🎙️- "Now This is a Story All About How..."
What One Flight Taught Me About Power, Strategy, and the Systems that Try to Quiet Us. | I Am What an Intellectual Property Attorney Looks Like.
Hey Fam,
Now This Is a Story All About How My Life Got Flipped Turned Upside Down…
Let’s start over.
Let me take you back.
Not to Bel-Air—but to a flight I’ll never forget.
I had a window seat. I was minding my business, drinking my overpriced bottle of water, headphones in, and ready for a moment of peace.
But the woman next to me?
She was on a mission.
Not to travel, but to control, of all things, our shared armrest.
I’d rest my arm. She’d shove it off.
Then she looked me dead in the face and said:
“You’re too close to me.”
Sis, this was economy seating, not even comfort plus.
Where exactly was I supposed to go?
What happened next felt like a deleted scene from a Jordan Peele movie.
The stewardess came over and told me I had to move.
I refused. I hadn’t done anything wrong.
Thirteen minutes later, I was being escorted off the plane as “noncompliant.”
And then came the fallout.
This was at or around 2019, so racial tensions in our country at the time were quite high (not unlike this moment we find ourselves in today…).
And after being on hold with the airline for over 3 hours, I took to the airline’s social media page to share my disdain.
From my personal account.
On my personal time.
The “personal” part is important here….
Because when this huge multi billion dollar airline realized who I was and where I worked, the game changed.
When they saw my video, they replied, but not in the way you think.
You see, they didn’t reply to me or my message directly.
Instead, they decided to reach out to my employer.
And not just any employer.
The top dog of the legal industry.
You see, I was working at one of the top litigation firms in the country—with an office in Silicon Valley.
The same firm that just so happened to be representing this airline on other matters.
Not me personally—I wasn’t their attorney.
But instead of contacting me as a person, they contacted my employer in their capacity as a client.
It was wild.
It was calculated.
It was confusing.
But what was clear was this message: Be quiet, or we’ll use your employer as leverage.
In the end, justice prevailed…in the sweetest way possible.
But it was creatively in a non-legal way, even though I had my full lawyer hat on.
So let’s talk about gems that came from this experience.
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How do you think I responded?
(Go ahead, take your best guess—and drop your vote in the poll!)
Spoiler: I didn’t shrink.
I got on the phone with their General Counsel and made it crystal clear how offensive and manipulative their behavior was.
I didn’t threaten a lawsuit. Not because they didn’t deserve one—but because I was already pulling 60-hour weeks, and let’s be honest—I wasn’t about to spend more time in court.
But I reminded them of something far more intimidating than litigation:
The court of public opinion.
Because while companies might have legal departments, what they fear more is exposure.
Especially when the person speaking out has a platform, credibility, and a story that resonates.
It reminded me of a video I saw recently by Luvvie Ajayi Jones.
And how companies like that will go out of their way to protect their image instead of making things right.
That’s what this was.
A calculated effort to silence, shame, and control.
But they didn’t count on me having options.
They didn’t count on me having strategy.
So here are 3 things I want you to walk away with:
Just because you’re justified doesn’t mean court is the smartest move, and I say that as a full attorney who loves litigation.
Court. . . costs a lot of money.
And we’re not just talking about filing fees. We’re talking about evidence gathering. Paying lawyers to physically show up in court—especially when some judges still refuse to hold hearings over Zoom. Discovery. Witness interviews. Document production. It can all add up quickly.
Like multi-six figures quickly.
And that’s money you could be investing back into your business—not burning it in a legal battle that could last years.
Sometimes the next step is litigation. But more often than not, it’s strategic.
Here are some of the questions we ask our clients to help clarify the path forward:
What’s the best outcome?
What resources will this require?
Can we get there faster, cheaper, and with less stress?
Because sometimes a cease-and-desist letter, a demand for renegotiation, or even a quiet but direct conversation can be more powerful than a court case.
Not every fight requires scorched earth. But every fight—every single one—deserves intention, integrity, and a plan.
Legal tools aren’t the only leverage you have. Visibility is power—especially when it’s clear, consistent, and true to your story.
In an age where social media often feels noisy and oversaturated, don’t underestimate the ripple effect of one honest post. The truth—when told with clarity—can’t be unseen. And companies know that.
We’ve seen founders with small platforms and big truths hold brands accountable. We’ve watched consultants share screenshots and timelines that made institutions rethink their entire approach. We've seen a single voice—strategically raised—galvanize a whole community.
Why? Because exposure is expensive.
The threat of a lawsuit might raise eyebrows. But the threat of a public narrative—that gets screenshotted, shared, and reshared—is often what gets results.
Here’s what that means for you:
Your story is leverage.
Your clarity is leverage.
Your voice is leverage.
So whether you post a quiet boundary or go fully public, never forget: your platform isn’t just for promotion. It’s a tool of protection. Use it with care—and courage
Legal tools aren’t the only leverage you have. Visibility is power.
You’d be surprised how many companies, brands, and institutions backtrack not because a lawyer sent a memo—but because you told the truth on your platform.
We’ve seen founders with 500 followers and a clear story shift entire decisions. We've seen creatives and consultants reclaim what’s theirs just by naming what happened out loud. Why? Because public accountability still matters—even in this messy algorithmic age.
Here’s the secret: your story has weight.
Your platform is part of your protection.
So use it wisely. And when the moment calls for it—use it boldly.
This isn’t just a story about a plane ride gone wrong.
It’s a story about the systems that try to silence us—and what happens when we push back.
You don’t have to shout to be heard.
You just need to move with intention
And when you’re ready to do that,
Let’s strategize..
Drop it in the comments. I’d love to hear your story.
Need Help Protecting Your Creativity?
If you are unsure—or if you know you need to take action—reach out to us.
We have helped countless founders and creatives safeguard their intellectual property, and we would love to do the same for you.
If you need further guidance, reach out to me and my team at Firm for the Culture.
We’re here to help you navigate the copyright, trademark, and thought leadership journey.
Can’t wait to help you protect your dynamic impact.
And #ThatsAWrap
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Thanks for reading
See you next time.
This was the gentle reminder I needed today. Speaking up is a needed, defiant rebellion. 🧡
This was thought provoking!
Always come back and share your work with me! I’ll be the first to read, enjoy, feel & share my thoughts!