Rafael Nunez Jr.’s Post

There’s a heavy burden I’d like to candidly share with hopes to find advocates and change at least one life today. I’ve never posted anything like this but I feel the need to be a vessel. Among all the phenomenal people I had the privilege to meet at RSAC, I met a woman who transitioned into Cybersecurity after 10 years in IT. Her name is Tibet Rowlette. She’s learned a lot in the last 3 years. I acknowledged her courage for reinventing herself and taking on a new career and offered ways to serve as a mentor or a connector as she navigates in our industry. She seemed grateful for my willingness to help but calmly countered my ideas to assist with this heartfelt and sincere response: “I’d like to meet more people of color in cyber…” “It’s a little hard when I look around at an event like this and not many people look like me; not only being black but also being a woman.” I couldn’t counter this. It made me nostalgic. ”Rafael, what are you doing?” “Why are you taking on this topic?” “It’s not an issue until you bring it up.” It’s ok because I am not asking anything of anyone who can’t relate. I am not asking for favors or special accommodations. This is not about racism or descrimination. This is about connecting humans and creating a portal to a community of hope that shows they are not alone. I am exclusively doing the best I can to connect Tibet to fellow cyber professionals in my network and beyond. Folks who can embrace and welcome her as she grows and contributes in our career field. Why? Because I can and because it’s right. I am also a minority. Not a victim but I know what it’s like to struggle with being different and attempting to fit in, dimming my culture to be accepted or feeling alone when no one looks like me in some professional circles. Taking the liberty to tag personal friends, leaders, practitioners and influencers who I am certain will rise and respond to this calling. Jerich Beason Kerstin Zell Eddie Thomason Chris Cochran Samara R. Williams 🔸️ ☁️ Christophe Foulon 🎯 Anthony Johnson Erika Jones Charles Nwatu Ashley Tolbert Tia (Yatia) Hopkins Fredrick Lee Tami Hudson Marcus J. Carey Davin Jackson CISSP, GPEN, CPT, CCP, CCFE AJ Yawn M. K. Palmore, CISM, CISSP Tibet - get ready! Your extended cyber family is about to get a little bigger 🤗 🚀! #cyber #leadership #diversity #womenincybersecurity #change