You Are Free—But Are You Living Like It?

By CeCe President

I remember the first time I learned about Juneteenth.

It was 10th grade, Catholic school, World History class. My teacher, Ms. Roccosalva, handed out a reading, and there it was—tucked into a few paragraphs about Reconstruction: the story of how enslaved people in Texas didn’t learn they were free until two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Even as a teenager, I remember thinking: That’s more than just cruel. That’s devastating.

It struck me in a deep, uneasy place I didn’t have words for at the time. Being enslaved is one thing. But to remain in bondage because no one told you you were free? To keep working, suffering, surviving under someone else’s control—not because you had to, but because you didn’t know there was another way?

Even now, it makes my stomach turn. That feeling? It’s somewhere between heartbreak and rage.

And yet, as I sit with the story of Juneteenth this year, I find myself asking a more personal—and more uncomfortable—question:

How many of us are still living like we don’t know we’re free?

We’re not on plantations. But some of us are still working under systems, expectations, and inherited beliefs that keep us bound.

Not by force—but by fear, by habit, by silence.

And in today’s workplaces—especially in people-first professions like education, health, and human services—I see it everywhere: leaders with so much vision, compassion, and brilliance… quietly shrinking themselves to fit into boxes that don’t fit anymore.

So this June, I want to offer a gentle but clear reminder:

Freedom is not just a historical moment. Freedom is a practice.

And practicing freedom at work means making daily choices that align with your truth, your values, and your humanity.

Here are three places where many of us are still not living free—and how we might begin to shift:

1. The Freedom to Think Differently—But We Default to Fear

Let’s be real: the current political climate is tough.

Leaders are being scrutinized, dragged on social media, targeted for teaching truth or standing up for equity. For some people, the fear of speaking out—or simply being seen—isn’t imagined. It’s very real.

So if you’re nervous about thinking differently, I get it.

But here’s the truth: fear and freedom often live side by side.

What if the thing you’re afraid of—stepping out, raising your voice, challenging the status quo—actually leads to the best thing that ever happened to you?

What if that uncomfortable conversation opens a door you didn’t know was there?

What if that bold idea reshapes your organization—or your life?

You are free to think differently.

You are free to ask hard questions, offer new solutions, challenge “the way it’s always been.”

Don’t let fear make you forget that.

2. The Freedom to Say No—But We Say Yes to Everything

Overcommitment is one of the most socially acceptable forms of self-abandonment.

In helping professions, we’re praised for being “team players,” “go-getters,” “willing to pitch in.” But behind all those yeses is a deep, quiet fatigue that too many people are carrying alone.

When your calendar reflects everyone else’s urgency but none of your peace?

That’s not service. That’s sacrifice.

Freedom means remembering that your time is sacred.

That your yes has power.

That your boundaries are a gift—to you, and to your team.

Saying no isn’t selfish.

It’s one of the most powerful ways to say yes to what matters most.

To your rest. To your well-being. To the kind of leadership that leads with clarity, not exhaustion.

3. The Freedom to Be Real—But We Keep Performing

In the workplace, especially for leaders from historically excluded identities, “being professional” often means code-switching, masking stress, and polishing pain until it’s palatable.

We’re taught to smile through burnout. To soften our truth. To “read the room” before we reveal who we really are.

And in today’s culture—where politics, race, gender, and identity are constantly under fire—it can feel even riskier to just be real.

But let’s not confuse emotional suppression with strength.

Let’s not confuse silence with wisdom.

Let’s not confuse “fitting in” with being free.

You are free to feel.

You are free to take up space.

You are free to show up as someone who leads with honesty, even when it’s uncomfortable.

And if the workplace you’re in doesn’t make space for that kind of freedom?

It might be time to create that culture—or question why you’re still shrinking to survive it.

Practicing Freedom Is the Work

Practicing freedom doesn’t require a dramatic career change or a policy overhaul—though sometimes it might lead there.

Most often, it starts in the small, radical acts of presence and permission.

Like:

• Protecting your lunch break

• Telling the truth in a meeting, even if your voice shakes

• Delegating that task you’ve always done but no longer need to

• Saying “I don’t know,” and meaning it

• Choosing joy over just getting by

And yes—creating a culture of wellness is part of creating a culture of freedom.

Because workplaces that honor mental health, emotional safety, and authenticity don’t just help people survive.

They give them room to breathe, to grow, and to lead well.

The Invitation

So here’s my question to you:

You are free. But are you living like it?

What’s one small practice of freedom you could reclaim this week?

What have you been given—maybe even fought for—that you’re still not fully allowing yourself to enjoy?

Don’t wait for someone else to tell you you are free.

You are free. Practice it. Live it. Breathe it. Choose it.

Over and over again.

Because freedom isn’t just a date in history.

It’s a decision we get to make—every single day.

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Entrepreneur and international speaker CeCe President is the creator of Be BOLD Enough: A Service-Based Leadership Development System. She empowers passionate leaders with the coaching, confidence, and clarity they need to create massive impact and serve customers at the highest levels.

CeCe holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the City University of New York. With over two decades of experience leading public, private, and non-profit organizations, CeCe is a sought-after consultant, speaker, and leadership coach whose work changes lives and reshapes organizations.

CeCe is an avid volunteer, outspoken advocate, and committed donor to various causes. Among the many ways she serves her community is as a board member for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, Greater Cleveland Partnership, and COSE, Cleveland’s small business Chamber of Commerce. CeCe and her husband, company founder Anthony President, are both native Clevelanders and proud alumni of John Carroll University.