Meet Sharon Hurley Hall

We recently connected with Sharon Hurley Hall and have shared our conversation below.

Sharon, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

When I think about finding my purpose, I sometimes think my purpose found me. I created an anti-racism newsletter, but that was almost the last step in finding my purpose. As a teen, I observed the differing dynamics at play among people with different identities, and how white supremacy and colonialism played into that. Though I didn’t have the words for it then, I started to express it years later in what became my book Exploring Shadeism. And my newsletter came out of finally deciding to speak about the racism I’d experienced in different parts of the globe: the UK, France, the US, the Caribbean and elsewhere. Once I’d started writing everything came together and I knew I’d found what I was meant to do with my twin gifts of writing and educating.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m on a mission to educate and enlighten people so we are all more conscious, more considerate, and more capable of creating a world where everyone can thrive.

I do that mainly through Sharon’s Anti-Racism Newsletter (SARN) (almost 6000 subscribers), I use my digital pen to arm future revolutionaries with the knowledge they need to see white supremacy culture and racism at work, and to consciously move in the opposite direction to become committed anti-racists and abolitionists. Unlike many others, I have a global perspective, born of having lived in the UK and the Caribbean, with frequent visits to the US and other parts of the world. I’ve collected some of the stories of lived Black experience in my book, I’m Tired of Racism.

I also love to help others succeed with their mission, so I use my decades of experience in the writing business to empower others via courses and mentoring.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I think of it more as an attitude than particular skills. I think open curiosity and intellectual humility have been my biggest assets in getting to this point in my journey. And my advice: you can learn from practically anyone, so keep an open mind.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Impending overwhelm often teaches me something. It’s a sign that I need to rethink my next action, or that I need to rest. I always listen to my body in these situations, and it often leads me to pivot away from what my head might suggest is the right move. And the great thing is that tuning into that guidance, that body wisdom always pays off. So it’s what I recommend to everyone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.antiracismnewsletter.com/
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/sharonhh
• Other: https://sharonhh.com

Image Credits

Headshot: Photographer, Stephen Smith, Pro Photo Studio, Barbados