Navigating Imposter Syndrome

Youth Organizing X

Matt, Rayshauna, and Maya dive deep into what imposter syndrome means for each of them. They work through the first half of Rayshauna's #theHeartWork Framework to help us explore imposter syndrome's societal roots and its complex individual and community-wide consequences - the lie within imposter syndrome, it's convenient messaging, the core wound underneath the messaging, and the consequences of socializing this messaging. They trace the effects of systemic racism, sexism, and toxic individualism in American culture in how imposter syndrome manifests for each of them. They explore their own relationships to their family and ancestors - and which root causes of imposter syndrome they've inherited. They wrap up by starting to imagine how we can chip away at the mentalities driving imposter syndrome by naming its complex dynamics and roots.

Resources Referenced:

• #TheHeartwork Framework Pillars and Summary
• "A Change of Heart: How I Challenge Impostor Syndrome," by Rayshauna Gray
• Layla Saad's "Good Ancestor Podcast"

Bios:

Maya Green is a freshman at Stanford University and the Organizing Director for the student-led nonprofit Student Voice. In high school, in addition to attending an arts school for creative writing, she was a member of the interfaith organizing network Charleston Area Justice Ministry, where she engaged with public officials on issues of affordable housing, public transportation, and racial bias in policing.

Rayshauna Gray is invigorated by her work with Harvard University, the Cambridge Historical Society, Boston Book Festival, and National Organization for Women’s Legislative Task Force. Gray’s #TheHeartWork framework and workshop series helps people interrogate how imposter syndrome impacts their lives and communities. Gray is from the south side of Chicago.