Karine Jean-Pierre

Here's the biggest thing people forget about their networks: Use it! Think about it this way: You've spent years cultivating relationships. You have a literal list of people who want to see you succeed and are ready to help you at the drop of a hat. Why wouldn't you reach out to them if you need help?

My mom juggled working as a home health care aide with managing her own hair salon, often working every day except Sunday, when she went to church.

My parents were critical to building up my well of strength and resolve that I turn to whenever I'm in a difficult situation. And I want to make sure my daughter has the same well - an even bigger well.

Ever since my dad found out what it was like to have your right to vote taken away from you, he'd never voluntarily give up the chance to cast his ballot. That's a lesson I'll never forget. And it's one I'll never let my daughter forget, either.

My parents grew up in Haiti, and unfortunately they watched the country they loved slide into dictatorship.

Because I've worked in politics for decades, voting has always been on the forefront of my mind.

I grew up in a family that voted together in every election.

I'm not your typical person working in politics. I didn't get an early start in politics, I didn't 'always know' I wanted to be in politics, and my family didn't instill an early fascination with politics.

While working on the Obama campaign as the southern political director, I had become used to long hours and the incredibly fast-paced environment where anything could change in a moment. In fact, I learned not only to put up with it, but to love it.

Throughout my non-linear career, I've learned to tap into my inner power - particularly when I worked in the White House under President Obama.

Treating people the way you'd want to be treated is the golden rule for a reason! It applies to life and to networking.

Everyone needs help sometimes, and the people you've worked with and kept contact with for years will more than likely be happy to help be a part of your journey.

It can be really hard to ask for help when you need it, but that's why you have a network of supporters! They're there to support you. Let them.

My father worked as a taxi driver in New York City, waking up at 4:00 A.M. most days to make it to the taxi line at John F. Kennedy International Airport to pick up passengers from the first international flights.

Donald Trump was able to make it to the White House in part because he campaigned as an outsider running on anti-establishment 'drain the swamp' rhetoric.

The candidates winning in 2018 are running races that talk about the policies young people and people of color care about - such as Medicare for All and abolishing ICE - instead of running away from them.

My parents' story is the story of many families immigrating to the United States today, and the story of so many who came before us.

My parents witnessed firsthand in Haiti that if you stop speaking up, one day you'll wake up afraid to speak. They came to America so they'd never be afraid of speaking up again.

We were wrong every time we stayed silent when the Trump administration tried to tear us apart.

What is our civic duty when our system of civics is broken? When our politics are so partisan that we put our political gains over peoples' humanity? When we put political motivation over morals? What is our duty to a system of civics that no longer serves our people, but severs them from justice?

Women everywhere do not have a choice. We are eviscerated when we speak up and disparaged when we don't. We have no options, no choices.

While the writers of the U.S. Constitution could not have predicted Trump's exact wrongdoing, they were able to imagine a scenario in which accountability was needed over the president - and that's why they created impeachment.

By defying our country's commitment to free and fair elections, Trump is defying our entire democracy. After all, what is democracy if not the ability to freely and fairly elect your leaders and hold them accountable?

We don't need to get into the geopolitical ramifications of Trump's ego-centric foreign policy to agree that American democracy should be for Americans - and that asking a foreign government to undermine our elections is wrong for anyone, including the president. Especially the president.

As more and more evidence comes to light, it's become clear that Donald Trump abused his power as president and put his own political gain over the interests of the American people.

I'll be forever grateful for everything Congresswoman Barbara Jordan did to pave the way for black women in politics.

I came out to my mom when I was 16. My parents are old school. They are immigrant parents, and when I came out, it didn't land well to say the least. And I quickly went back into the proverbial closet, if I may, and it was really hard.

Being the oldest of three siblings, I had to take care of my siblings while my parents were working six, seven days a week.

I grew up being told to keep my problems inside. And that's what I did. But so many of my problems stemmed from thinking that my family would be better off without me.

Serving and working for President Obama where you can be openly gay has been an amazing honor. It felt incredible to be a part of an administration that prioritizes LGBT issues.

President Obama didn't hire LGBT staffers, he hired experienced individuals who happen to be LGBT.

America is progressing towards a stronger, more inclusive future - and I know women of color are a driving force in that evolution.

Every person who stays silent on Donald Trump's racism, regardless of their own race or party, is betraying not just America's communities of color, but the very ideals on which this country was founded.

Donald Trump entered the business world as a racist, he entered the 2016 election as a racist, and he entered the White House as a racist.

In 2020, we need a movement to put this country back on the right track.

People across the country want to do something - anything - to make sure progress and hope and love and inclusion win in 2020.

Once you help one person register to vote or convince one friend to canvass with you, you'll never again question whether or not you can make a difference.

People often ask me how I stay hopeful - and how they can stay hopeful, too. Here's my answer: Do something. Do anything! Truly, anything. Sign up to make calls for a local candidate, or your favorite presidential candidate. Commit to canvassing one day a month.

As we've seen over the course of the Trump administration's tenure, words can prove just as destructive as laws.

Joan Trumpauer Mulholland is proof that not all heroes get the recognition they deserve.

I've had a lot of jobs and titles while working in politics. But at the end of the day, one thing has always stayed the same: I'm an activist. And as an activist, it's important to have people to look up to. Labor leader and Civil Rights activistDolores Huerta is one of those people for me.

When I think of Ida B. Wells, I think of sacrifice.

Rep. Lewis had every reason in the world to be bitter and to feel hate. But he didn't. Maybe because he had so much reason to hate is why he knew better than to waste his time in bitterness. He had other marching orders to attend to.

Rep. Lewis was never satisfied with doing enough. And that's why, on top of everything he suffered and gave to the civil rights movement, to this country, somehow he also found room in his soul to be hopeful.

I've always known I've had to work harder, be smarter and have a longer resume than the men I'm working with to be valued for what I bring to my table.

I'm proud of my accomplishments - but that's not why I've memorized them. It's because as a woman, and especially as a black woman, I've had to become comfortable with recognizing and articulating my own value just so that other people would value my knowledge and expertise, too.

One part of my routine is going on long runs as often as possible.

I ran cross country and track in high school, and I've found that getting outside and out of my head is invaluable to staying balanced.

I wanted my book to be a guide for everyone who has been told 'no' in their life.

As the chief public affairs officer at MoveOn and an MSNBC political analyst, you can often find me talking in front of a podium or in front of a camera about the day's top news stories. A lot of the time, I'll connect it back to my personal story.