3 questions to ask yourself about everything you do | Stacey Abrams

Stacey Abrams' Journey to Becoming Valedictorian

In this section, Stacey Abrams shares her background and how she became valedictorian of her high school.

High School Achievements

• Stacey Abrams graduated as valedictorian from her high school in Decatur, Georgia.

• Despite coming from a low-income community and growing up in Mississippi, she excelled academically.

• She studied at Avondale and became valedictorian while her parents pursued their degrees at Emory University.

Meeting the Governor

• As the valedictorian of Georgia, Stacey Abrams had the opportunity to meet the governor.

• Although mildly interested in meeting him, she was more intrigued by his mansion due to childhood TV shows like "General Hospital" and "Dynasty".

• Instead of using their car, which they didn't have, Stacey and her parents took public transit to reach the Governor's Mansion.

Exclusion at the Governor's Mansion

• Upon arriving at the Governor's Mansion, a guard denied entry to Stacey and her parents, claiming it was a private event.

• Her father insisted that she was one of the valedictorians but faced discrimination based on their lack of personal transportation and possibly other factors like skin color or attire.

• After a heated discussion with the guard, they were eventually allowed inside but Stacey doesn't recall meeting the governor or other valedictorians.

Motivation for Change

• The experience of being excluded motivated Stacey Abrams to strive for change later in life.

• She wanted to open the gates for marginalized communities and be an ally to various groups, including LGBTQ individuals and victims of gun violence.

Moving Forward and Making Change

Stacey Abrams reflects on her determination to move forward and create meaningful change.

The Need for Progress

• Stacey acknowledges that her first attempt at opening the gates for change didn't succeed as she hoped.

• She contemplates how to overcome bitterness, sadness, and lethargy in order to make a difference.

Moving Forward with Purpose

• Stacey emphasizes the importance of moving forward because going backward is not an option, and standing still is insufficient.

• She shares her approach of asking three questions: What do I want? Why do I want it? And how do I get it? These questions guide her actions in politics, business, and activism.

Desire for Change

• Stacey's ultimate goal is to bring about change. However, she ponders what specific changes she wants to see in society.

• Her desire is not only limited to empowering young black women but extends to Latinas, Asian Americans, undocumented individuals, LGBTQ community members, victims of gun violence, and all residents of Georgia.

Conclusion: Striving for Change

In this section, Stacey Abrams concludes by emphasizing her commitment to creating positive change.

Continuing the Journey

• Despite setbacks or failures along the way, Stacey remains determined to move forward in pursuit of her goals.

• She highlights initiatives like the New Georgia Project and Fair Fight Georgia as examples of her ongoing efforts towards progress.

Belonging and Inclusion

• Stacey reiterates her belief that everyone belongs in Georgia and the nation as a whole, regardless of their background or identity.

• She emphasizes the importance of opening gates wide for all individuals to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities.

Be Aggressive About Your Ambition

In this section, the speaker encourages the audience to be ambitious and not let setbacks hold them back.

Setting High Goals

• It's important to be aggressive about your ambition and not allow setbacks to discourage you.

Understanding Mistakes

• Women are often taught to blame themselves when things don't work out, but it's crucial to understand that mistakes can also be made by others.

• We should not only analyze our own mistakes but also recognize the mistakes of others.

Knowing Why You Want It

• Understand why you want what you want and ensure it is for a meaningful reason, rather than seeking revenge or following societal expectations.

• Identify a goal that keeps you up at night, excites you in the morning, or makes you feel compelled to take action. Know why it must be done.

Overcoming Obstacles

The speaker shares her personal experiences of overcoming obstacles and emphasizes the importance of perseverance.

Learning from Setbacks

• When faced with challenges, understanding your goals and motivations will help you try again even when things get tough.

• Know what you want, why you want it, and how you're going to achieve it.

Achieving Success

• Despite facing numerous obstacles in her race for governor, the speaker became the first black woman nominee for a major party in U.S. history. She highlights the success of turning out African American voters and increasing engagement among Latinos and Asian Americans in Georgia.

Overcoming Financial Constraints

The speaker discusses the impact of financial constraints on dreams and emphasizes the importance of not allowing them to hold you back.

Breaking Free from Financial Constraints

• Finances often limit our dreams, but stories of those who overcome resource challenges inspire us to break free from these constraints.

• Don't let lack of resources or debt disqualify you from pursuing your goals. Refuse to be shamed by financial struggles.

Conquering Fear and Fatigue

The speaker addresses fear and fatigue as obstacles that can hinder progress and offers insights on how to overcome them.

Dealing with Fear

• Fear can be paralyzing, but once you identify what you're afraid of, you can find ways to navigate around it.

Battling Fatigue

• Fatigue can make us settle for less than what we truly want, but it's important to push through exhaustion and stay focused on our goals.

• Use moments of fatigue as opportunities to evaluate your determination and commitment to your cause.

Fighting for Social Justice

The speaker emphasizes the importance of fighting for social justice and using it as a driving force in pursuing one's goals.

Advocating for the Voiceless

• Women must speak up for those who are voiceless, stand against oppression, and work towards social justice.

• The speaker's passion for these causes fuels her determination and motivates her to fight harder every day.

[t=0:12:10s] Audience Reaction

The audience reacts with cheers and applause.

Audience's Positive Response

• The audience expresses their enthusiasm with cheers and applause.

[t=0:12:15s] Speaker's Point

The speaker introduces their main point.

Main Point

• The speaker presents their main point.