How to Speak Up When the System Wasn't Built for You (Part 1)

Episode Overview

In this powerful Part 1 conversation, hosts Chris Wong and Lucie Tesarova sit down with Gift Tshuma — disability rights advocate, accessibility specialist, musician, and co-founder of Tshuma Consulting — to explore what advocacy really means, why storytelling is its foundation, and how to navigate the difficult conversations that come with pushing for inclusion in organizations and systems that weren't designed for everyone.

Guest

Gift Tshuma (He/Him)

• Advocacy Specialist, March of Dimes Canada
• Co-Executive Director, Blurring the Boundaries — an organization creating accessible digital instruments for people with disabilities (UK & Canada)
• Co-Founder, Tshuma Consulting — accessibility assessments, training, and strategic consulting
• EDI Officer, The Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts
• Musician & Artist — R&B/Gospel singer, co-founder of United Tribulation Choir, trained in classical and jazz vocals, mentored by Oliver Jones
• Originally from Zimbabwe, based in Canada
• 35+ years of lived experience and 17+ years of leadership in accessibility & inclusion
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gift-tshuma

Key Topics Discussed

• Advocacy as storytelling and influence
• Overcoming fear and internal barriers
• Strategic influence and systemic change

Notable Quotes

"Access isn't something that you just give. It's not served on a silver platter. You have to fight for it. And you have to sometimes build it yourself."

"Advocacy isn't charity work. It's not about being a hero. It's about shifting the power and building disability literacy."

"When you are not telling your story, you are robbing someone for their life to be changed."

"I'm not arguing about ramps or software. I'm arguing about whose time matters, whose comfort level matters, whose productivity is treated as a default."

"We are community-based beings that need support from everyone. Don't be ashamed to ask for help."

This Week's Challenge

Pick one thing you've been wanting to advocate for. Be it at work, in your community, or in your personal life, and practice telling that story to someone you trust. Start in a low-stakes environment, just like Gift did. Get comfortable with your story before you bring it to the room that needs to hear it.

Connect with the Hosts

Email – tas.difficultconversations@gmail.com

• Chris – https://www.myleadershippotential.com | www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc | download the Difficult Conversation Playbook for Leaders
• Lucie – www.mindfittery.com | www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova and take the Saboteur Assessment

Next Episode Preview

Coming Next Week: Part 2 of our conversation with Gift Tshuma — including role play scenarios that bring these advocacy conversations to life.

Remember: When you communicate better, you live better.