Michelle Saahene’s life took a major turn in 2018, when she was one of the women responsible for the viral video of two Black men arrested in a Philadelphia Starbucks for not buying coffee. The incident inspired her to co-found From Privilege to Progress—a growing national movement to amplify Black voices, desegregate the public conversation about race, and inspire others to #showup against racism. More than 500,000 people now follow From Privilege to Progress on Instagram, and along with co-founder Melissa DePino, Michelle has spoken on Jada Pinkett Smith’s Red Table Talk, The Today Show, and NPR’s Radio Times among many other media outlets, major corporations, and universities. In this inspiring and intimate episode, Michelle reveals her secrets for creating a life driven by purpose and passion, and how she continues to rock it as a leading voice for racial justice.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• [2:26] Why Michelle believes she manifested her life as an activist
• [3:17] How she overcame overwhelming terror to raise her voice while witnessing racial discrimination in a Philadelphia Starbucks
• [6:50] Michelle’s family legacy of leadership in Ghana
• [7:36] Her experience as the only Black girl in her central Pennsylvania school
• [11:23] Why the explosive growth of From Privilege to Progress gives her hope
• [13:43] Her fateful “divine collaboration” with co-founder Melissa DePino
• [16:10] How she and Melissa bring uniquely feminine energy to the anti-racism conversation—and why she doesn’t shy away from crying onstage
• [20:57] What it was like sitting next to Jada Pinkett Smith onstage
• [26:20] Michelle’s one tip to ROCK IT

Links from the episode: 

• Michelle’s website: https://michellesaahene.com/ 
• Michelle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellesaahene/ 
• From Privilege to Progress website: https://fromprivilegetoprogress.org/
• From Privilege to Progress on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privtoprog/ 

She Rocked It is a media and mentorship platform where creative, courageous women rock it together. We are eager to learn from, listen to, and lift one another up — driven by the belief that women’s voices are essential. On our podcast and Instagram Live interview series, She Rocked It host/founder and creative entrepreneur Karen Gross gets trailblazing women leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs to reveal how they rock it – and their insights may surprise you. Their behind-the-scenes stories, best-kept secrets to success, and actionable tips are sure to inspire the rockstar in all of us! 

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