We recently connected with Meme Styles and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Meme , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from my roots—from a legacy of strength, brilliance, and complexity that runs deep in my family. Growing up, I had this incredible mix of influences: my dad, this fierce advocate and activist who wasn’t afraid to disrupt systems to build something better, and my mom, a strategic powerhouse who broke barriers as one of the top Black women in commodities trading. From them, I learned to question everything, to lead with both fire and intention, and to rebuild stronger after every storm.
My dad used to call me a tornado. He said I’d come into a space, tear it up, and somehow leave it better than it was before. That stuck with me—this idea that even in chaos, there’s creation. Watching my mom hustle while empowering other women of color taught me that brilliance and strategy go hand in hand. It wasn’t just about surviving; it was about thriving and bringing others along with you.
I also draw so much strength from my community—from my ancestors whose prayers I feel every day, to my Brown Sugar Babes who hold me up when things feel heavy, to my Zeta sisters who’ve shown me that sisterhood is its own form of resistance. And let’s not forget rest—rest is part of my resilience too. I’ve learned that restoration is a revolutionary act, especially for Black women who are constantly expected to carry so much.
Resilience for me isn’t just about enduring; it’s about transforming. It’s rooted in joy, love, faith, and this unshakable belief that we can create a better world—even if we have to tear some things down to do it. That’s who I am, and that’s where my strength comes from.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Top of mind is a magical memoir that I am working on called “The House The 90s Built.” It’s both a love letter to the 90s and a call to action for building a future rooted in compassion for those experiencing mental illness and creating space for healing.
My calling has been my work as a Data Activist. As such, I’m the Founder and President of Measure, a nonprofit organization based in Austin that’s laser-focused on eliminating social disparities through research, data activism, and community collaboration. In 2015 Measure was born from a simple yet powerful question: “Where’s the damn data?” I realized that we couldn’t fight for equity without evidence to back up our demands and drive real change. That’s what we do at Measure—we use data to empower communities, advocate for justice, and create systems that work for everyone, especially Black, Brown, and Indigenous people. What makes Measure special is that we’re not just about numbers; we’re about people. We center our work around equity and make sure that the data we collect uplifts the voices of those most impacted by disparities.
One of the things I’m most proud of is our Equitable Evaluation Framework called the Measure CARE Model, which helps organizations evaluate their programs and policies through an anti-racist lens. We also train student researchers, build tech platforms that support grassroots movements, and advocate for policies that protect Black girls, like addressing adultification bias. I’m also incredibly proud of the policy wins we’ve been a part of, like helping to pass the CROWN Act in Texas, which protects people from hair discrimination. It’s proof that when communities mobilize, we can move mountains.
Right now, one of the most exciting things happening at Measure is the expansion of our Measure Ignite platform. It’s a tool designed to strengthen Black, Brown, and Indigenous-led organizations by helping them collect and use data in ways that amplify their power. It’s all about giving communities the tools they need to tell their own stories, backed by hard evidence, to demand justice and resources. At the heart of everything I do is this belief that data, when paired with love and intention, is a powerful tool for liberation. Whether it’s influencing public policy, empowering grassroots organizations, or training the next generation of researchers, Measure is all about creating a world free of inequities.
Finally, I am the Chairwoman of the HBCU (Historically Black College and University) AI Conference and Training Summit at Huston Tillotson University. In this work I am doing the work to interrogate AI and deliver a call to action for POC to be the ones leaning into the conversation so that these tools do not continue to perpetuate harm.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Resilience came from learning to rise after every setback—whether it was navigating complex systems or challenging inequities head-on. My advice? Embrace failures as opportunities to rebuild stronger, and find your support system that will keep you grounded when things get tough. Curiosity has been my guide. Asking the right questions—like “Where’s the damn data?”—has pushed me to uncover deeper truths and create innovative solutions. For those starting out, I encourage you to stay curious, never stop learning, and lean into discomfort; that’s where growth happens.
Finally, focus has been key to everything I do.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely! I’m leaning into my author era and looking to expand my literary network. I want to connect with writers, publishers, literary agents, and anyone passionate about storytelling, especially those who focus on themes of resilience, equity, and afro-future reflection. This community is one I know exists, and I’m eager to build authentic relationships within it. I would like to be connected on LinkedIn and via email [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wemeasure.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/memeofaustin/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meme-s-5bb631bb/
Image Credits
Photos by Olympia Roll and Taylor Hayden
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