In what we hope to be a multi-episode series, WNJY presents the morning Keynote speech of the 2022 Regional Emerging Multicultural Leadership Development Experience December 2 at the Wayne YMCA. Rodrigua Ross, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas and Chair of the National African American Resource Network for YUSA, speaks about what it means to mobilize oneself in the pursuit of career growth and leadership opportunities within the YMCA movement. She has collaborated with government entities, public and private nonprofit agencies, and corporate partners nationwide to address issues such as youth development program deficiencies, improving family stability, increasing access in resource deficient communities, poverty, reducing social stigmas associated with certain populations, and the dismantling of inequitable systems. Special thanks to Washima Redding from Metro YMCA of the Oranges for help with this podcast, and WNJY host Nya Noziere for emceeing the event.