June is a month of empowerment. As a Life Coach, I work a lot on self-empowerment with my clients. Thursday, June 19 is Juneteenth, Friday, June 20 is World Refugee Day, and LGBTQ+ Pride is celebrated the whole month of June.

These three observances stand out because they represent real human lives and events that changed history. Pride month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Riots. It provides LGBTQ+ people and their allies an opportunity to continue the ongoing fight for equality, acceptance, and dignity. Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. It recognizes the continued need to fight for freedom and equality. World Refugee Day is an international day organized every year by the United Nations. It stands for building understanding of the condition, resilience, courage, and strength of those who have fled conflict and persecution hoping to find sanctuary and a better life.

Here are some ideas that will help you begin affirming yourself, as well as tips on how to be an effective ally.

Self-empowerment:

1.Take care of yourself physically and mentally. Go to the doctor, go to therapy, go to life coaching, eat healthy, exercise, communicate clearly, and do things that are fun for you.

2. Become self-aware by writing down a description of who you are including your values, beliefs, biases, interests, dreams, and obstacles.

3. Practice being your authentic self within your values. Practice speaking up in safe spaces first.

Allyship:

1. Read books by the  LGTBQ+ community, Black writers, Indigenous writers, and Refugees from around the world.

2. Listen without adding your opinion. When you speak, make sure it is to ask questions or clarify information.

3. Remember that allyship is an ongoing commitment, focuses on the needs of others, addresses power imbalances, and that allies are accountable for their words and actions.

“It is the obligation of every person born in a safer room to open the door when someone in danger knocks.” Diana Nayeri