5 Things / Lanes

I didn’t know the full story of Juneteenth until a few years ago. I’d heard of it, but never really understood it. That’s embarrassing to admit as someone who’s done inclusion work for nearly two decades. But the truth is, I stayed in my lane. My gay lane. I called myself an ally, but I wasn’t practicing intentional allyship. I was safe. Comfortable. Separate.

Inclusion doesn’t happen by accident. Our brains crave the familiar, the safe, and comfort often defaults to exclusion. These days, I feel the pull of safety again: business is slow, the climate is chilling, and shrinking back into my lane feels comfy. But I’ve never grown from staying safe. I’ve grown from the surprising conversations, the awkward questions, the experiences that cracked something open in me.

I get to practice every day on the pickleball court. I meet people different from me, and if I choose, I let curiosity lead. So if you’re feeling the pull toward comfort like I am, let this be your invitation: get out of your lane. Not because you know what to say, but because you're willing to listen, learn, and keep showing up.

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This Week's Good Vibes:

1. Pay, Finally, Catches the Pom-Poms

   • The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) are finally getting what they deserve—a 400% raise. This was revealed in Season 2 of Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts. One cheerleader shared that her hourly rate jumped from $15 to over $75, closing the gap between athletes and the “entertainment staff” who train like pros but have been paid like part-timers. This milestone, while long overdue, matters because it chips away at the systemic undervaluing of women’s labor, especially in feminized roles that require physical precision, aesthetic upkeep, and emotional labor. The DCC does not have a union and faces potential job loss, but their courage sends a bold message to gig workers and performers everywhere. And yes, there’s still no health insurance, but this is a momentum shift. ♐ Advocate even when a union isn’t backing you.

2. Jersey Says: Show Us the Money

   • New Jersey has a new law, effective June 1, requiring employers with 10+ employees to disclose salary ranges and benefits for all posted jobs and transfer opportunities. It’s one of only a few states mandating that both pay and perks be listed, pushing back against vague phrases like “competitive pay” and “great benefits.” This is especially significant for women, BIPOC folks, and others historically excluded from insider salary intel, who’ve long been left negotiating in the dark. With wage ranges required to show clear start and end points—no more “up to $35/hour” nonsense—this law chips away at the secrecy that feeds systemic pay gaps. ♐ Transparency doesn’t solve everything, but it does level a playing field too often tilted against marginalized talent.

3. Spyglass Ceiling: Shattered at Last

   • For the first time in its 116-year history, MI6—Britain’s foreign intelligence agency—will be led by a woman. Blaise Metreweli will take the helm as “C.” This is a major crack in the white male stronghold of global intelligence leadership, an elite realm where women, especially in senior roles, have been nearly invisible. Metreweli currently oversees tech innovation to counter state surveillance. In an era of escalating geopolitical tension and AI-fueled espionage, appointing a woman steeped in both policy and technical expertise is both timely and tectonic. ♐ Don’t wait 116 years to promote trailblazers!

4. The World’s Most Inclusive Gym

   • Chattooga Gymnastics in Georgia may be the only gym in the world to fully integrate athletes across age, gender, and ability. Founded in 1976, it now trains elite Special Olympians, national champions with Down syndrome, and families across generations, all on the same team. In May, Chattooga became the first U.S. group invited to Germany’s Turnfest, performing as part of an International Inclusion Team, and earning the only standing ovation. Many of its athletes have been training there for decades, a rarity in a sport that usually pushes people out young. In a world where most gyms say “no” to disabled athletes, Chattooga is the global proof point that excellence doesn’t require exclusion. ♐ Design programs where everyone contributes.

5. Dubai Ditches Fridays (For Some)

   • Starting July 1, Dubai’s public sector will test a bold shift: a four-day workweek during peak summer heat. The “Our Flexible Summer” program allows thousands of government workers to either take Fridays off or work shortened hours, aiming to boost well-being, family time, and performance, especially during school holidays. Last year’s pilot found that 98% of participants reported higher happiness and improved performance. While it’s currently limited to government entities, this initiative sends a powerful signal across the Gulf region: flexible, people-first work cultures can drive institutional excellence, and this especially benefits workers in marginalized groups – especially those who are caregivers. ♐ Pilot flex schedules in high-burnout seasons.

Good Vibes to Go:

Laugh a little! Check out Atsuko Okatsuka’s new standup special, Father, on Hulu. I’ll be watching it this weekend.