WELCOME
My name is Ryann Richardson. I'm a former tech executive, an Uber alum, and these days, a social entrepreneur, political activist and Miss Black America. You can read my full bio here.
2019 was a transformational year for me. I turned 30, left a bad job, founded a new startup, and spent six months traveling the country as a keynote speaker talking with groups of mostly women and people of color about life and lessons learned as an underrepresented minority, a leader in tech, and as Miss Black America.
Perhaps the most significant message I carried with me on tour was the product of facing one of my greatest obstacles and is my challenge to marginalized people everywhere, "Take Up Space". My story, of shrinking and muting myself to survive environments in which I wasn't welcomed, resonated with audiences across America because, ultimately, it was their story as well. Throughout my career, and now through political action, I’ve learned of the inherent power I harness when I deliberately take up space and made it my mission to empower more of us to do the same.
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If you haven't heard the story yet, you can check it out in the video below.
TAKE UP SPACE MVMT
This is the TAKE UP SPACE MVMT, collective action to elevate the social, political, and economic power of un- and under-represented communities.
Together, we'll build our own curated content platform, a resource hub, and a branded apparel boutique to unify advocacy work and inspiring stories from members of our community all around the world.
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Here, we commit to affirming the right of all historically marginalized people (people of color, women, LGBTQ persons, and those living with disabilities) to exist wholly and unapologetically in all spaces.
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We commit to promoting, funding, and leading efforts that center the marginalized.
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We commit to empowering our members to TAKE UP SPACE in their workplaces, their communities, and their relationships.
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We commit to revolutionary social change and creating our own culture of inclusion.
WANT TO LEAD THE MVMT?
Share your ideas and know-how with the community
The TAKE UP SPACE MVMT is comprised of passionate advocates like you and me. And our content platform and resource hub is a reflection of our lived experiences.
We're all experts in something valuable. Here, we can all leverage our hard-earned wisdom to empower other members of our community.
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Join us by contributing your voice as a MVMT Leader. Write thought-provoking and inspiring pieces that challenge and equip our members of our community to boldly move out of the margins and to TAKE UP SPACE.