Trailblazer Spotlight

KT Beckman-Gotrich

KT Beckman-Gotrich

Community Engagement Associate

Interview Questions

What is a story that you’d like to share related to your experiences and/or the legacy you hope to leave?
As a non-binary mixed person, raised in an immigrant family, there is so much about being in between. I think it can be hard, when we are trying to be seen, we are trying to find resonance, connection that mirrors and affirms. I remember being little and the first time a little kid said an offensive rhyme was how I learned I was Asian. I didn’t understand why it was funny and I didn’t understand what it meant to be a heritage that I didn’t live culturally. As I’ve grown up, I realize, we write our own stories, we choose our own family, and all those facets can affirm us, but our own self-love is the most grounding element. You are enough, whatever combination of attributes you are is not all you are capable of. You are infinite. Your spark of life is incalculable!
Who or what inspires you, and why?
So many things inspire me but I’d say the common thread is authenticity. When I see my child play freely, when I see someone nail something they have been working on, when I see the art of life, it’s beautiful. It’s that agency and self actualization of doing for self-satisfaction that amazes me and inspires me to keep trying at what I care about. It also affirms for me that there is a rhythm of doing things when it feels aligned. I am not my talents, I can have excellent days and not excellent days and still love applying myself to difficult things I may have never done before.