From passion to purpose.
I have a deep passion for many creative projects, but taking the first step is a real struggle for me. It’s not a lack of desire or interest, rather it's a challenge with overcoming initial inertia and self doubt and fear (inertia- an object will remain at rest unless an external force acts upon it. I am it, an object at rest. I still remember this definition word for word since learning it in my physics class in high school, yes my brain has a tendency of storing the most random information with precision) I digress… Despite my enthusiasm, I find myself paralysed by the fear of not meeting my own expectations, which makes starting anything incredibly difficult! I am working on finding ways to bridge this gap between my aspirations and actions, so I can bring my passions to life.
Starting a new venture is never easy. It takes courage, determination and a deep belief in your vision and self-knowledge. My journey with Collective Perspective is a testament to this truth and I want to share it with you in the hopes it inspires others to follow their passions and make difference.
The seed of an idea
The idea for Collective Perspective was born during my university years. My friends and I, all from different backgrounds, often found ourselves feeling out of place in a predominantly homogenous environment. We noticed a significant lack of diversity (for lack of a better word) within the university space and felt compelled to do something about it. This led to the creation of Waves of Color, an initiative that was aimed at creating a safe space for especially non-white international students.
Overcoming fear
Despite how well Waves did, hosting workshops and information sessions engaging with different audiences, the thought of turning this passion into a full fledged grown up project was daunting. The fear of putting myself out there, of stepping out of my zone of security (read comfort), often held me back. But I knew deep down in the recesses of my mind that this was not something I wanted to let slide, I wanted to make a broader impact, to help organisations create and foster environments where everyone feels valued and included.
Turning passion into action
It has not been easy balancing my regular 9-5 with the demands of starting a grown up project. It’s a lot to be honest. Even now I'm still doubting if i should publish this or just keep it on standby for when I “feel ready”. Anyways, the truth is, the stories of those who come to me seeking advice or help, has kept me going. For context, I was also the president of Black Ladies of Groningen (BLOG, this was probably one of the best and coolest jobs I’ve had), this role was enlightening as I came to the realisation that there are very few ‘social safety nets’ for non-Dutch people. People’s experiences and struggles mirror my own and I feel a profound sense of responsibility to use my skills and knowledge to create positive change.
The birth of Collective Perspective
And so, Collective Perspective was born. Inspired by my own experiences and those of my peers, and driven by the desire to help others, I set out to build something dedicated to educating and fostering inclusive and equitable learning and work places. Our mission is to empower organisations to not only attract but also retain diverse talent by creating cultures of inclusivity and respect. It is also to empower individuals, to be a listening ear for those who feel unheard, voiceless or just defeated by how things are going at work.
Looking ahead
As I look ahead, I really am enthusiastic about the future of Collective Perspective. There is still much work to be done, as topics that we focus on are not always easy to talk about but are necessary for creating harmonious environments and inclusive leadership. I am confident that we are on the right path. To those considering a similar journey, remember that you have to start somewhere. It’s ok to be afraid. I still am (I mean I drafted this in like June of 2024 only to publish it now) but do not let that fear hold you back. Pursue your passion, embrace the challenges and know that you have the power to make a meaningful impact.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I don’t know how this will evolve in the coming months and years but I am excited to see how Collective Perspective will grow and evolve.