Welcome to yTeamer’s Supporting yTeamers !
Flourishing February. It’s been a month that has seen yTeamers step up and make a difference within their worlds. Just like January’s edition, the second instalment of yTeamer’s Supporting yTeamers features AWESOME projects that our yTeam are a part of. So, how do we support them? Read below to find out!
Kat Williams’ Documentary – Tom Lidell, SA yTeamer
I feel as though the yTeam could have their own Oscars with the sheer amount of quality we have with Film and TV! Tom recently secured funding for his documentary about an Olympic skateboarder Kat Williams. Here’s Tom’s rundown of Kat’s story and the documentary:
Kat grew up in a small country town in the Adelaide hills and started skateboarding because her big brother did. Some 20 years later Kat found herself standing in the Olympic arena at the Tokyo games. How Kat got there is a story full pain and many broken bones but ultimately resilience and pure grit. Our film tells the story of how this young girl turned skateboarding in Australia on its head and is leaving a legacy that will inspire the next generation of skateboarders.
What do you love about the yLead community and why do you keep contributing and connecting?
Hi, I’m Tom Liddel. I am a 23-year old yTeamer from Adelaide and I first met yLead back in 2016 at ASLC. I love the yLead community because yLead is like a childhood friend from your hometown. You spend some really formative years together. You go through a lot of growth, and the experiences that you share are super foundational to who you are as an adult. Sometimes you won’t see each other for months or even years but every now and then you will bump into each other serendipitously and it’s like no time has passed. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been between drinks, yLead is there to lend an ear and cover your round..
What is your ultimate goal? You know, the big one, if failure is no option? Dream big, we are here to support you!
Simply put, my goal is to share Kat’s story. That is my focus. Anything on top of that is a bonus.
What is the biggest win that you have had?
Securing a grant of $10,000 to go towards production costs was a huge win both finically and creatively. It means that not only is our project economically viable but also creatively responsible. It was a huge tick that I was heading the right way with the direction and artistic voice of the film. It was a $10,000 vote of confidence in me and my team.
Tell us what inspired you to start your project?
I am lucky enough to be working with some incredible people on this film. One of those said people is Rachael Williams, who is a co-producer on the project and also happens to be Kat’s sister. At the time Rach and I were both working at the Adelaide Fringe Festival together. I walked into the office on a Wednesday morning and the first thing Rach said to me was “Should we make a documentary about Kat?” and that’s how the film came about. I can summarise what inspired me to make this film in 3 words: legacy, representation and opportunity.
What has been the biggest challenge (so far) that you have faced?
COVID. Logistically speaking, filmmaking is complicated, particularly when interstate travel is involved. We were fortunate enough to spend some time shooting in Mansfield, Victoria, where one of the Olympic camps was taking place. Getting the timing of this trip right was exponentially difficult and took months of planning and re-planning. I think ultimately these kinds of obstacles are a good thing for creativity. They force you to think outside the box and constantly reconsider and revaluate.
What is something that this whole process has taught you?
I had never considered myself a director of documentary. It was never a part of the original plan. Having said this, I find myself in circumstances that I could only dream of 12 months ago. I find myself in the place that I have worked very hard to get to, but getting here looked very different to what I initially planned. The biggest take away, be open and flexible with your life. Tunnel vision only leads to disappointment. Look around for a while and take a moment. Otherwise, you’ll miss all the cool stuff that you never even thought was possible.
How can we support you?
Actively watch stuff. Stop re-watching the office for the 50th time. Watch short films. Watch documentaries. Go to film festivals and watch movies with weird German subtitles. You’ll be better for it, trust me. Doing this not only broadens your mind but it also supports an entire industry that has been decimated the last 2 years. Support independent artists like myself by watching the stuff we make. It’s as simple as that. If you want to know more about the film then keep an eye on my Instagram. We are hoping to release later this year so stay tuned.
Keep an eye out for the release date of Tom’s documentary!
*CONTENT WARNING*
This next section discusses sexual violence. We want everyone to feel safe, so if this is something that might be triggering or upsetting please skip down the page to our following yTeamer’s section.
Imperative Project AUS – Mikaylah East (VIC yTeamer)
Hi, I’m Mikayla East or Mik. I am 22 years old hailing from Geelong in Victoria and I first met yLead in 2018 at ASLC Melbourne. My newest little side project is called ‘The Imperative Project Australia’. We all know that sometimes all it takes to change the world is a little support. Since this project’s founding in 2021, I have been determined to make an impact. The core of this organisation is to bring passion and perspective together to help educate young people in consent and healthy relationships.
What do you love about the yLead community and why do you keep contributing and connecting?
yLead is a community like no other. I think we all, at the core of it, have the same reasons to keep coming back, to keep connecting, learning and sharing with the most amazing and inspiring group of people EVA!!
What is your ultimate goal? You know, the big one, if failure is no option? Dream big, we are here to support you!
I want to create a safe space for any survivors of sexual assault or violence and allies where they feel heard and understood. I want to spread awareness on imperative topics, like but not limited to, consent education and training, understanding your own voice and boundaries and understanding the voice and boundaries of others. But I guess my big goal is to do what yLead does. I want to get out there and facilitate sessions. I want to be in schools face to face with young people and really reach them. That is my goal for this year, to facilitate at least one school session.
What is the biggest win that you have had?
The biggest win is having so many women in my DMs sharing their own stories. Feeling safe enough to do so really really makes me feel like what I am doing is worth it.
Tell us what inspired you to start your project?
I was raped in late 2019 and it really knocked me, as it would for anyone. I have always been an extremely passionate feminist and never saw myself as “the type” to be assaulted or taken advantage of. After a lot of suppressing, self destructive behaviour, isolating myself and then therapy I came to terms that there is no “type” of person who is taken advantage of. It is a deeply ingrained pattern in our society. Rape culture. And after a lot more therapy I decided that I needed to do something about it.
What has been the biggest challenge (so far) that you have faced?
Covid has been a huge challenge. Lockdowns meant no visitors to schools and a few talks that I had booked had to be cancelled. Another huge challenge is the vulnerability that comes with sharing my story and spreading awareness. It is tough telling my story over and over. It doesn’t get easier however I think I do get stronger each time I tell it.
What is something that this whole process has taught you?
This process has taught me so much. I’ve learnt a lot about ABNs and taxes lol. A lot about running my own business. But I think the main thing I’ve learnt is that I should have confidence in myself. I tend to second guess just about everything that I do and The Imperative Project Aus was no different. The support as well as the vulnerability shared in return, gave me the assurance I needed to continue with what I’m doing.
How can we support you?
A follow or like on socials would help IMMENSELY. You can find the Imperative Project Aus on Facebook and Instagram. You could also check out the website and have a read of what we are all about. Most of all, you can help spread the word by telling friends/ family/ colleagues about us and what we do or sharing our posts on your socials. By calling out harmful and dangerous behaviour. By encouraging those around you to take up space, to call it out, to hold others accountable and set their own boundaries.
Give Mik and the Imperative Project Australia a follow on socials on Instagram and Facebook. The handle is @imperativeprojectaus. It would be really appreciated if you give it a like, follow, and share to spread Mik’s message!
Neurodiversity Advocate – Nesceda Blake (VIC yTeamer)
HEY! I’m Nesceda Blake but you can call me Nes or Nesy. I am 22 years old from Avondale Heights in Victoria and I first met yLead at Girls for Change 2015! I wrote and shared an article about the barriers to employment for neurodivergent people, and the neurotypical standards of professionalism that hold us back from finding and maintaining fulfilling jobs. It has since inspired recruiters, employers and professionals around the world to change their tune about what it means to be truly inclusive.
What do you love about the yLead community and why do you keep contributing and connecting?
I had a really tough time in school as an autistic teenager. I felt like no one was able to understand or connect with my passions and energy for life. I was School Captain, but didn’t have many friends. I masked my autistic traits every day and would come home exhausted and burned out. Going to the Girls for Change conference as a 16-year-old was the first time I connected with others who were just as excited and keen for change as I was. I love that the yLead community celebrates everyone, bringing focus onto our differences and strengths for the greater good. As of late I’ve really enjoyed seeing the yLead community evolve and grow through the toughest two years of our lives. I am still connected to the community because I know for a fact that of the thousands of young people that are positively impacted by the work of yLead, there’s hundreds that are neurodivergent (autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, tic disorders, mental illness, etc.), and they’re encouraged to learn and focus on their strengths and skills.
What is your ultimate goal? You know, the big one, if failure is no option? Dream big, we are here to support you!
This is a massive question! I’ve really contemplated so many different careers and paths for my life. I want to bring positive change to the world around me. That may be through my performing arts work, it may be autism advocacy, or it may be something else entirely that I don’t know yet.
If I had to give myself an ultimate goal, it’s to do something that allows me to empower and enlighten others, and honour myself in the process. By that, I mean I want to do something that gives people strength without depleting my strength. It means bringing my whole self to my work, but not sacrificing myself. I just want to have a reason to laugh and smile every day. I hope my new job will do that.
I’d also like a house with a garden, verandah, and a rocking chair.
What is the biggest win that you have had?
Honestly, the biggest win has to be the article I’ve written. Off the back of thousands of likes, comments and shares of my article, I shared my feedback with the recruitment firm, one of the biggest in Australia. The firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Director called me personally, and admitted that I was absolutely right, their marketing department was embarrassed, and they had committed to changing all of their material and forming an advisory group, purely off the back of my feedback, article, and response to my article. I’ve also had CEOs, employers and recruiters reach out asking for my collaboration, insight and feedback.
Approximately one in 10 people in the world are neurodivergent (Neurodiversity Hub). When you think of it like that, 10% of people are disproportionately missing out on opportunities to be gainfully employed because they are not being accommodated, understood, or welcomed as they truly are. To me, making the recruitment and employment process more accessible and genuinely inclusive is a no-brainer. While they were only my words, and I am one autistic person, I am so glad that so many people have connected with my story to make bigger waves.
Tell us what inspired you to start your project?
I left my job with an autism organisation to prioritise my mental health. On the job search, I worked with a recruiter for a particular role. I had been upfront about being autistic and talked about how my strengths are actually because of my autistic neurology. He was very understanding and receptive, however when preparing for the first-round interview, he sent me a guide of ‘how to prepare for a video interview’. It had all kinds of tips and suggestions that were not inclusive or understanding of my neurodivergence. Telling me that it’s important to maintain eye contact and not fidget, when these things have nothing to do with my ability to do a job, and everything to do with appearing neurotypical (non-neurodivergent). This attitude towards recruitment is the reason why the employment rate is extremely low for neurodivergent and disabled people, and I had to express my thoughts about it. So I wrote.
What has been the biggest challenge (so far) that you have faced?
In recent times, it was leaving my previous job, which I only did about a month ago. That was hard. I provided autism information and advice to people via phone, email and webchat. I think I went into it a bit naively. There was a point in the 2020 lockdown that I really began to delve deeper and learn to understand myself. I thought things were much better for the autistic community in Australia than they actually are.
Hearing about autistic people’s difficulties (because no one calls a helpline when things are going well), day in, day out, took a toll on my mental health. It meant that I was exposed to vicarious trauma of people with the same difficulties (often far worse) that I have had. Something as simple as ‘I think I’m autistic, how do I get a diagnosis?’ was not straight forward. Wait times are often over a year, for adults there’s no funding, for kids there’s only a little bit of funding. And then there’s the likelihood that the professional doesn’t even know autism well enough and doesn’t agree with your identity. So while people call feeling hopeful at their new discovery, I felt awful having to tell them that the system is not meeting the demands. And that’s just the simple enquiries.
I left when I realised I couldn’t do the job, and still feel good about myself in the process. I can educate and share my story in a far more empowering way, on my own terms.
What is something that this whole process has taught you?
Honestly, it’s taught me that my voice can actually be powerful and change things. And that people want to listen to me. I seriously didn’t expect the recruitment firm to get back to me about my feedback. It’s only through other people’s connection and willingness to learn that have elevated my story to a level I didn’t expect. I don’t have the clout to do this kind of thing on my own, so I’m just so grateful that people are connecting, commenting and sharing my story to spark change.
How can we support you?
The best way to support me is to actively learn about autism and neurodiversity, and how it shapes our world. If you think your workplace needs to do more to support and welcome neurodivergent people, share my article with them as a conversation starter. We need to talk about these things.
I’m more than open to connections on LinkedIn and am working on a website. Feel free to message me if you want to know some of my favourite resources.
Thank you for giving the second edition of yTeamer’s Supporting yTeamers a read and supporting our community even more! Make sure you check out everyone’s social pages and give them a like, a follow, and share their stuff around to raise awareness on societal issues and show off some of the cool stuff our yTeam have been doing!
If you know of any of our yTeam doing some incredible projects, campaigns, starting businesses, writing music, etc., and you would like to “dob them in”, please email George at george@ylead.com.au. Let him know who is doing what so he can reach out and we can support each other the best we can!
