Say YES to YOU= NO to ABUSE!
India White • December 11, 2022
Say YES to YOU= NO to ABUSE!
Say YES to YOU = NO to ABUSE!- Dr. India White
So many times in life, it is tempting to desire to belong. We want to feel accepted. We’d like to be included in the next chapter of events. However, once we leave various functions, we feel like we’ve failed ourselves. Why? Well, we knew we would be mocked, or the laugh of the party. We’d be bullied by the same old individuals who act as if they were born GOD over us. Then, we endure the consequences throughout the week, ranging from being misunderstood, ripped off, and emotionally torn. WHY do we continue to put ourselves in harm’s way? It’s as if we hope that the same people who we know will hurt us will miraculously change and offer us that magical opportunity. Or, that person who never acknowledges your worth will some day make you see how much they value you. Come on now! When will this end? Answer: as soon as you say YES to you!
I have been honored to work with thousands of leaders from across the world. One thing never lies: how they make you feel and the accolades they give you in person and behind your back are one in the same. Sometimes, people will smile in your face while holding daggers of jealousy, malice, envy, greed, racism and more. You must learn to STOP
smiling in their face, and care enough about your self-worth, your family and your destiny to grow beyond their approval. Ask yourself, “What benefit has this truly served me, my business, or my family?” If you are struggling to find that answer, then let that struggle be your truth.
It's hard to swallow the truth that you’ve allowed yourself to be abused. Whether financially, emotionally, or spiritually, you believed in people who had no good intentions towards you. And yes, they got away with it….until judgment day. However, continue to focus on the good in life and learn to forgive and….LET GO! Fall OUT
of love with your abuser. STOP giving them front row access to your life. Even if you have to start over and unplug for a season from the fakery, do it. You were not destined to be someone else’s laughingstock, punching bag, or joke of the party. You have JUST AS MUCH value as they do! Now walk in it and refuse to go back to their shenanigans!
Here are some sure signs that you need to walk away and say YES to YOU:
1. They belittle you because of your race, upbringing or status in life
a. Some people have a way of trying to make you feel like you are worthless through their gaze, or comments they make about your appearance and more. They’ll give this gaze
as if they are looking down upon you like you are a peasant. They may comment about your outfit, your name, or your accolades in a way that says, “Oh well, you’re nothing so, whatever….lol!” You must learn how to not take this form of hatred personal. Some of these leaders have seen your worth, and they know what you have to offer. It’s interfered with how they felt about themselves. Unfortunately, it’s caused this type of a response. Go and be great beyond their gaze and the hatred that may come from them.
2. You ALWAYS get the short end of the stick
a. Unfortunately yes, it will always be the short end of the stick. And, it will dangle like a carrot over your head. This is a part of dealing with abuse. Did you think your abuser would have it any other way? Well, I’m here to tell you, this is part of the deal when working with individuals or establishing a relationship with someone who is NOT
for you or your well-being.
3. You feel like they are choking the life out of you
a. You will literally give the shirt off of your back for this individual or these people, because that is your nature. You love to pay it forward. Or, in a relationship, you are a Giver and they are the TAKER. Listen, when they do help you, you BETTER
pay them back or else they will remind you of how they helped you every waking second. They will place unrealistic demands on you, and won’t ever utter “Thank you”, because they are entitled to receive everything from you. In their eyes, they pretty much “own you”.
4. When you succeed, they go QUIET as if in mourning
a. Some people can like your posts if you are sick, mourning, or just lost your job. But, don’t open that business, write that book, or cross over into a promotion. It will turn them sick to their stomach because they are s till COMPARING themselves to you. You are their competition. They used you to step up…. never as a companion or a true friend or business partner. These people have ugly souls, and they are slowly rotting away because they refuse to get self-help and learn how to mature beyond basic emotions.
5. Every time you invest in them, you never benefit
a. Have you ever looked back and thought, “Well I’ve invested hundreds/thousands of dollars into this….where is my return on investment?” Guess what? It isn’t coming. Sorry to spit the truth, but sometimes you have to unplug because you will give your last into their traps. Unfortunately, many people never catch on it time, and end up on a roller coaster of chasing that wild dream, or getting caught up into various schemes. Choose to come out of empty promises, and move forward in your life.
6. When you give them your BEST, it is never good enough
a. Listen, as sad as this is, it is the truth. I’ve spent YEARS as a speaker, consultant, author, and after much success, there are still people in the market who deemed me as not good enough. These type of people will never promote you, offer you an opportunity, pay you what you are worth, or see your value. YOU ARE WASTING your time. It’s time for you to WAKE UP
and smell the coffee. Sometimes, you need to change your environment so you can LIVE and be celebrated and stop dealing with those who tolerate you.
Conclusion
Once you have decided that you want to truly live a quality life, take a moment to invest in yourself. Avoid those who belittle you because of your race. Refuse to do business if you’re always getting the short end of the stick. If they are choking the life out of you, choose to walk away. Find those who you can invest with and actually see the benefit. Find those who will celebrate your wins and will appreciate your best. Choose to put yourself first. It’s your time to win.
Let’s Get Gritty at the 2nd Annual Black Kids Love Math Summit in LA! 🔥 🎉 I’m super excited to announce that I’ll be speaking at the 2nd Annual Black Kids Love Math Summit in Los Angeles! This powerful event is all about equity, excellence, and empowering Black students in mathematics—and I’m honored to be part of it. My session will focus on a topic that’s near and dear to my heart: Cultivating G.R.I.T. in the Math Classroom. During this hands-on, engaging session, attendees will: * 📘 Flip through the G.R.I.T. Student Workbook—a powerful tool designed to build Growth mindset, Resilience, self-efficacy, and Time management in students. * 💡 Explore real strategies for integrating grit-building activities into your math instruction. * 💬 Discuss how to support students through productive struggle while helping them develop the confidence to succeed in rigorous academic environments. And then, later that evening... get ready for the IGNITE session! 🔥 We’ll dive deeper into the message that “GRIT is IT” when it comes to student achievement. We’ll talk about how grit transforms classroom culture, closes equity gaps, and turns math challenges into moments of triumph—for every student. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, parent, or advocate—this is your chance to get inspired, get equipped, and get gritty. 📍Los Angeles, here we come! Let’s empower our students, celebrate their brilliance, and make sure they know—Black Kids Love Math and they can excel in it too. #drindiawhite #grit #LetsGetGritty #BlackKidsLoveMath #lausd #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #nabse #aasa #math #studentachievement #equity #resilience #gritintheclassroom #california
Spiritual Grit in Hard Times – Let’s Get Gritty Podcast Ep. 104 Recap We’re back with another powerful episode of the *Let’s Get Gritty Podcast*—and Episode 104 is one you don’t want to miss! In this special episode, we were joined by Apostle Andre Aris, Minister Ernestine, and a powerful audience of believers as we dove deep into the topic of spiritual grit during hard times. What is spiritual grit, and why does it matter? It’s that unshakable faith, perseverance, and strength we hold onto when life gets tough—when storms come, doors close, or we feel like giving up. In this episode, our guests shared raw, honest testimonies** of times they had to stand firm, trust God, and keep moving forward in the face of adversity. 💬 Highlights from the episode include: - Apostle Andre Aris encouraging listeners to "grit up spiritually" and hold onto their calling even when the path gets rocky. - Minister Ernestine reminding parents and community members that our trials are often the training grounds for our greatest breakthroughs. - Real talk with the audience—parents, students, and educators—about how to navigate faith, struggle, and purpose in everyday life. 🎧 Whether you're a teacher, a parent, a student, or a leader in your community, this episode is filled with wisdom, encouragement, and spiritual strength for the journey ahead. 👉 Listen to Episode 104 now on the Let’s Get Gritty Podcast (Available on all major platforms – don’t forget to subscribe!) Let’s keep pressing forward with faith, resilience, and purpose. Let’s Get Gritty—Spiritually! #LetsGetGritty #SpiritualGrit #FaithInHardTimes #TestimonyTuesday #PodcastRecap #DrIndiaWhite #PersevereWithPurpose #GritAndGrace #FaithAndGrit
Ready for the New School Year? Check Out What’s New with Dr. India White! Hey educators, leaders, and families! I’m thrilled to share my latest July newsletter, packed with exciting updates, upcoming speaking engagements, and opportunities for collaboration. As we gear up for a brand-new school year, there’s no better time to focus on what matters most—building GRIT, empowering students, and transforming education. Here’s what you’ll find inside: 🎤 Upcoming Speaking Engagements This year, I’m honored to speak at some incredible conferences and events, including: -Black Kids Love Math – 2nd Annual Math Summit -NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) Annual Conference -NCSM (National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics) Leadership Conference ...and many more across the country! Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or educational organization looking to ignite your audience, now is the time to book me for your next keynote, PD session, or summit. Let’s make this year powerful and purpose-driven. 🎓 Enroll Your Students in the GRIT Academy Looking for a way to support your students beyond the classroom? The GRIT Academy is now enrolling students nationwide! Our certified tutors specialize in STEM and help students not only master academic content, but also develop growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management—the key pillars of the GRIT framework. ✨ Let’s Work Together I’d love to partner with you to empower your students, staff, or district. Check out the newsletter, explore the opportunities, and reach out to book a session or enroll your students today. 📬 Click here to view the newsletter: Let’s get gritty and make this school year the best one yet! #LetsGetGritty #GritAcademy #EducationMatters #MathEquity #BackToSchool #KeynoteSpeaker #STEMSuccess #DrIndiaWhite
🎙️ Let’s Get Gritty: How Grit Carried Alexander Rivera Across the Graduation Stage This week’s episode of the Let’s Get Gritty podcast is one you don’t want to miss. We had the incredible honor of sitting down with Alexander Rivera, a recent high school graduate who beat the odds with one powerful trait—GRIT. Alexander’s story is more than just a celebration of academic achievement. It’s a living testament to how resilience, perseverance, and the right support system can transform a young life. In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Alexander shares how Dr. India White’s G.R.I.T. framework—which focuses on Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management—helped him push through obstacles that once seemed insurmountable. 🎓 From Setbacks to Success Alexander opens up about the challenges he faced during his educational journey, from personal struggles to academic hurdles. But instead of giving up, he pressed forward—step by gritty step. He attributes much of his transformation to learning how to: *Develop a growth mindset when failure felt final * Bounce back with resilience after every setback * Believe in his own ability even when others doubted * Manage his time intentionally to meet his goals With this mindset, and through the support of educators and mentors who believed in him, Alexander proudly walked the graduation stage this week—a moment he once thought would never come. 🍎 Nuggets of Wisdom for Educators, Families & Leaders In the episode, Alexander doesn’t just share his story—he delivers gold. He offers practical advice for: * Teachers: “Don’t give up on students. See past their struggle and speak to their potential. It’s your voice that sticks in our heads.” * Students: “You’re not alone. Keep pushing. Grit isn't about perfection—it's about consistency.” * Parents: “Your encouragement matters more than you realize. Even if your child doesn’t say it, they hear you.” * Principals & Superintendents: “Create opportunities for students to recover, grow, and prove themselves. Every student deserves a second chance—and sometimes a third.” 🙏 Gratitude and Paying It Forward Alexander shares his deep gratitude to Dr. India White for her mentorship, wisdom, and for showing him what it looks like to lead with grit. He also gives heartfelt thanks to The Honorable Susan Valdes, who stood by him and helped pave a path for his success. But Alexander isn’t stopping here. He’s committed to paying it forward—to becoming an educator who pours into the next generation, just as others did for him. His goal? To help students not just survive school, but thrive with grit. 💥 Final Thoughts Alexander Rivera reminds us that grit is not reserved for the gifted—it’s grown in the trenches of trial. His journey encourages us all to see every student as capable of greatness, if we’re willing to support, uplift, and believe in them—relentlessly. 👏 Tune in to this powerful episode of Let’s Get Gritty to hear Alexander’s full story. Then ask yourself: How can I help build grit in someone today? 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. \#LetsGetGritty #GRIT #StudentSuccess #DrIndiaWhite #AlexanderRivera #PayItForward #GritInEducation #GraduationVictory #BuildingGRIT
Join us on the grit and equity talks podcast as we talk about grit rebuttals!
Gritty Strategies for Thriving in Schools Amid Budget Cuts As school districts across the United States brace for nearly $7 billion in budget cuts for the upcoming academic year (Hersher, 2025), teachers and administrators are facing the daunting task of doing more with less. While these financial constraints can feel overwhelming, impacting everything from special education to extracurricular activities, they also present a unique opportunity: to rise with GRIT. Drawing from Dr. India White’s Grit Framework, which emphasizes growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management, this blog offers practical, research-based strategies for educators determined to not just survive, but thrive, during these challenging times. 1. Cultivate a Growth Mindset in Staff and Students During budget shortfalls, it’s easy to focus on what’s lacking. But fostering a growth mindset,t he belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed, can spark transformation across your school community. According to Dweck (2006), students and educators who embrace a growth mindset are more likely to persist through adversity and show improved academic outcomes. Celebrate small wins, reframe setbacks as learning moments, and create a culture where effort is as valued as outcome. 💡 Tip: Post quotes or examples of growth in action in classrooms and staff rooms to reinforce the mindset daily. 2. Collaborate and Maximize Collective Resources With fewer funds available, collaboration becomes essential. Teachers can form professional learning communities (PLCs) to share lesson plans, instructional strategies, and creative workarounds. Beyond the school walls, building partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, and families can bring in vital support. As noted by NPR, budget cuts often open up new grant opportunities and public-private partnerships, especially for educators who can demonstrate innovation (Hersher, 2025). 💡 Tip: Designate a team or “innovation committee” to search for and apply for grants, sponsorships, and in-kind donations. 3. Leverage Low-Cost and Free Technology Technology can help stretch limited resources , allowing teachers to enhance instruction without additional expenses. Digital platforms, educational apps, and open educational resources (OER) can supplement instruction and boost student engagement. Investing time in professional development focused on edtech ensures educators are confident in using tools that enhance—not complicate—the learning process. 💡 Tip: Use tools like Google Classroom, Khan Academy, Desmos, and Flip to support blended and flipped instruction models. 4. Prioritize Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) In times of stress and uncertainty, students' mental health and emotional well-being must remain a top priority. SEL programs help students build emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience; traits that directly influence academic achievement and school climate. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL, 2021) reports that SEL positively impacts classroom behavior, emotional regulation, and long-term life outcomes. 💡 Tip: Incorporate daily SEL check-ins, gratitude journals, or mindfulness breaks, even if just for a few minutes each day. 5. Stay Informed and Advocate Educators must remain proactive by staying up-to-date on funding policies, legislation, and opportunities to advocate for their students. Knowledge is power; staying informed helps teachers push for what’s needed at the school, district, and even state levels. 💡 Tip: Subscribe to education policy newsletters or join advocacy groups to stay in the loop and mobilize when needed. 6. Foster Grit in Students Through Real-World Challenges Now more than ever, students need to learn how to persevere in the face of difficulty. Dr. India White’s Grit Framework encourages educators to instill the values of resilience, purpose, and perseverance. Incorporate problem-based learning, goal-setting activities, and reflective journaling. When students are given ownership of their growth journey, they rise to the challenge. 💡 Tip: Celebrate grit—not just grades. Acknowledge students who push through obstacles, take initiative, or support their peers. Final Thoughts: Turn Cuts Into Catalysts While budget cuts present undeniable challenges, they also provide a powerful moment to reflect, reset, and reimagine. Educators who lean into grit, collaboration, and creative thinking can transform adversity into innovation. By focusing on what we can do—and drawing strength from one another—we ensure that every student has a fighting chance to succeed, regardless of circumstance. Quick Gritty Tips Recap 1) Foster a growth mindset in classrooms and staff meetings. 2) Build collaborative partnerships within and outside of your school. 3) Integrate cost-effective technology and OER resources. 4) Keep social-emotional learning at the forefront. 5) Stay informed and proactive about funding changes and opportunities. 6) Embed grit-based learning experiences to develop student resilience. References Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. (2021). Effective Social and Emotional Learning Programs: Middle and High School Edition. Dweck, C. S. (2006). *Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House. Hersher, R. (2025). Trump School Funding Grants.NPR. Retrieved from (https://www.npr.org/2025/07/01/nx-s1-5453457/trump-school-funding-grants) White, I. (2021). Grit Workbook for Teachers. Retrieved from https://www.india-white.com . Are you ready to implement these strategies in your school? Let’s connect! Dr. India White offers Grit Workshops, Grit Training, and Leadership Coaching to help educators overcome challenges and inspire excellence. 👉 Schedule a consultation or workshop today! Together, we can rise above budget cuts—and lead with purpose, passion, and GRIT. 💪📘✏️
"How to Find and Keep a Good Man" is a heartfelt, empowering guide for women who are ready to break free from the cycle of unhealthy relationships and finally experience the love they deserve. Drawing from real-life wisdom, practical insights, and timeless principles, this book helps you uncover what truly matters in a partner—and how to recognize, attract, and build a lasting relationship with a good man. Whether you're single and searching, healing from heartbreak, or looking to strengthen an existing relationship, this book equips you with tools to elevate your self-worth, set healthy boundaries, and communicate with clarity and confidence. More than just dating advice, it’s a journey of self-discovery that inspires you to love wisely, choose intentionally, and walk boldly in your value. If you’re ready for real love with a real man—this book is your blueprint Grab a Copy below!
Join on the Grit and Equity Talks Podcast with Dr. India White as we talk about Grit!
Hello CAMT Family, A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the session Peter and I presented on "From Productive Struggle to Perseverance." We are so grateful for your energy, your insights, and your deep commitment to growing gritty learners in the math classroom. As you return to your schools and teams, I encourage you to keep in mind the difference between state and traits . Struggle is often a state—temporary and situational—but perseverance is a trait—something we can build and nurture over time. Let’s continue to help our students shift from temporary struggle to lifelong perseverance by developing resilience, self-efficacy, and a growth mindset and time management in our schools . As a special thank you for attending, I’m offering my G.R.I.T. Workbook at a conference-exclusive price of only $15! This resource is filled with practical strategies and reflections to help students and educators build Great Resilience in Time. Grab your copy and order for your school here ! 👉 To grab your discounted workbook or to schedule a workshop, G.R.I.T. training, or educational consultation, click the link below and book your appointment today: 1) Free Consultation Appointment : 2) Book Dr. India White here : Finally, I want to take a moment to say that my thoughts and prayers are with all of Texas as you navigate the aftermath of the recent floods. We see you. We stand with you. And we are lifting you up. Let’s stay connected, keep building G.R.I.T., and continue turning moments of struggle into stepping stones for success. With gratitude and perseverance, Dr. India White Let's Stay Connected! Email: indiawhiteconsulting@gmail.com X: Indispeaknteach Blusheky: drindiagrit IG: Indi238 FB: Msindiawhite YT: Theindiawhite Tiktok: drindiawhite