Redefining Power: How the Intersectional Majority is Transforming Leadership and Equity

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Imagine a kaleidoscope—a dynamic, shifting interplay of radiant light and colour, where each turn reveals a breathtakingly unique pattern. This is the power of intersectionality: unapologetically complex, infinitely resilient, and brimming with untapped potential. For far too long, the Intersectional Majority—the 99.5% of people whose lives are shaped by overlapping systems of privilege and marginalisation—has been relegated to the edges of leadership, innovation, and power. Yet it is in these very margins that brilliance flourishes, resilience is born, and the opportunity to rewrite the rules of inclusion emerges.

Last week, we introduced the Privilege Pyramid, a framework designed to help us better understand our place within systems of power and marginalisation. This week, we take it further. Together, we’ll explore actionable strategies to reclaim our narratives, transform identities into superpowers, and drive equity-driven leadership into the future.

Are you ready to unlock your superpower, reclaim what has always been yours, and reshape the future? Let’s begin.

A Complex Tapestry of Identity

Growing up, my identity was woven from many threads—each one vibrant, unique, and occasionally conflicting. As a Black, gay, neurodivergent man, I found myself navigating a world that often refused to see me as a whole person. Moving between Ghana and the UK, I learned to adapt, to translate my existence into contexts that weren’t always designed to embrace me.

Each new environment brought with it assumptions and hierarchies, layering complexity onto who I was and who I was becoming. What I discovered through these experiences is simple yet profound: systems that were built to exclude us can only be changed if we imagine and create something better from within.

These lived realities became the foundation for my mission to empower the Intersectional Majority. Through the Intersectional Cultural Consciousness™ (ICC™) framework, I provide tools to reclaim narratives, build resilience, and transform the systems that were never intended to help us thrive into ones that celebrate our potential.

The Privilege Pyramid: Awareness in Action

At the heart of these inequitable systems lies the Privilege Pyramid, a tool I developed to map the layered inequalities shaping our lives. But this is not a tool of blame—it’s a framework for transformation, offering a way to understand where we stand and how we can rise together.

1. The Privileged Core
This small but powerful group holds disproportionate access to resources, influence, and decision-making. Think of corporate boards dominated by cisgender white men, persisting despite decades of diversity initiatives.

2. The Middle Layers
Those in these layers hold situational privilege, accessing opportunities but still navigating systemic barriers. Picture a woman of colour in middle management, celebrated for breaking glass ceilings but still hitting walls of bias.

3. The Intersectional Majority
This is the foundation of our societies—marginalised yet resilient. These are the frontline workers, caregivers, and grassroots innovators who, despite intersecting barriers like racism, ableism, and poverty, continue to drive change.

But where do you see yourself within this framework? Understanding your place is the first step. The next is taking bold, collective action to transform these dynamics together.

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Flipping the Script: Transforming Marginalisation into Power

What if everything society dismissed about you—your challenges, your identity, your struggles—was actually your greatest strength? Transformation isn’t just a goal; it’s a rebellion against systems that thrive on exclusion. Marginalisation, when reframed, becomes fertile ground for innovation, resilience, and new paradigms to flourish. Here’s how we start flipping the script:

1. Storytelling as Liberation

Stories are the bridges that connect us, the sparks that ignite movements, and the tools that break chains of oppression. From the rise of #MeToo to the global impact of Black Lives Matter, storytelling has shattered silence, exposed injustice, and galvanised systemic change. Yet, storytelling isn’t just for the collective—it starts with you.

Your story is your superpower. It’s how you reclaim your narrative and reshape the world around you. When shared authentically, your experiences inspire empathy, challenge norms, and foster solidarity. They remind the world that your voice matters.

But storytelling comes with risks. Sharing personal truths can make us vulnerable, exposing us to emotional labour or backlash. That’s why safe, empowering spaces are vital—places where your voice can flourish without fear.

Example: A gay activist transformed their coming-out story into a blog that resonated worldwide. They later partnered with mental health organisations to create storytelling workshops, equipping others to share their narratives safely and confidently.

Reflection: What chapter of your life could ignite change? If you told your story today, how could it challenge the status quo and inspire others?

2. Collective Action Rooted in Self-Care

The power of the Intersectional Majority lies in its ability to act collectively. Grassroots organising—be it mutual aid networks, food justice initiatives, or advocacy campaigns—fills the gaps left by systemic neglect. But no movement can thrive if its lifeblood is constantly drained by burnout.

Self-care isn’t indulgence; it’s strategy. Building sustainability into activism ensures that both individuals and movements endure. When activists embed practices like mindfulness, communal rest, or wellness retreats, they cultivate resilience for themselves and the causes they champion.

Example: A London-based food bank revitalised its volunteers by introducing “Wellness Wednesdays,” which offered yoga sessions, mental health support, and shared meals. The result? A more potent, more cohesive team that was better equipped to serve its community.

Reflection: How can you integrate self-care into your advocacy? What routines, spaces, or rituals will ensure you can keep showing up for the most important causes?

3. Empowered Allyship: A Journey, Not a Destination

True allyship isn’t a badge to wear—it’s a responsibility to act. It’s not about speaking louder; it’s about amplifying marginalised voices. Allyship demands humility, a willingness to make mistakes, and a commitment to continuous growth.

Privilege isn’t a shield; it’s a tool. Allies must wield it to dismantle inequities, disrupt bias, and create spaces where diverse identities thrive. Empowered allyship requires more than performative gestures—building trust, taking accountability, and embedding equity into everything you do.

Key Principles of Evolving Allyship:

• Listen to learn, not to respond.

• Educate yourself on the systemic barriers others face.

• Embrace feedback, no matter how uncomfortable, as a roadmap for growth.

Example: A corporate leader moved from token gestures like organising diversity events to implementing mentorship programs for marginalised employees and embedding DEI metrics into the company’s long-term strategy. By acting on honest feedback, they shifted from performative to meaningful allyship.

Reflection: What will your allyship look like in action? How can you wield privilege as a force for equity, not comfort?

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The Call to Rewrite the Narrative

Reclaiming your story. Resting in your worth. Standing as an ally. These are the actions that flip the script. Transformation doesn’t happen overnight but with every step—no matter how small—you dismantle exclusion systems and build something new, something equitable.

So, what’s your first move? Will you take the risk to share your truth? Commit to care for yourself and your community. Or use your privilege to challenge inequity? The future of leadership and inclusion isn’t written yet—but together, we can write it.

From Awareness to Action: Strategies for Transformation

The leap from understanding inequities to actively dismantling them requires courage, intention, and clear strategies. Here’s how to transform awareness into empowerment and rewrite the rules for a more inclusive future:

1. Reframe Limiting Beliefs

Marginalisation often comes with narratives of self-doubt and exclusion. But when you challenge these narratives, barriers transform into stepping stones.

How to Begin:

• Create “I Am…” affirmations to rewrite your story with power and purpose.

• Ground your confidence in past achievements and remind yourself of your resilience.

Example: A woman of colour working in a predominantly white corporate environment once thought, “I don’t belong here.” By reframing her belief into, “I am a trailblazer, paving the way for others like me,” she not only gained confidence but inspired her colleagues to rethink their own biases.

Reflection: What limiting beliefs are holding you back? How can you replace them with affirmations that celebrate your strength?

2. Build Intersectional Coalitions

Strength lies in unity across differences. Coalitions that embrace diversity, while rallying around shared goals, amplify their collective impact and drive lasting change.

Example 1: A climate justice coalition brought together Indigenous activists, urban youth, and low-income communities to highlight how environmental degradation disproportionately impacts marginalised groups. Their united voice influenced local policies to prioritise vulnerable populations.
Example 2: LGBTQ+ rights activists partnered with disability advocates to ensure accessibility and inclusivity became a standard for all events, creating a more equitable space for everyone.

Reflection: Who can you collaborate with to magnify your efforts? What shared goals can unite your coalition across differences?

3. Take Ownership of the Narrative

For too long, marginalised communities have been spoken about rather than heard. Taking ownership of your story is an act of defiance—a way to disrupt cycles of exclusion and reclaim agency.

How to Take Action:

• Use platforms like podcasts, blogs, and storytelling circles to amplify authentic voices.

• Design digital campaigns that celebrate diverse identities and challenge stereotypes.

Example: A refugee community launched a storytelling initiative using video diaries. These videos documented the resilience and aspirations of their members, transforming public perception from pity to admiration and shifting narratives toward empowerment.

Reflection: How will you tell your story? What platforms can you use to ensure your voice resonates beyond the echo chambers of marginalisation?

The Future Is Intersectional

Now, imagine a world where intersectional identities are celebrated rather than marginalised. A world where cultural heritage seamlessly integrates with cutting-edge technology, creating spaces that inspire, empower, and uplift.

This is Intersectional Futurism™—a framework that positions diversity not as a challenge but as the catalyst for systemic transformation. It envisions a future where mental health isn’t a luxury but the foundation for thriving communities and innovative leadership.

"Your healing journey is like a phoenix rising—burning away limiting narratives to reveal the brilliance within."

Through the ICC™ framework, individuals and organisations can harness the unique strengths of intersectional identities, turning adversity into superpowers. Together, we can shape a future as diverse and dynamic as the people within it.

Call to Action: Join the Movement

This isn’t just an article—it’s an invitation to be part of something greater. The Intersectional Majority is a movement built on the resilience, stories, and advocacy of individuals like you. Together, we can redefine power and lead the way toward equity.

Take the Next Step:

1. Discover Your Power: Take the Discover Your Intersectional Cultural Identity and Mindscape™ assessment to explore the unique layers of your identity.

   • Take the Assessment Now →

2. Share Your Story: Use #IntersectionalMajority on social media to connect with others, share your journey, and inspire change.

3. Join the Conversation: Become part of a community that celebrates intersectionality as a strength, not a barrier.

"Your identity is your superpower. Let’s harness it together to create a world where everyone belongs."

About the Author: Jarell Bempong

Jarell Bempong is an award-winning thought leader, ICC™ therapist, and the visionary behind Intersectional Futurism™. A Black, gay, neurodivergent man, Jarell has transformed his lived experiences of navigating overlapping systems of privilege and marginalisation into powerful frameworks that inspire change.

As the creator of the Intersectional Cultural Consciousness™ (ICC™) framework, Jarell empowers individuals and organisations to turn identity into a superpower, fostering equity, resilience, and leadership. His groundbreaking approach prioritises mental health as the foundation for thriving individuals and inclusive systems, redefining what it means to lead in the modern world.

Through workshops, keynotes, and actionable strategies, Jarell challenges the status quo, creating futures that celebrate diversity and innovation.

🌍 Discover More: Visit www.bempongtalkingtherapy.com
🛠️ Transform Today: Take the Discover Your Intersectional Cultural Identity and Mindscape™ assessment and ignite your journey to equity and inclusion.

"Your identity is your superpower—let’s harness it together to create a world where everyone belongs."