosis-representation/">new study of sarcoidosis</a>. April also happens to be Sarcoidosis Month, and April 30th is National Sarcoidosis Day in the United States.
So, take a moment to learn a bit more about this little-known condition.
<h6>An Inflammatory Disease</h6>
Sarcoidosis (pronounced SAR-COY-DOE-SIS), is an inflammatory disease that mostly affects the lungs in people with the condition but can affect any organs in the body. 
The disease leads to the clumping together of inflammatory cells in different organs, which in turn can lead to scarring and organ dysfunction. While it impacts both men and women, and people of any ethnicity or age, it disproportionately affects people of African ancestry, particularly women, and people of Northern European ancestry. 
Early symptoms may include fatigue, swollen lymph nodes or painful swelling of the joints. Because it often affects the lungs, sarcoidosis symptoms may also include shortness of breath, wheezing, a persistent cough or chest pain. When it affects the heart, the condition may result in irregular heart beat, or accelerated heart beat, or swelling of the heart, known as edema. It can also affect the eyes resulting in blurred vision,
There currently is no cure and few approved treatments.
<h6>Searching for Treatments</h6>
23andMe’s study will look at genetic associations in what we hope will be the world’s largest study of this disease in African Americans. We hope the research identifies potential new treatments for sarcoidosis. Our efforts will involve recruiting people with the condition to participate in our research. That ensures that people of African ancestry are well-represented in the research. This is to ensure that any new potential treatments are effective for underrepresented populations.
In general, studying rare diseases is a challenge because patients are hard to find and recruit in large numbers. Simply finding enough people with one of these conditions who can participate is often the first hurdle for researchers. But 23andMe is uniquely positioned to do this work. We believe that by leveraging online tools and reaching out to individuals diagnosed with sarcoidosis we can accelerate the pace of research.
Just as with most other rare diseases, there is a strong genetic component to sarcoidosis. However, many of the genetic variants associated with the condition have not yet been identified. 
<h6>More</h6>
Learn more about 23andMe’s sarcoidosis study <a href="https://www.23andme.com/sarcoidosis-representation/">here</a>.
Questions about the study? Contact us at <a href="mailto:sarcoidosis-representation@23andme.com">sarcoidosis-representation@23andme.com</a>.

23andMe Launches Sarcoidosis Study

23andMe supports the idea that we humans should celebrate our differences, not criminalize them.
That’s why we are writing to draw attention to recent legislative efforts across the US that essentially bar transgender youth from gender-affirming treatment. These kinds of laws have grave consequences to children and their families. 23andMe is also among more than 200 major companies to have signed a Human Rights Campaign and Freedom for All Americans statement <a href="https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/200-major-u-s-companies-oppose-anti-lgbtq-state-legislation">opposing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation</a>.
<h6>Gender Affirming Health Care</h6>
As we stated last year, gender-affirming health care for transgender people, including trans youth, is <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780517">supported by most mainstream medical associations</a>. Gender-affirming health care is literally life-saving for many trans kids. Studies by the <a href="https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/145/2/e20191725">American Academy of Pediatrics</a>, <a href="https://whatweknow.inequality.cornell.edu/topics/lgbt-equality/what-does-the-scholarly-research-say-about-the-well-being-of-transgender-people/">Cornell University</a>, and other institutions have found that pubertal suppression treatment for trans youth was associated with lower odds of suicidal thoughts. 
Despite this overwhelming scientific support, many states are specifically attempting to criminalize health care for transgender youth. As of today, <a href="https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/bans-trans-youth-health-care/">15 states</a> have introduced legislation targeting gender-affirming care; ignoring the evidence, gender-affirming treatments for trans children are being treated as felonies and child abuse.
<h6>Access to Care</h6>
Unfortunately, this is not a hypothetical political move, but a very real and terrifying reality for trans kids who are lucky enough to have supportive families. Investigations <a href="https://www.aclutx.org/en/news/texas-wants-take-trans-kids-their-supportive-parents-were-suing">have already begun</a>. Despite following best practices in medicine, some gender-affirming clinics are <a href="https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/update-as-top-u-s-companies-urge-elected-leaders-in-texas-and-other-states-to-abandon-anti-transgender-efforts-surging-opposition-to-attacks-on-lgbtq-youth-begins-crescendoing-across-the-nation">shutting down due to media pressure</a>. Some bills even attempt to ban families from traveling in order to maintain their trans child’s access to medical care.
Even bills that don’t directly target gender-affirming medicine can have an effect on trans health. Recent legislation could forcibly out LGBTQ+ children, make children with gay or trans parents unable to discuss their families in school, and trans children unable to have their name and pronouns respected. This is despite many studies showing that simply <a href="https://news.utexas.edu/2018/03/30/name-use-matters-for-transgender-youths-mental-health/">using a trans youth’s chosen name</a> and <a href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/2020/07/29/research-brief-pronouns-usage-among-lgbtq-youth/">respecting their pronouns</a> significantly reduces their risk of depression and suicide.
<h6>Trust the Science</h6>
The science is clear. <a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/4/e20182162/37381/Ensuring-Comprehensive-Care-and-Support-for">Having supportive family members</a> is associated with better mental and physical health in trans youth. Trans adolescents who receive gender affirmation are often more able to tend to other things, such as academic success, relationship building, and future-oriented planning. Trans kids and their parents and doctors know what’s best for them.
At 23andMe, science is at the heart of what we do, but this isn’t just about the facts, it’s also about people. Trying to legislate away the existence of trans people is not possible. They are part of humanity and have always been. We will continue our work to support and understand each other. Join us as we stand with our employees, customers, friends, and family who are transgender or have trans kids.If you’d like to learn more about the value of gender-affirming care for transgender youth, <a href="https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/thousands-of-parents-join-human-rights-campaign-in-condemning-state-attacks-on-transgender-and-non-binary-youth">listen to parents of trans kids</a> and read this <a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/4/e20182162/37381/Ensuring-Comprehensive-Care-and-Support-for">policy statement </a>from the American Academy of Pediatrics. You can also find out more about the status of state legislation to prohibit affirming care from the <a href="https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/bans-trans-youth-health-care/">UCLA School of Law Williams Institute</a> and <a href="https://www.transformationsproject.org/legislation">how to contact your representatives</a>.

Trust the Science: Support Gender-Affirming Health Care for Trans Kids

As a San Francisco Bay Area business analyst, Lauren Trusheim is familiar with male-dominated workplaces. 
“Coming from a data analytics and consulting background, I’m accustomed to being the only woman in the room,” Lauren explains. 
<h2>What are ERGs?</h2>
So when she learned about 23andShe, a 23andMe <a href="https://www.23andme.com/diversity-equity-inclusion/">Employee Resource Group (ERG)</a> dedicated to women’s personal and professional growth, she jumped at the chance to get involved. 
 “Joining 23andShe seemed like the perfect way to build connections with my new 23andMe colleagues and give back to the community,” she says. 
 23andShe, founded last year, promotes community involvement and empowerment through programs, educational events, and volunteer opportunities. Like other 23andMe Employee Resource Groups, it provides a place for employees with shared interests, experiences, or characteristics to gather and build community.
“It’s a space for women to come together and learn from each other,” Lauren says. “Fostering a strong support system is essential for personal and professional happiness and success.”
 In celebration of Women’s History Month, we asked Lauren and three other members of the 23andShe leadership team to reflect on the group&#8217;s impact and their hopes for the future.
<h2>What inspired you to get involved with the 23andShe Employee Resource Group?</h2>
Lauren Trusheim (she/her), Business Analyst: When Lemonaid Health was acquired by 23andMe, I was excited to learn about 23andShe! Throughout my career, I’ve actively sought out opportunities to connect with fellow women and learn from their experiences. 
Melinda King (she/her), Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: I thought it was a great opportunity to leverage the voice of women within 23andMe and to make certain that issues that are important to women have an appropriate platform. 
 Sophia Majeed (she/her), Principal Clinical Scientist: I think it&#8217;s important for us to have a space to discuss topics and challenges that are specific to women and propose solutions to improve our workplace experience. 
Women&#8217;s workplace issues often make headlines, from the increasing burden of childcare and domestic responsibilities on women during the pandemic to the gender pay gap, and it&#8217;s not unreasonable to assume that these same issues may impact women who work at 23andMe. 
I see the women&#8217;s ERG as a space where we can advocate for positive change for women at the company in an inclusive way that recognizes and celebrates our diversity.
Tracy Keim (she/her), Vice President, Consumer Marketing and Brand: I love groups founded by women, for women. I love hearing about other women’s journeys and stories and learning from them. 
Investing in each other makes us stronger – time, support, listening, advocating, allyship – it’s more important now than ever to build even stronger bonds between women at work. 
New <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/covid-19-and-gender-equality-countering-the-regressive-effects#:~:text=At%20a%20country%20level%2C%20the,overall%20job%20losses%20to%20date.">2021 McKinsey data</a> shows that the impact of COVID-19 on women who work has been reversed. We need to be sponsors of each other!
<h2>Do you ever find that your gender impacts your daily life?</h2>
Lauren Trusheim: Unfortunately, we live in a world primarily designed by and for (cis, white) men. We see this pop up in office temperatures, bathroom lines, and even the notorious underfunding of women’s health research. 
Living in a society that still largely revolves around the needs and preferences of men has contributed to my habit of always accommodating others and reinforced my people-pleasing tendencies. 
 Luckily, awareness about these inequalities and their impact on women continues to increase. I’m thankful to have ERGs like 23andShe that provide a platform for highlighting issues that impact women. 
 Melinda King: The way that I walk through most interactions in my daily life are impacted by the fact that I am a woman of color. The intersection of those two communities means I have to decide how to show up in spaces that were not designed for me and then navigate to get the outcome that works for me.
 Sophia Majeed: Often, when people find out that I am a Muslim woman, I am subjected to negative stereotypes and assumptions. It’s not ‘popular’ to advocate for the rights of Muslim women, even as we see governments across the globe profile us and implement laws to take away our freedom to practice our faith. 
We are often portrayed as victims who have no agency or control over our fate (it just so happens that most Muslim women I know are intelligent, brilliant, fierce, and independent!). When I told my principal investigator in grad school that I was expecting a baby, she asked me if my husband would even let me work. The stereotypes are tiring.
<h2>What makes you feel proud to be a woman?</h2>
Lauren Trusheim: I have been lucky to have a wide variety of women mentors, friends, and colleagues, all of whom are inspiring and supportive. They are breaking glass ceilings in their respective fields, balancing work and personal lives with grace, and are open about the failures and lessons they’ve learned along the way.
I am constantly inspired by my fellow women&#8217;s grit, tenacity, diversity, and supportiveness. 
Melinda King: Just looking around at all the women who have worked against all the odds to do incredible things for themselves and their communities. Whenever I think it can’t be done, I see someone do it, which makes me incredibly proud. 
I think about the women in my family and their challenges, yet they continued to thrive. Having a family of strong women is extremely empowering.
<blockquote>
<h3>&#8220;By showcasing the diversity of women, 23andShe can help challenge assumptions and stereotypes and create a space for women from all backgrounds.&#8221; </h3>
</blockquote>
Sophia Majeed: I feel most proud to be a woman when I reflect on how resilient we have been throughout history. The women leading Civil Rights movements in the U.S. and abroad inspire me. 
I also take great pride in the women in my life, my mentors, friends, and family, who have overcome immense challenges to become leaders in their fields and have driven important societal changes to improve the lives of all people.
 Tracy Keim: I feel proud to be a woman when I think about all the brave women who spoke up and created the Times Up and the MeToo movement. 
I felt proud to be a woman when Naomi Osaka courageously put her career on hold before burnout, then graced the cover of <a href="https://time.com/6077128/naomi-osaka-essay-tokyo-olympics/">TIME</a> and said to the world, “It’s o.k. to not be o.k.” 
I felt proud to be a woman when I read Emily Chang’s book <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/547571/brotopia-by-emily-chang/">Brotopia</a> and saw she was unafraid of taking on the tech industry.
After reading Dr. Brittney Cooper&#8217;s book Eloquent Rage, I felt inspired to be a better woman and ally. It provided my first real exposure to and awareness of what it’s like to be a Black woman today. 
I felt proud to be a woman when I saw the first female Vice President take office, shattering a glass ceiling I hope many young women can climb through. 
<h2>What can people do to raise awareness about the issues impacting women today?</h2>
Melinda King: There are so many issues. I think it’s important to research all the opportunity gaps that exist for women and then consider how you can help close that gap in your personal and professional life. 
The pay gap is always a troubling one because the problem is compounded each time women aren’t paid properly, and it impacts their financial security in the long term. I think that’s an issue that constantly needs focus. 
 Sophia Majeed: Having transparent conversations about issues that impact women is a good starting point. Also, share data and statistics for women in leadership positions across the company to identify gaps. I hope that 23andShe will provide a space to have candid conversations.
<h2>How is 23andShe making a difference?</h2>
Lauren Trusheim: I hope to build a community that supports each other during tough times and celebrates each other’s successes. I’m also looking forward to raising awareness about issues impacting women and educating our colleagues through speaker series and other events. 
 Sophia Majeed: I hope that by showcasing the diversity of women, 23andShe can help challenge assumptions and stereotypes and create a space for women from all backgrounds. 
 Tracy Keim: I hope our group can help make a difference by creating the space for learning, connecting, and understanding real issues women face today. I believe we can positively impact each other while encouraging a strong allyship culture. 
I also hope men join the conversation through the ERG’s programming to foster real change, understanding, and empathy. Men are part of the solution.
<h2>What books, podcasts, movies, and other resources do you recommend for those who want to dive deeper?</h2>
Melinda King: I’ve been reading a lot from the author Bell Hooks. She helped me understand how the original women&#8217;s movement lacked a true focus on including the needs of all women. Two of her books, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminist_Theory:_From_Margin_to_Center">Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center</a> and <a href="https://www.plutobooks.com/9780861043798/aint-i-a-woman/">Ain’t I a Woman</a>, provide an informative look back at the feminist movement. 
Tracy Keim: The<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/MAKERSWomen"> MAKERS</a> organization has some of the best speakers covering intersectionality, equal pay, women’s rights, and more.
Additionally,<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace"> McKinsey</a> has incredible data tracking women in the workplace and issues we face today. And one of my favorite documentaries,<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x48OViTBpE"> Not Done</a>, is incredibly inspirational to see the progress made by women in history with the reminder that we are not done!

Amplifying Women’s Voices at 23andMe

Blog editor’s note:This #BlackHistoryMonth, 23andMe employees are discussing the resiliency and joy in the Black and African diaspora. While we reflect on the past, share and recognize Black stories and history, we’re also looking ahead toward the future. This month we’ve curated  guest blogs from people who embody that joy, and resiliency and are making that future a reality. Here&#8217;s a personal story about how a lack of Black dermatologists can impact Black patients.
By Shakeia Taylor
If I had to guess, I’d say I’ve spent most of my life on a quest for perfect skin: even, dewy, and smooth. For a good chunk of my preteen and early teenage years  I dealt with acne scars. “Stop picking,” my mom would say, as she swatted my hand from my face. No matter how many times she reminded me that touching my face would not make my skin clear up any faster, I’d find my fingers drawn to the offending dark spots
My cheeks. My forehead. Right between my eyebrows. Acne was always present for me in those spots. I’d try to wear my hair in ways that concealed it. I&#8217;d wear it in giant bangs, only to end up distressed because it’s not practical to cover your face with your hair for a school day. 
I was extremely self-conscious about my face once I started to develop acne and scarring in elementary school. It was the 90’s and clear skin was marketed to teens as a way to be cool. There were ads for products specifically for teenage skin on television all the time. One new skincare brand even used celebrities for its campaigns.Whenever the ads and infomercials came on, especially  while I was watching with other people, I would feel embarrassed. I certainly didn’t want my skin’s shortcomings to be a focus, but sometimes they were. When someone disagreed with me, or wanted me to know they weren’t fond of me, they would joke about my acne and blemishes . It felt like my skin was my sin.I often wondered if it was possible for one of those products to be my salvation.
<h6><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29575" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2455-1.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="1350" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2455-1.jpg 1080w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2455-1-240x300.jpg 240w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2455-1-768x960.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2455-1-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2455-1-704x880.jpg 704w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2455-1-944x1180.jpg 944w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" />Medical distrust and mistreatment</h6>
But finding treatment for skin problems for someone who isn’t white is difficult and discouraging. Many doctors aren’t trained in identifying how some skin issues can appear on black and brown skin. Illustrations and demonstrations typically use white skin, which makes it  difficult for doctors to recognize maladies and treat darker skin. Medications and other treatments aren’t always tested on Black and brown skin, therefore the impacts and effects can sometimes be unknown. There are also very few Black dermatologists. Many people of color are aware of this and tend to steer clear of doctors entirely, which could prove fatal –  as serious issues like skin cancer could then go undetected and untreated. 
My family falls into this category. For years, we’d only go to the doctor when something was seriously wrong . But my mother, determined to fight years of medical distrust, was on a mission to change that. She insisted that we get regular check-ups and schedule appointments the moment something felt or looked off. “What’s the point of insurance,” she’d ask, “if we’re not going to use it?” 
<div id="attachment_29534" style="width: 1716px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29534" class="size-full wp-image-29534" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2473-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="1706" height="2560" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2473-scaled.jpg 1706w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2473-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2473-587x880.jpg 587w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2473-787x1180.jpg 787w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2473-200x300.jpg 200w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2473-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1706px) 100vw, 1706px" /> Photos by Akilah Townsend</div>
<h6>Hoping</h6>
<div id="attachment_29535" style="width: 250px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29535" class="wp-image-29535 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2482-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2482-240x300.jpg 240w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2482-768x960.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2482-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2482-704x880.jpg 704w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2482-944x1180.jpg 944w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2482-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" />Photos by Akilah Townsend</div>
Every morning I’d wake up extra early before school and stare in the mirror hoping some small overnight skin miracle had occurred. I mean, I was drinking water and eating great (if you don’t count that I primarily subsisted on french fries and cheese sauce). When were things going to improve? Finally my mom decided to take me to a dermatologist. She was weary of how much my appearance was distracting me, so she got a recommendation from a trusted co-worker. I’d never heard of anyone we knew going to see a dermatologist before but I knew what they did. I was excited, relieved even, that my parents had finally heard my cries and gotten a recommendation for a dermatologist. I was hopeful my skincare woes would soon be over. 
I was sadly mistaken
I remember the day I went to the doctor.. I dressed nice; and I felt ready to learn what it would take to get the clear, smooth skin I deserved. But the dermatologist didn’t calm my fears or my irritated skin that day. She picked and poked at my face. She squeezed blackheads. Ouch. She inquired about what products we use for laundry, skin care, and hair care. She  discovered that I was allergic to coconut oil, an ingredient commonly found in Black hair care products, and suggested I find alternatives.  I was prescribed two tubes of creams; one of which was retinol. Though my face was sore from all the poking, I was still hopeful because we had a plan! And I  had prescriptions to pick up! 
<h6>Losing Trust</h6>
The prescription ointments impacted me immediately. After using them, my skin became dry, red, swollen, and blistered. My cheeks looked as if they had been burned. . Then the redness turned into black, blue, and purple scabs. It was a nightmare. I somehow looked worse than I did before the appointment. I cried. I was miserable. Not only did I look horrible  but my face burned. It stung to wash it. It hurt to sleep with my face against a pillow. I felt ugly and let down. Going to the dermatologist was supposed to make things better, not worse. I asked my mom to let me stay home so as not to endure any further teasing about my skin. 
In a follow-up appointment we learned that maybe my young skin was a little too sensitive for the strength of retinol I had been prescribed. We were told the effects on Black and brown skin weren’t really known so it was trial and error to find out what really worked. My mom decided the doctor had done enough damage and she would take matters into her own hands because what doctor would prescribe a child something so strong. From then on, she bought my skincare from various department store cosmetic brands. She was confident she could make sure I didn’t experience burning skin anymore. 
It took a few weeks for my skin to heal completely, but my trust in dermatology took a massive hit, as did my self-esteem. I’ve spent a lot of time being afraid to put anything on my skin out of fear of experiencing a reaction, but also hating it for seemingly being so sensitive and scarring easily. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29577" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2293_3-V2.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2293_3-V2.jpg 1920w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2293_3-V2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2293_3-V2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2293_3-V2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2293_3-V2-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DSC2293_3-V2-1180x664.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" />
<h6>Finding relief </h6>
It’s been more than twenty years since my experience with a dermatologist and the amount of money I’ve spent on both drugstore and department store skincare brands is probably enough to put a child through community college. I’ve purchased every oil and serum. I’ve even tried a few home remedies. I’m not alone – I’ve had many conversations through the years with other Black women who, like me, have trust issues with dermatology.  
But now that I’m nearly 40, some of my skincare needs have changed. So I asked my primary care physician for a dermatology referral. After I explained my history, she pointed me to a local research hospital’s ethnic skin care team. This type of culturally competent skin care might have saved me years of avoiding the dermatologist and hiding behind various foundations and concealers. Though my anxiety around seeing a doctor has not gone away entirely, it has been greatly reduced. I have been able to find solutions to problems I thought I’d have to live with for the rest of my life. My eczema has calmed, the number of breakouts I get has decreased, and the dark spots on my face have started to fade. Finding care that treats not only the complaint, but the person, has not only improved my skin but my quality of life. 
<hr />
Shakeia Taylor is a writer and columnist based in Chicago. She is an avid supporter of women in baseball, and an active advocate for diversity in sports journalism.

Shakeia Taylor

Black Dermatologists Breaking Barriers

Blog editor’s note: This #BlackHistoryMonth, 23andMe employees are discussing the resiliency and joy in the Black and African diaspora. While we reflect on the past, share and recognize Black stories and history, we’re also looking ahead toward the future. This month we’ve curated  guest blogs from people who embody that joy, and resiliency and are making that future a reality. Today’ we meet Jonathan McCory the executive artistic director of the National Black Theatre.
By Melissa Kimble
 Founded in Harlem in 1968 by the mother of the Black Arts movement, Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, the National Black Theatre is the country’s first revenue generating Black arts complex and the longest running Black theater in the world. 
The theater’s  current Executive Artistic Director, Jonathan McCrory, honors the founder’s principles of ownership, self-determination and human transformation, while he and his team confront the enormous challenges the Black community faces today. 
For Jonathan it has meant that for the last decade serving as director of the theater he must lead “ courageously with this notion of Black liberation and bringing your ancestors with you.”
Throughout history, the National Black Theatre has been a refuge for Black artists by creating a safe space for their creativity, their art, and holding ground for their transformation. As one of the oldest theaters founded and consistently operated by a woman of color in the nation, the core mission has always been to be the premier producer of transformative theatre — theatre that enhances African American cultural identity by telling authentic, autonomous, multifaceted stories of the Black experience. This experience and exchange leads to art’s true intention, which is to heal.
<div id="attachment_29547" style="width: 1090px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29547" class="size-full wp-image-29547" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="1080" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter.jpg 1080w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-880x880.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-372x372.jpg 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-574x574.jpg 574w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-embed-twitter-980x980.jpg 980w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" />Photo by Giancarlo Valentine</div>
<h6>Nurturing Black Artists</h6>
Jonathan’s  own journey to the theater was one that was already full of intentionality, nurturing Black artists and voices. That started with himself. The award winning director, producer, and artist, made a declaration in high school about his career destination. He decided that he wanted to run a Black theater in Harlem that owned their own space dedicated to doing work for Black artists. “When I decided to name myself as a Black artist, that destination was my birthright,” he says“I needed to also establish that birthright for future Black artists. I wanted to be a part of that awakening inside the psyche of the individual.” 
McCrory describes his role as a “creative doula,” one who takes care of artists’, mental, creative, and artistic “wealth.” Jonathan works with a dynamic team of people with the collective mission of ensuring that the creative work of  Black artists, and their voices are well resourced and pulled to the forefront. His vision for the theater embodies welcoming in and investing in the next generation of Black artists and change-makers in theatre.
“Sometimes people don’t see themselves as producers because they think it’s tied to economics,” he says. “How do we see our culture as an economic tool, knowing that we contribute billions into the economic pipeline? How can we reclaim some of that intellectual property, some of that wealth knowledge and start to actually create spaces of ownership, where we actually lead the producer or the producers of that cultural product.” 
“The National Black Theatre’s core mission lies in human transformation,” McCory said.
<h6>Looking Towards The Future</h6>
McCrory and his team are in the middle of revisioning the theater to service Black artistic changemakers now and in the future. Externally they’re undergoing a physical transformation with a capital redevelopment project and are working towards building a brand new cultural destination and facility for the organization. This new phase of the theater will include artist housing with a twenty story high-rise. The reimagining of their facility will include a studio for theatrical works, a temple of liberation where artists will be able to do immersive storytelling using 3D, XR and potentially VR technology. 
“We are seeking to create a cutting edge new facility that leans into the curiosity of Black innovation that allows for Black artists to find ways in which to find economics, to actually be able to update a benefit inside of the work that they’re able to produce,” he says. “To allow for a more diverse poly of voices to be able to change and radically benefit and actually inform the cultural expression that we all love and are working on.”
The organizations offerings include a theater arts program that’s a three prong program to give artists space to be alchemists: Their Soul Series Lab program is one of the only programs in the country dedicated to Black artists; their playwrights residency is the only residency in the country that provides an eighteen month home for Black playwrights; and their producer residency program is generating the next level of cultural producers. 
<div id="attachment_29528" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29528" class="size-full wp-image-29528" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-widescreen.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="628" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-widescreen.jpg 1200w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-widescreen-300x157.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-widescreen-768x402.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-widescreen-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-widescreen-880x461.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/jonathan-widescreen-1180x618.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />Photo by Giancarlo Valentine</div>
<h6>Theatre In The Digital World</h6>
McCrory is also stewarding the build out of their digital platform to ensure so the theater can connect with those who may not ever feel comfortable being in physical spaces again due to the pandemic. He cites t<a href="https://national-black-theatre.myshopify.com/collections/all">heir merch line</a>, t<a href="https://www.instagram.com/natblacktheatre/">heir Instagram page</a>, and budding partnerships with national potential as extensions to connect and to be a vessel for new possibilities, a notion that is embedded into his leadership style and approach. Many times you will catch McCrory donning <a href="https://national-black-theatre.myshopify.com/">a shirt</a> or hat with the word “joy” on it. As a personal advocate of artistic expression being the vehicle towards joy and healing, McCrory wants to create conditions with joy as a bedrock. 
<div id="attachment_29529" style="width: 210px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29529" class="wp-image-29529 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathon-McRory_50-scaled-e1669736360168-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathon-McRory_50-scaled-e1669736360168-200x300.jpg 200w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathon-McRory_50-scaled-e1669736360168-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathon-McRory_50-scaled-e1669736360168-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathon-McRory_50-scaled-e1669736360168-587x880.jpg 587w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathon-McRory_50-scaled-e1669736360168-787x1180.jpg 787w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Jonathon-McRory_50-scaled-e1669736360168.jpg 1707w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /> Photo by Giancarlo Valentine </div>
“There should be an acknowledgement that although the pandemic has caused a lot of sadness, a lot of grief, it also created the space for us to innovate how we communicate and how we process the way we live our lives,” he says. McCrory looks toward the future with a generosity that is needed now more than ever. 
“We seek to lean into the curiosity of what does it mean to see someone? What happens if they feel seen? And if they feel seen, what does someone get to become?” he says. “That simple question awakens a radical new universe of possibilities. Then we become the vessels of manifestation, the tools to allow for unseen, unfinished work to be possible seen through our lifetime.”
This radical vision is one that Jonathan and his team still carry on in the present times in the shadow of racial upheaval and the pandemic. They are  modifying their approach to continue to be a refuge for Black art and creativity. 
“To lead with a graceful institute is to actually tap in and tune into the wisdom of our ancestors as a fortitude and a fortress to actually awaken human transformation. It is the gate keeping tool and mechanism to unlock what I think human transformation can look like.” As we learn to count our blessings to heal our way forward during these times, we can rest assured that the National Black Theatre will continue to light the way. 
<hr />
<div id="docs-chrome" class="docs-material companion-enabled" tabindex="0" role="banner" aria-label="Menu bar">
<div id="docs-additional-bars">
<div id="formula-bar-name-box-wrapper" class="name-box-enabled formula-bar-with-name-box-wrapper">
<div id="formula-bar" class="formula-bar formulabar-disabled">
<div id="t-formula-bar-input-container">
<div dir="ltr">
<div id="t-formula-bar-input" spellcheck="false">Melissa Kimble is a cultural writer, strategist, and consultant based in Chicago. A native Memphian, she advocates for Black creativity across creative industries.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Melissa Kimble

A Theater in Harlem Fostering Black Creativity

When <a href="http://www.valeriejarrettbook.com/">Valerie Jarrett</a> was in her early 30s, everything was finally going according to plan. She had a law degree from the University of Michigan, a career at a prestigious firm, a large office overlooking Lake Michigan, and a husband and beloved daughter. 
So why, on a hot summer day in 1987, did Valerie suddenly burst into tears in her office? 
“On that day,” she said, “I asked myself: ‘Is this my life, or do I want to pivot away from this perfect plan on paper that is a nightmare in reality?’”
That moment of reckoning set her on a winding course, leading from city government all the way to the White House, where she worked as senior advisor for President Obama from 2009 to 2017. 
She shared this story and others during a fireside chat with <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/news/melinda-king/">Melinda King</a>, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for 23andMe. 
Their hour-long conversation, in front of an audience of 23andMe employees over Zoom, touched on a variety of topics, including Valerie’s belief in the next generation; the “uplifting” possibility of a Black woman joining the Supreme Court; the pitfalls of cancel culture; the critical role of inclusion in diversity work; and the real benefit she gets from her daily workouts. The exchange below has been edited for clarity and brevity.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29567" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Valerie-Jarrett-Headshot-JPG_square.jpg" alt="Valerie Jarrett headshot" width="1920" height="1429" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Valerie-Jarrett-Headshot-JPG_square.jpg 1920w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Valerie-Jarrett-Headshot-JPG_square-300x223.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Valerie-Jarrett-Headshot-JPG_square-768x572.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Valerie-Jarrett-Headshot-JPG_square-1024x762.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Valerie-Jarrett-Headshot-JPG_square-880x655.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Valerie-Jarrett-Headshot-JPG_square-1180x878.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" />
<h6>On creating a workplace culture of inclusion for Black employees:</h6>
Start at home. Start within your company. Listen to the people who work there, and do it in a way that they feel comfortable. Be authentic – you need to actually care. Have them tell you their stories. 
I love storytelling; it&#8217;s a big piece of what we do at the Obama Foundation because it humanizes the issues. So then it&#8217;s not just about statistics – it becomes, ‘this is my story, and what I’ve been through and this is what I need to thrive in this environment.’ 
If you truly want to create an inclusive culture, then you have to be willing to listen, willing to check yourself and say, ‘well, have I really made an effort to have diverse friends? What does the senior level of this company look like?’ Because when people come in the door of your company, it’s hard to be what they can’t see. 
<h6>On her source of inspiration and optimism:</h6>
I draw inspiration from the younger generation. It was one of the reasons why President Obama was able to entice me to run the Obama Foundation, even though I was in a stage of my life when I was focused on being a grandmother and waking up every day doing exactly what I wanted to do. I initially agreed to do it as a favor until he found someone permanent. Then I started spending time with our young global leaders from Asia, Africa, and Europe and students at Columbia University and the University of Chicago. They&#8217;re so smart and strategic, they think outside of the box, and they are hopeful in a realistic way. They give me an enormous amount of inspiration.  
Recognizing that I stand on the shoulder of my ancestors and people who come before me, I know that I want to have sturdy shoulders for the next generation. So I will impart what I’ve learned, which they are free to accept or disregard. I believe our job is to make their life easier so they can tackle some of the big challenges of life.
<h6>On the pitfalls of cancel culture and the value of different perspectives:</h6>
Who was more unhelpful to the Obama Administration than Rupert Murdoch? But guess what, Rupert Murdoch cared about immigration reform. And I worked very closely with him on that. Part of what you have to recognize – if you’re true to wanting change – is this isn&#8217;t about you; this is about getting the job done. And it doesn’t taint or diminish you to work with people you may disagree with on 99 issues if you can agree on one. 
I worry that the temptation is to cancel anyone who doesn&#8217;t fit into a nice little package. But that&#8217;s not how we get things done. And it&#8217;s not how we get to know one another, which is part of the elixir of life – relationships. And I think the relationships made of strange bedfellows are even more interesting, and they&#8217;re more complicated. I encourage everyone to come out of their comfort zone and not just turn someone off because they don’t agree with you 100 percent, because, first of all, there&#8217;s a lot more grey in a lot of areas than that, and we get more done when we do things together.
<h6>On President Biden’s plan to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court:</h6>
I appreciate his desire for that diversity, and I&#8217;m really proud, for example, that when he and President Obama were in office, President Obama appointed 26 Black women to the bench. Now there&#8217;s a real treasure trove of women to choose from, not to mention those not on the bench who are just as qualified. The pipeline is a lot stronger today than it has been historically –  I think that&#8217;s a great thing. 
President Biden has received some backlash for saying it will be a Black woman, but the message he&#8217;s sending is, ‘I think a Black woman in that environment would be a healthy thing right now.’
I can&#8217;t wait to see who he selects, and I think it will be uplifting for us to have that representation. Representation matters. I had the privilege of working on Justice Sonia Sotomayor&#8217;s Supreme Court selection and confirmation, and the Latino community was euphoric; they felt like someone who is going to be making decisions that impact their life finally understood their story. And I think for the credibility of our judiciary, that&#8217;s an important step.
<h6>On listening to that quiet voice within:</h6>
Each of us should ask – ‘what replenishes me’? At a certain age, you should know yourself and know what makes you feel better and healthy. For me, I exercise every morning. Now, I do not enjoy exercise. The happiest moment of my day is when I&#8217;m done. But I know it&#8217;s good for me. It&#8217;s an hour I have to myself – my phone’s not ringing, I&#8217;m not looking at texts; it just settles me. 
And I also love my friends and family. When I&#8217;m in Chicago, my mom, who&#8217;s 93, has this Sunday dinner with all our cousins. (I&#8217;m an only child, so my cousins are like my siblings). At the end of that dinner, I just feel better. And when I was in Washington, I did that with my girlfriends. So do what makes you feel good to replenish yourself.
I don&#8217;t believe in work-life balance, just like I don&#8217;t believe in 50/50 relationships or that you can have it all simultaneously. I think we set ourselves up with completely unrealistic expectations. We just have to figure out how to give ourselves a little bit of a break and get back in the game. It&#8217;s easier to do that if you think what you&#8217;re doing is of value. Try to find a job where you feel like you&#8217;re adding value; that&#8217;s very satisfying. And it can be adding value in whatever ways make you fulfilled. Don&#8217;t look to someone else to tell you what will work for you.
That&#8217;s one of the things I realized that day I was in my office crying. I had been living the life that everyone else thought was a great life. But the only voice that actually matters is your voice – that quiet voice inside of you.

“You have to be willing to listen,” Valerie Jarrett on Creating an Inclusive Culture

Blog editor’s note: This #BlackHistoryMonth, 23andMe employees are celebrating joy and resilience in the Black and African diaspora through events,<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ2D0Z6JKWe/"> art</a>, and conversations. We’ve also curated a series of guest blogs about people who embody that joy and resilience – and are harnessing these strengths to uplift their communities and create a better future.
By Imani Mixon
Cherice Harrison-Nelson’s hair is wrapped in a black and wine head scarf with a red feather peeking out from the side. The 62-year-old artist and educator has on medium sized hoop earrings, a black, red, and gold beaded necklace and a festive butterfly brooch. 
Even over Zoom, she looks royal. 
Cherice regularly honors her lineage as a Mardi Gras Indian and a member of the maroon society of self-emancipated Black folks by crafting and wearing intricately handmade traditional suits. Her late father, Donald Harrison, Sr. ushered the family into the Mardi Gras Indian tradition as Big Chief of the Guardian of the Flames, a group he formed to emphasize the importance of Mardi Gras traditions that affirm Blackness.  Cherice continues this work as Big Queen of the Guardian of the Flames and is commonly known as Queen Reesie.
In 1994, she was awarded a Fulbright that allowed her to travel to Ghana and Senegal to further research African cultural traditions. Although our mid-afternoon interview features one of the more tame examples of her unique attire, meeting her feels like a joyful occasion.
“As the Guardians of the Flame, maroon society, I feel like we have emancipated ourselves from all the ideals, both literal and metaphorically that restrict us in ways that we don&#8217;t have to accept. I don&#8217;t want to be tethered to anything except the love for my family and my community. I want to have free will, to dress the way I want,” says Cherice .
It’s no surprise that Cherice ’s audacious attire draws attention, but one day back in 2016 it earned her a new friend. 
<div id="attachment_29523" style="width: 1930px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29523" class="wp-image-29523 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8186.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8186.jpg 1920w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8186-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8186-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8186-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8186-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8186-1180x664.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /> Photo by Trenity Thomas </div>
<h6>Sisterly Love</h6>
She met Skyla Hearn, a Chicago-based archivist and special collections librarian, while attending a <a href="https://chscsummit.net/">Cultural Heritage and Social Change Summit</a>. Harrison-Nelson was preparing to lead an educational performance about the traditions and history of Mardi Gras Indians and she was wearing a purple lace dress and a matching Nigerian gele. Hearn says she knew Queen Reesie was someone special. 
Hearn and Harrisson-Nelson grew to become sisterfriends — the kind you meet for dinner when they’re in town, the kind who can send texts that would be shockingly probing if they came from someone else, but are received as alarmingly sweet text check-ins instead. 
“Are you being radical in your self-care?”
<div id="attachment_29520" style="width: 1930px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29520" class="wp-image-29520 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8151.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8151.jpg 1920w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8151-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8151-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8151-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8151-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TJT_8151-1180x664.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /> Photo by Trenity Thomas </div>
“Do you need help with that?” 
Hearn knows that the warm accountability of friendship is what has kept folks alive for generations. Cherice knows this too; it isn’t the first time that someone lovingly inquired about her health. 
On June 23, 2011, Cherice recalls being at a Winn Dixie grocery store across the Mississippi River from her downtown neighborhood in New Orleans’ 9th Ward when she received a call from her doctor&#8217;s office. 
“I have the results of your test. Do you want them over the phone or do you want to come in?,” asked the nurse on the other end of the line. 
Cherice agreed to hear her results on the phone, but as soon as the nurse began speaking, her words came out in a muffled garble, it sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher. 
“Wait, let me call my sister and you tell her, whatever you&#8217;re saying, that sounds like gibberish to me,” Cherice  interjected.
Cherice gave the nurse her younger sister Cara’s number, then Cara relayed the conversation she’d had with the nurse. Her older sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. Cara decided to accompany Cherice  to her preoperative appointments, prepared to take notes and ask relevant questions about what to expect like the risks of medication, complications from treatment, and if her sister’s life expectancy would be impacted.
After a series of demeaning and otherwise unresponsive interactions with doctors and nurses, Cherice  found an old-school doctor, Dr. Myron E. Moorehead, the kind who has tabletop anatomical models of reproductive organs. He showed her exactly what he would do  and told her what she needed to do to prepare for an accompanying procedure.
“I knew that he cared about me and I felt I could put my life in his hands and it would be okay. Those other doctors, I don&#8217;t think I would have wanted to put my life in their hands,” says Cherice .
It’s been 11 years since her breast cancer diagnosis and 17 years since Hurricane Katrina, which Cherice  refers to as “the August 25, 2005 federal levee failure.” She has survived two life-changing events that have altered her view on both physical and mental health. She understands just how quickly things can change for the better or the worse. 
“It was so hard being here, so hard working here, healthcare would have been at the bottom of my list. For me, survival didn&#8217;t necessarily include health checkups. Being happy enhances your ability to take care of yourself. When you&#8217;re depressed, you know your whole world is kind of turned upside down,” says Cherice.
<h6>A New Wellness Routine</h6>
What was once an after-thought has become a major priority. Now, she spends the first few minutes of each morning envisioning what she wants for her life. Every day, good health tops her list. From moment to moment, Cherice  has gotten into the rhythm of choosing herself. Sometimes that means parking farther from a store entrance to get a few steps in.  Other times it means buying small batch ice cream from a local vendor and slowly eating small scoops in a fancy bowl with a fancy spoon.
“If you take care of your health, then you can do all the things that enhance your life that we need to do as humans to to survive. It&#8217;s just about loving yourself, and loving yourself the most,”  says Cherice .
One of the most recent, more public acts of radical self-care for Cherice  is acknowledging that she will no longer wear her sacred Carnival suits for performances or appearances or participate in Carnival the way she has in the past. Carnival season starts on January 6th and extends through Mardi Gras Day, which is also known as Carnival Day. This will be her last year strolling around the streets of New Orleans in her Carnival suit on Mardi Gras Day. Starting in 2023, you’ll only be able to catch Cherice  in her Carnival suits for her late father’s birthday celebrations — his birthday falls during Carnival season and marks a time of remembrance for the Harrison family. While it was never just a performative gesture, the creation of her Carnival suits have grown even more intimate and laborious over time. By creating boundaries around how she wants to show up as a Mardi Gras Indian, she is relieving herself of the responsibility of automatically inviting others into a tradition that they may not understand or revere. 
“The [suit] I wear on Carnival Day, it really is spiritual. It&#8217;s like putting on me and I don&#8217;t want to use those in that manner anymore,” says Cherice.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29545" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="1080" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter.jpg 1080w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-880x880.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-372x372.jpg 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-574x574.jpg 574w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cherice-social-embed-twitter-980x980.jpg 980w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" />
Cherice  takes that seriously  — weaving, beading, patching, and feathering to make ceremonial clothing that draws from and oftentimes illustrates the most resonant moments of her life. When the ensemble is as complete as it can be, it becomes an archive of sorts. Her suits are on display at the Donald Harrison, Sr. Museum named after her father that’s just two blocks from her house and on family land. Her suits are also currently on view at The New Orleans African American Museum in Treme, The McKenna Museum of African-American Art, and the Baton Rouge African American Museum.
“It takes a lifetime because everything you put into a suit is the sum total of your life,” says Cherice . 
For this year’s Carnival, she is honoring her ancestors and creating a memorial suit. Cherice  can trace her ancestral line pretty far back. She has a bill of sale regarding her great great grandfather Madison Briscoe, who was born in 1809 and enslaved in 1820 when he was just 11-years-old. Although she can go back for generations, this suit in particular will honor friends, mentors, family members and more recent ancestors. Cherice  has begun collecting and referencing their favorite things &#8211; hobbies, colors, and animals to select the right way to adorn her suit. She will incorporate a horse for her uncle, a butterfly brooch for her mentor, and a lipstick for another friend. 
“He&#8217;ll tell me what I&#8217;m supposed to create for him. The ancestors are really real and they speak to me,” says Cherice .
As Cherice  continues on the path to living life on her own terms, her journey reminds us that the first step to any kind of healing begins with listening.
<hr />
Imani Mixon is a long-form storyteller living in Detroit. You can learn more about her work <a href="https://www.imanimixon.com/">here</a>.

DEI — Page 4