Community leader, activist and educator Jabari Lyles discusses his personal journey to understanding and loving himself as a black man, in spite of growing up among a predominantly white community. 

Jabari Lyles is an educator, nonprofit leader and community leader in Baltimore, Maryland. His work focuses on positive outcomes for youth and the LGBTQ community, especially LGBTQ youth of color. He is currently Director of the Maryland chapter of GLSEN, the leading national organization championing LGBTQ issues in K-12 schools. 

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Jabari Lyles: Black self, white world: lessons on internalized racism | Jabari Lyles | TEDxTysonsSalon

Black self, white world: lessons on internalized racism | Jabari Lyles | TEDxTysonsSalon

Embracing white-standard English and white lifestyles as survival mechanisms exposes the insidious nature of internalized racism.

The realization that no societal achievement shields one from racism ignites a journey towards authentic racial and self-acceptance.

Discovering black joy and love as revolutionary acts fosters a reclamation of identity, challenging pervasive white supremacy.