The opportunity to show up wholly and vulnerably through speaking and sharing my truth with others is a profound privilege that I relish deeply. My approach to speaking engagements is story-centered, which simply means that I offer authentic anecdotes from my own life to inspire and invite reflections, connections, healing, and expansive perspectives on liberation.

One of my greatest joys is to be in community with others. I love inviting authenticity and stewarding the raw energy that springs to life when people feel seen and heard by one another. In facilitating group processes, day-long workshops, or extended curriculum, I prioritize vulnerability and connection by scaffolding new insights through identity interconnections. In exploring commonalities and differences between and across groups, I encourage expansive, affective-relating that fosters reflexivity, empathy, and allyship.

Aeriel is a powerful listener, engager, and facilitator of difficult dialogues. Over the past 11 years, I have seen her confidently address hard issues through love and compassion. She is keenly aware of her own identities and fosters a warm environment to encourage people to develop their voices and passions. I appreciate her authenticity and vulnerability and how she centers stories in efforts to help people heal.

Stephen John Quaye, Ph.D., Professor, Ohio State University

Aeriel is a scholar-leader who consistently demonstrates a personal commitment to creating meaningful relationships with students, colleagues, and community members. I highly recommend Aeriel for her ability to build relationships across difference and inspire others.

Kristan Cilente Skendall, Ph.D., The Aspen Institute

Aeriel is incredibly inspiring. I just finished reading her book VITAL and I feel a new sense of motivation, validation, and empowerment as a social justice advocate. I am also a transracial adoptee and Aeriel provided me a real sense of representation that I did not realize I needed. I felt heard by Aeriel, and VITAL gave me clarity about my journey as an advocate and my intersectional identity.

Anna Smith, Undergraduate Student, University of Cincinnati

Aeriel's writing, teaching, and communal engagement courageously confront the silences, toxicity, and pains that wound individuals and divide communities. In the long and protracted struggle for healing and liberation, Aeriel, who dares to imagine freedom, is the type of critical hope that our bruised and bleeding world so desperately needs.

Wilson Kwamogi Okello, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Penn State University