How Can I Be an Ally to the Vulnerable?

This week at I Am Here, we’re asking: How can I be an ally to the vulnerable?

• Allyship isn’t just a label, it is a commitment to act thoughtfully and consistently.
• Those who hold privilege have an opportunity and responsibility to help level the playing field.
• Real change happens through small, deliberate actions – one compassionate conversation, gesture or choice at a time.

What Are We Watching This Week?

We’re watching 3 Ways to Be a Better Ally in the Workplace, by writer and advocate Melinda Epler.

Using her own experience, she talks about how important it is for people to be allies to those who have less privilege, or are underrepresented in the workplace.

“We’re taught to believe that hard work and dedication will lead to success, but that’s not always the case. Gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation are among the many factors that affect our chances,” she says.

In this actionable talk, Epler shares three ways to support people who are underrepresented in the workplace. “There’s no magic wand for correcting diversity and inclusion,” she reflects. “Change happens one person at a time, one act at a time, one word at a time.”

Watch the video clip here (9-minute watch)

What Are We Reading This Week? 

We’re reading Seven Ways to Be a Better Ally, published by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). Being an ally can be an effective way to promote fairness and inclusion.

Allyship is about actively supporting fairness and inclusion, from listening and learning, to speaking up for those whose voices go unheard. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being present.

For anyone interested in bringing about positive social change, the article details seven ways to be a good ally.

Read the article (5-minute read)

Who Are We Quoting This Week?

“Being an ally, first of all, is a constant act — not a state of being.”

– Dana Alison Levy, Being an Ally

At I Am Here, we believe allyship is something you do, not a badge you wear. It’s about listening deeply, speaking thoughtfully, stepping back so others can step forward—and acting with empathy and purpose.