Being human can be a painful experience, especially when you misjudge someone’s character and intent.

We’re a reflection of our culture and experiences that shape our moral compass.

I grew up in a humble Brooklyn neighborhood where criminal activity existed, but there were also consequences: Law enforcement and “street justice.” You did not steal from your neighbors for the reasons stated above.

And yet, despite growing up with those social mores, I became a victim of intellectual property theft from a software developer whom I met at an Ivy League institution smack in the middle of my very messy divorce. Some might say that I was “sucker-punched,” and the effects were both painful and transformative.

I learned some precious lessons from that awful experience. I now know that I have value and that my ideas and creative genius matter.

The person who stole my intellectual property (IP) was not a Black woman or a Caucasian woman, but she was a woman of color. I had to pray extremely hard not to judge her culture and race based on her disgusting betrayal.

For a decade, I shunned people who worked in IT or marketing because of my mistrust, but in doing so, I was not fulfilling my purpose.

Looking at the underutilization of EHRs, I realize that my unique perspective and skill set in AI and predictive analytics in the maternal space are needed.

I share my story as a precautionary tale. Your ideas are brilliant and valuable. Protect them.

I will never underestimate my value or doubt myself again.

Lesson learned.