Politician & impact entrepreneur: Bloom interviews Jana Degrott

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Welcome friends 🌱
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Our interview feature this month is an absolute POWERHOUSE bloomer. Jana is the Co-Founder of We Belong Europe, an initiative to inspire next-generation leadership for young European women of color to create a future pool of role models. She's also one of the youngest elected politicians of Luxembourg, fashion icon, Obama Foundation leader, and host of the “Wat Leeft?” podcast. We can't wait for you to learn from her wisdom on everything from leadership to mindfulness practices.

with light,
​Jasmine​
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You were recently named global top 100 influential people of African descent under 40 in Politics, congratulations! What advice would you give to other young people who hope to do the same and become influential in their communities?

Be yourself, show up when your people in your community need it and give them the feeling you really care about them. I came to realize with time that there are so many on the quest for better representation in halls of power - so be that person and represent.

What were some of the most influential milestones in your journey so far, and why?

The fact that I got elected into the council of my hometown Steinsel when I was 21 was a huge milestone. I didn’t really have representation when growing up, it was so hard to see myself as a politician. Here I am : today I count as one of the elected officials in my country.

Are there lessons you learned later in the journey that you wish someone had shared with you before?

That’s it’s okay to not have it all figured out. It’s okay to fail. And you don’t need to seek validation from family or friends in order for you to believe in what you do.

It’s also to fine to admit that you are not doing well. And is okay to reach out for help when you need it.

Other important thing I learned in that journey is to have a mentor. I got one just recently and this too has changed my life. My mentor is a person I have admired already for super long and is someone that has seen me grow. A person that believes in me and is there to encourage me in challenging times.

You’ve held so many phenomenal leadership positions, and held them with so much grace and confidence: could you share some of your favorite strategies and tips on how you channel your confidence and inner strength?

Growing up I usually didn’t like the person I would see in the mirror. I have trained to unlearn that by practicing being kind to myself.

When I wake up every morning I look in the mirror and tell myself:

• I am confident
• I am smart
• I am open to learn new things today.

I also started practicing mindfulness and I love dancing. It really helps fuel that inner energy.

Most importantly I do feel like it’s always important to never forget why we started to do what we do. I started becoming politically active not only because i didn’t feel represented in halls of power but also because I wanted to leave this world better and fairer for people like my little brother that is neurodiverse.

And what do you personally look for in the impact leaders you love to work with? What really stands out to you when working with someone?
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​I'm always inspired by leaders that are trying to open doors to others.
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​Let’s shift gears, talking about mental health because I know this is a topic close to your heart. How has your relationship to mental health changed since you first began your career?

I always knew about mental health issues but I was never aware that they could reach me. I learned the hard way. Having had panic attacks in office already I really felt like something had to change and that’s why I reached out for help and support.

Are there any other social impact topics aside from mental health that you hope more changemakers discuss?

Inclusion. While this topic has been on every global agenda, there are still so many in our societies that are being excluded from job opportunities and politics. What can we do as changemakers to change that?

Impact resource rapid fire questions!

Read these books:

• ​Becoming
• ​How Civil Wars Start

Follow on social media:

• ​We Belong Europe​

Listen to these podcasts:

• ​On the Balcony

Dance to this music:

• ​Surrender
• ​Osama
• ​It's Not Right ​
• ​Midnight Affair​

💚Click on the flower to share this newsletter🧡 Hiring? post jobs💜Gratitude to our bloomer Jana for sharing her light.