Originally Published: Nov 12, 2025
I took a cyber holiday for a few days — I had to. I’m exhausted.
This morning I woke up, opened LinkedIn, not sure what I’d write. And there you were, Nneka Allen, CFRE, COC, PCC — my professor, my reminder, my mirror.
You are a gift. You are powerful. You are someone I will always lean in to listen to.
You remind us that education is love in action —
You teach people to be anti-racists.
I teach people to end child sexual violence.
Different paths, same heartbeat: creating a world rooted in justice, healing, and courage.
In honour of your essay “Brave, Not Safe!”, I wrote you this poem:
Brave Space
I’m standing in Brave Space—no longer searching for Safe Space.
I can breathe when I’m standing in Brave Space;
my throat constricts when I look for safety.
Safety needs you to say yes.
Bravery needs only me to breathe.
Waiting for love needs you to say yes.
In Brave Space,
love is all around me.
I am love.
I am brave.
Thank you, Nneka—you reminded me of me today.
P.S. This is only the third poem I’ve ever written in my life. I may just be discovering a new love. 💛