Finding the Courage to Be Me

Reflecting on identity, community and belonging during Pride Month

James shares his personal journey of finding community, embracing authenticity and feeling supported at Bronson.

James' Story

There was a time in my life when I truly believed I would always feel alone.

Growing up, I often felt like I existed on the outside looking in. School was difficult, not because of grades or academics, but because I never felt like I fit anywhere. I was the kid who sat quietly wondering why being authentic seemed to come so naturally to everyone else. The kind of loneliness that follows you home, sits with you at dinner and keeps you awake at night.

For a long time, I became very good at hiding parts of myself. I learned how to blend in. How to avoid questions. How to shrink myself into whatever version of me felt safest for the people around me. Carrying that weight for years is exhausting. You begin to wonder if people would still love you if they truly knew who you were.

Finding Community

What changed my life was finding community.

Little by little, I found people who saw me completely and stayed anyway. People who reminded me that I was worthy of friendship, belonging and love exactly as I was. That sense of community gave me something I had spent years searching for: safety. And once you finally feel safe enough to breathe, you begin to realize how much of your life has been spent surviving instead of living.

One of the greatest sources of support throughout my journey has been my mother. Her unwavering love, encouragement and belief in me helped shape the person and leader I am today. Having someone stand beside you, especially during moments of uncertainty, can make all the difference. I know not everyone has that experience, which is why I never take that support for granted.

There are moments in life you never forget, and for me, one of those moments was realizing I did not have to earn her love by pretending to be someone else. Her support became the foundation that helped me find courage in moments where fear felt bigger than hope. She reminded me that authenticity is not something to apologize for. It is something to protect.

A Journey Toward Authenticity

Coming out was not one single moment. It was a journey of slowly allowing myself to believe that I deserved joy too.

Today, I look at my life and realize how different it is from the one I once feared I would have. I have found happiness. I have found purpose. I have built meaningful relationships and a career where I have the privilege to lead others. And one of the things I am most proud of is that I no longer feel the need to separate who I am from the leader I strive to be.

For a long time, I questioned whether someone could truly be authentic and still be respected in leadership. What I have learned is that people connect most deeply with leaders who are real. Vulnerability creates connection. Authenticity creates trust. And visibility creates hope for others who may still be struggling silently.

Finding Belonging at Bronson

This is why I share my story. I share it for the person who feels alone. For the employee who may still be hiding parts of themselves. For the student who feels like an outsider the way I once did. I want people to know there is nothing weak about being yourself. In fact, there is incredible strength in it.

At Bronson, I have seen what it looks like when people are given space to belong. I have experienced support, compassion and a culture that continues to create spaces where people feel seen, valued and supported. That does not mean the journey is perfect, but it does mean there are people here working every day to create an environment where others feel safe being exactly who they are. That matters more than people realize.

My hope is that by living openly, leading authentically and continuing to show up fully as myself, I can help create that feeling for someone else.