Tanisha Arena is a Black woman in community leadership as the executive director of ARISE for Social Justice, occupying the world’s messiest intersection, the space where race, gender, culture, identity, politics, history, and the law all collide. She is a commissioner on the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, advocating for the needs of women and girls across the Commonwealth. She has a passion for social justice, authentic leadership, and speaking truth to power. She is the host of the award-winning podcast, Unapologetic, bringing the hard truths of our social issues to the forefront, connecting past to the present. As a consultant for Growing A New Heart, she trains on Holding Space: holding affinity, anti-racism, self-education, support groups and on Dialogues Across Differences of social location, including race and ethnicity, as well as Compassionate Accountable Conversations for those who work with people who cause harm. She is a founding advisory board member of Call for Change, a free, anonymous, and confidential intimate partner abuse prevention helpline. She teaches for The Sojourner Truth School as well, all focused on teaching new ways to build connections, facilitate learning, and drive social change. She is a published author, speaker, freelance writer, system disrupter and change agent. Her best and favorite role is Gram to Penelope (Miss P), Jaalan (pronounced Jay-len), Jr. (JJ) and Kyle, Jr (KJ)