🚨 Help Me Gear Up for the Fight

Welcome to a special edition of Qualified at the Intersection.

First, thank you.

We just crossed 1,000 subscribers on Substack last week! That milestone means more than a number. It means community. It means momentum. And it means we now have the foundation to build something that matters.

When I first joined Substack, it felt like arriving late again. By the time I embraced LinkedIn, the racial reckoning had already happened. The follower booms were already in motion. On Substack, though, there’s still room for creativity, information, and real connection. Reaching 1,000 subscribers here means we’re on the cusp of something powerful.

So here’s the proposition.

I want to grow Qualified at the Intersection into a space that’s ready for the 2026 midterms. A space that helps shape public conversation, challenges misinformation, and sharpens messaging. I want to keep elevating the intersection of race, politics, history, gender, and workplace equity.

What You Might Not Know

My book Qualified lays the groundwork for this work. But behind the scenes, I’ve also built a complete e-learning platform, a studio-produced, script-based curriculum designed to change how we lead, hire, and communicate.

Originally created as a B2B (business-to-business) tool licensed by companies, I now want to bring it directly to you.

This Is Not Just Pay-to-Finish

Many paid newsletters offer a few extra sentences or commenting rights. That’s their choice. But if you are going to support mine financially, I want you to get something substantial.

So here is what I’ve done:

🔓 I am unlocking one e-learning module for free:
→ Origins: Why We Talk About Race

It’s foundational. Clear, accessible, and necessary.

Now I want your input. Is it valuable to you? Do you think others should see it? Would people in your network benefit from the rest of the trainings?

📚 The Full Training Library

These are not just videos. They are fully developed, professionally produced learning tools you can use at work, in community, and beyond.

Already Available (Unlocked for All):
✅ Origins: Why We Talk About Race

Ready to Release for Paid Subscribers:

1. Origins: Bias in Banking

2. Origins: Bias in Advertising/Marketing

3. Origins: Medical Bias

4. Origins: Bias in Criminal Justice

5. Unconscious Bias

6. Communicating Across Differences, Part One

7. Communicating Across Differences, Part Two

8. The Color of Leadership and Onboarding Leaders of Color

9. Inclusive Hiring I

10. Inclusive Hiring II

11. Facilitator’s Guide & Training Video: Leading Difficult Conversations

Each one was created to inform, engage, and equip. They don't just explain the problem, they help you work toward a solution.

My Plan to Unlock the Modules

Because these trainings are currently licensed to companies, I can't release them for free. But I want to get them to as many people as possible.

Here's the approach:

• When we reach 200 paid subscribers, I’ll unlock:

  • Unconscious Bias

  • Communicating Across Differences, Part One and Two

• Every additional 200 paid subscribers unlocks more content

• Paid subscribers will receive full access to all unlocked trainings

• The newsletter and commenting features will remain free to everyone

• And there will be free previews of the paid content.

Right now, I have 40 paid subscribers. To reach the next unlock goal, I need 160 more.

Why This Matters

We’re facing coordinated attacks on diversity, inclusion, and truth. State agencies are removing language about race. Companies are backpedaling. Educators are being silenced.

These trainings are one way to keep learning alive, to spread knowledge where it’s most needed, and to build a smarter, stronger, more prepared community that knows how to fight back and build better.

What You Get as a Paid Subscriber

• Full access to unlocked trainings.

• A library of expert-led tools you can use at work, in leadership, or in community spaces.

• The knowledge you need for this moment.

• And most importantly, the knowledge you can share.

You will always get:

• Full access to my written newsletters

• The ability to comment and engage in conversation

• The chance to help shape what comes next

What I Commit to

I believe in circulation, not extraction. As I grow every year, I will spend at least 5% of my Substack net income (after Substack’s cut) supporting smaller creators with 500–5,000 subscribers.

I won’t invest in people with massive followings. I will read and find folks to support and amplify those still building and rising.

I’ve already spent a little over $100 this year to reach the 5% mark. I will carry that value forward.

What I’m Asking You to Do

1. Watch the free training: [Origins: Why We Talk About Race]

2. Become a paid subscriber if you are able

3. Share this newsletter with friends, co-workers, HR teams, and community members

4. Send me your thoughts: What would help you share this? What else should I offer?

We are not just building a newsletter. We are preparing for what’s next. Together.

Thank you for helping me get to 1,000.
Thank you for walking this road with me.
Let’s keep going.

In community,
Shari