Graci LLC

Everyone is dealing with some kind of mud. Right now, most of us are dealing with a muddy, global pandemic, on top of political contentions, in addition to racial injustices. 

Perhaps you were born into your mud – adversities, hardships, disparity, lack.
Perhaps you fell into your mud - bias, barriers, labels, shame.
Perhaps you find yourself in mud that you've created for yourself - limiting beliefs, false narratives, self-doubt.

I know firsthand about mud.
Born amidst civil unrest, in a mud hut in the Congo, to a young mother, I have had to rise from the mud time and time again. I’m not supposed to be here, yet through divine intervention and adoption, I’ve learned to rise up, to rise above and to thrive beyond the mud. 

My prioritization for diversity, equity and inclusion stems from growing up in a homogenous area where I longed to obtain belonging and acceptance. I randomly stumbled upon the existence of my biological mother after believing she was dead throughout my entire life. I then gained the understanding of authenticity and inclusion and followed suit in my career. 

Graci Harkema, owner of Graci LLC, is an international, multi-award winning, diversity, equity & inclusion consultant, trainer and public speaker who partners with organizations through diversity trainings, speaking engagements and consulting to help organizations build more inclusive and equitable work environments. 

I’ve learned to claim and live my story, not the story circumstances and society expected me to live. After years of feeling silenced and trudging through the mud I’ve learned to live my truth as my authentic self, to have a voice and speak up for what I believe in, not just for me, but for others who have felt silenced or are trying to find their voice. I’m passionate about empowering others to rise in resilience, live and work more authentically as their true selves. 

No matter what mud we may find ourselves in, we all have the ability to rise.

What mud are you ready to rise from?