Kulleni Gebreyes

“We need to identify our hopes and fears—and then lean into them.”

“Every day, I consider the person I want to be for those who come after me.”

“I finally felt like I had found my voice and was being my authentic self—someone who wasn’t defined by color.”

“When you put people first and set an example of empathy and trust, everything else can fall into place.”

“It’s important being OK with saying no to things that won’t help you realize your goals—at work and in life.”

“Even though I still walk into situations where I feel like I need to shrink, I no longer attribute my value to how people perceive me.”

“Through my own experience, I’ve learned the value of kindness and grace—because you never know what someone is dealing with behind closed doors.”

“Don't shy away from the things that make you different. Because those are your superpowers.”

“Over the years, I have taken the time to get to know who I am, and sometimes have to remind that person inside that it’s okay to make mistakes, it’s okay to be a bit different.”

“I had seen with my own eyes, as a veteran and a Black man, the struggles people often have to overcome to find their place in the tech world. I wanted to help others, like those who have helped me.”

“We can all use our voices for good—and now is the time, when we are having tough conversations, to do it.”

“I hope to continue to be a leader that stands up for what he believes in and show, through my own story, that the Black experience isn’t the same for everyone, but instead an intricate tapestry of stories waiting to be told.”

“I think people need to start recognizing that this country doesn’t educate us to be racially aware—and definitely not to be change agents for racial equity.”

“As a Black man in America, I don’t have the privilege of looking past, minimizing, or ignoring the racial injustice that’s plaguing our country right now. It’s real for me. It’s real for so many.”

“For me, remaining passive is not an option. Fighting for justice must be my way of life.”

“When people are sharing their experiences about being marginalized, believe them.”