Today we’d like to introduce you to Bird Collier.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Bird. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
If I look back on my life honestly have always been a little “other,” which is to say that I have always marched to the beat of my own drum. When I was younger, I found it difficult to navigate in a world that seemed to always demand assimilation as the price for success and popularity. I decided early on, that I wasn’t willing to pay. I wanted to be who I was, and somehow I knew instinctively, that there was a value in authenticity that could not be traded. I did not want to disappear for other people’s comfort.
I remember being one of only six black students in my high school class. I wasn’t quite urban enough to fit in with the black kids, and I wasn’t even remotely white enough to fit in with the white kids. One of my few friends transferred out of the district when his own teammates spray painted the N-word across his locker before practice. I was often alone, but I didn’t feel lonely. I took as many AP classes as I could fit into those four years. I joined the debate team, ran track, sang in the choir, and ate lunch by myself nearly every day. When I got enrolled in the local university, I expected more of the same, but I found a kindred spirit in the University’s student life director who encouraged me to engage with the African American Cultural Society where I served as President and Public Relations Officer. She also introduced me to the world of diversity training through The National Coalition Building Institute. By my sophomore year, I was organizing an annual MLK parade and leading rallies in the community to combat inequities in the local school district.
At the NCBI trainings, we would listen to peoples personal stories of how they felt affected by bias in all of its many different forms. There were the expected tales of racial and gender discrimination and harassment. But there were other stories as well. I listened to a woman explain that she lived under people’s expectation that she be jovial and jolly at all times because she was overweight as a result of thyroid and other hormone issues. She was terrified to even eat in front of other people at work because she felt that the simple act of eating would add to public misconceptions about why she was big. As we labored to build emotional security in the room, more and more participants would share their experiences of being ostracized, harassed, skipped over for advancement, and publicly shamed for physical characteristics that they had been born with or circumstances that they had been born into. That’s when I realized that discrimination is a cycle, not an independent action. It is the transference of energy from one hurt and insecure individual to another. I decided then, that if negative energy could create ripples of discrimination, bias, and inequity; then positive energy could create progress, bridge building, and healing. I wanted to create that energy. I was finding my voice and helping others find their own as well. But still, I wanted to do more. I wanted to show people that the beauty in who we are as a country and as a culture is magnified, not marred by our differences. I believe everyone has a unique voice and a valuable perspective to add to any conversation.
My undergraduate business law professor encouraged me to apply for law school. She saw something in me that I had not yet recognized, so I applied and enrolled the following year at the University of Texas School of Law. I graduated from Law school in 2006 and went directly into public service.
In the years since then, my commitment to bridge-building has taken on many faces.
Presently, I am a Civil Litigator representing vulnerable populations, including military veterans, children, elderly, disabled, LGBTQ, and victims of violent crime.
In 2017 I created Bird House Enterprises LLC and began accepting speaking engagement to talk with educators and organizations about increasing inclusivity in the workplace and for students. I also began taking on mentees and helping them create a career path for their authentic selves. In 2018, I started a Publishing Company, Bird House Publishing to help fill the gap in the book market for diverse children’s books that teach empathy, emotional intelligence and the power of authenticity and speaking up for others. Our first book I’m From Everywhere explores the life of a child growing up in a military family, never able to put down roots. That debut release went to press in January and has done very well. Our second release comes out this fall and is aimed at providing children with an understanding of what it means to be an ally. Through the Publishing company, I also help other women and minority authors find their voice and begin publishing and marketing their own stories. I always tell my clients, if you don’t see the book that you want to read, write it.
I am the Co-Chair of The Diversity First Coalition, an organization that helps Houston’s leaders make lasting connections that bridge the gaps of social inequity. With the participation of top business owners and committed community leaders, we have developed a safe and open forum that spurs opportunities for members and non-members alike.
I am also a committee member of Texas Diversity Council and am one of the Chairs of this year’s Legal Diversity Week.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely not. There have been many times that I have stood at the crossroads of a decision that would require me to take off my authentic self in order to get past a gatekeeper. Choosing which battles to fight is always like starting at square one. To this day, I still straighten my hair for important interviews, knowing that my natural coils could cost me an opportunity to really make a difference.
Finding my voice has also been an incredibly curving and meandering journey, full of highs and lows. Some people believe that finding their voice is just a matter of realizing that they have something to say. But the more complex aspect of finding your voice is learning to say what needs to be said without disregarding, disrespecting or dehumanizing the audience.
Discovering your own perspective does not invalidate all other perspectives. One of the greatest difficulties in starting conversations around diversity and inclusion is convincing individuals that they can listen for understanding without conceding their values. D & I is a tough and often unforgiving discipline to take on. But I enjoy every moment of it. This is also the reason that I focus on Inclusion concepts for children. Raising an emotionally intelligent and empathetic child is much easier than repairing an adult whose capacity for empathy has all but disappeared.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Bird House Enterprises LLC – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
My company has the singular mission of helping children and professionals identify the value in diversity and develop their inclusion acumen by expanding their emotional intelligence and encouraging empathic decision-making. We use blogging, children’s literature, speaking engagements, and new author recruiting and training sessions to achieve our mission.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are looking forward to our fall book release and the 2020 book tour which includes multiple military bases across the state.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.thebirhouselive.com/
- Email: birdhouselive@gmail.com
- Instagram: @thebirdhouselive
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIRDHOUSELIVE/
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