“I am enough”. This affirmation creates a feeling of pride, a feeling of hope, a feeling that releases imperfections. This is a shift in the conversation of standing in your truth, and owning that regardless of the odds against you, your past or your failures, you matter, you are enough and the world needs you, because the fact will always remain that no one can do or be you.

Shantae J. Edwards, is a native of Chicago, first of seven children, and first-generation college graduate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is passionate about exposure, education, college access and media awareness for youth. She is the Digital Outreach and Engagement Director with The Future Project, Inc. where she works with the team who believes in all people living a life full of passion and purpose.

Shantae’s the founder of I AM D.O.P.E., Inc. (Dreaming Of Possibilities Everyday), a self-empowerment and story-sharing enterprise. A platform designed to create narratives to save humanity, one story at a time through workshops, speaking engagements, blog writing and transformative programing. She is a "Certified Passion Pusher" and inspirational speaker, using self-expression and empowerment to change the world one high-five at a time.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx