I am from the South Side of Chicago.
That tells you as much about me as you need to know.
It was a typical working-class community.
Some good music, some good barbecue,
some good times.
So little of who I am
happened in those eight years.
So much more of who I was happened before.
In high school, your guidance counselor
didn't see in you what you saw in yourself.
Yeah. She decided I was reaching too high.
How did you, as a black woman, persevere?
We can't afford to wait for the world to be equal
to start feeling seen.
I feel like I got to share with you all
that the energy that's out there
is much better than what we see.
How's everybody doing?
As my mother would say,
Michelle and Barack Obama aren't special.
There are millions of Michelle and Barack Obamas
all over the world.
If we can open up a little bit more to each other
and share our stories,
that's what breaks down barriers.
Wow.
I am becoming a strong, confident
fierce girl who realizes
that I have the power to change the world.
This is totally me,
unplugged for the first time.