Professionalism & Authenticity - Krystle Alomar

On ¿Quién Tú Eres? podcast, we explore the conflict we often face between "professionalism" & being our authentic selves. We would love to feature everyone in our community on their own episode. That said, we publish one episode a week...so we created a story submission option for people to self-publish & share their experiences with the world. 

Tell me about a time when you repressed parts of your authentic self?

Krystle Alomar - I have always tried to be my authentic self.  But I noticed I went through a PTSD phase of repressing parts of myself, when I was gaslit and told "I am unapproachable" after I had been outspoken and advocated for myself towards supervisors/ employers.  And I noticed for a few years I would stay quiet and let things fester when certain things in the work place bothered me because I was afraid if being seen as the problem or if I got emotional or became passionate my message would be unheard and the take away would be "angry latina or angry black woman".

When do you feel the most comfortable being your authentic self?

Krystle Alomar - I definitely feel my most authentic self with family and friends, or when I am not the only person of color in the room and if there are other New Yorkers around me.

What would give you the confidence to be your authentic self, regardless the environment?

Krystle Alomar - I think the more I become better at communicating and honing those skills the more confident I feel in being myself.

Have a story to share? Let us know here for an opportunity to be featured in the podcast!