Akeema Bichali

Yesterday I shared my video from the @mdhealthdept Equity Conference. Today I’m sharing the part that reminded me how joy shows up when we let it.

They had this beautiful backdrop set up and almost no one was using it. It made me think about how often, in professional spaces, we shrink ourselves or rush past the moments meant for us. I tried taking selfies, but they weren’t catching the full environment or the energy I was feeling.

Then this gentleman, clearly someone’s supervisor based on the fit, the posture, and the I run things aura, paused what he was doing and offered to take my photos. Before he even lifted the phone, he wiped the camera which told me everything. A woman somewhere trained him well. I asked how long he’d been married. 14 years. It checked out.

At first, I posed. And the photos looked exactly like that. Posed. Stiff. Controlled. Then he cracked a joke, I laughed, and he snapped. Those were the real ones. Squinted eyes, chin rolls, joy all over my face. The kind of photos that remind you that being yourself fully and imperfectly is the best thing you can bring into any room.

Kudos to that team member at Martin's West

And a gentle reminder to all of us that if they set up a backdrop, they intend for you to take photos. Have fun. Show the imperfections. Let yourself be seen.