"We are not a monolith: Our experiences of what it means to be black in America aren't alike. The question at hand is, what is our unifying factor? What will bring us all together in order to create a driving force to change our trajectory?"-Amanda Seales

Stretching: The Race toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in America is a dynamic book about growth and perseverance, from my perspective. As a black woman, my ideas, experiences, and voice have often been silenced and diminished, so I wanted to write a book to serve as a guide or roadmap for other people of color and women who find it difficult to flourish in male-dominated fields. I wanted to demonstrate the value of diversity and inclusion within all aspects of life based on my experiences.

Anything that grows must be pruned to flourish.

Life has a way of pruning each of us through pain and loss. We can choose to die on the vine or stretch towards the sunlight to grow beyond what we think are our personal and professional limits. I have chosen to stretch and now I am ready to conquer new, uncharted territories in business, relationships and personal growth.

I invite you to do the same.