Dr. Kimberly Young-McLear is a Black, queer, scholar, engineer, and educator who is unreservedly committed to human resilience, human dignity, and human rights. Inspired by her educational foundation at Florida A&M University and the long legacy of freedom fighters from the African diaspora, she became an anti-bullying and anti-harassment policy expert who uses evidence-based research to promote justice and equity.

In 2019, she was one of few LGBTQ active duty service members invited as a State of the Union Guest of Honor. Kimberly represented Connecticut’s 2nd District for her tireless efforts to stand against systemic bullying and harassment in the Coast Guard. Following her public testimony at a joint Congressional hearing into the Coast Guard, she has been credited for the advancement of over 30 service-wide policy changes.

In this episode she unpacks what carrying the badge of whistleblower brings and how she has had to build up her self esteem. She shares how she doesn't let fear get in her way of having the audacity to be her full self and so much more!