Networking and servant leadership does not always have to look or be perfect. But it does always need to be done with sincere purpose. This was taken about 3 weeks ago. It was my first time setting up a full vendor space in nearly 18 months. I just grabbed my ‘vending gear’ and went to the event. I failed to pack the additional proper table cloths and other accessories I usually have on hand for community events. I didn’t neatly put my earbuds, the bags, or boxes out of sight for the photo or during the time that attendees stopped by the table. And you know what, none of that mattered to a single person I met.
This is an appropriate place to share this because advocacy is a major part of the ‘why’ for starting my business. And as business owners, nonprofit leaders, etc., solving the problem and fulfilling the needs of those whom you serve is far more important than how pretty or well put together the staging looks. Next time, I will make a point to have all the things I am accustomed to having, but the servant leadership, passion, and professionalism for which I do what I do will remain the same.
I had the honor of being featured in the Community Highlights section with MemphisVoyager. My journey as a business owner, speaker, and advocate actually came out of a place of need in the beginning. The interviewer did a great job of sharing my start, my ‘why’, and my life as an advocate, credentialed speaker, and life and thriving skills coach and consultant.
My 10 Year Milestone: On this day, ten years ago, I took my life back and became a DV survivor. To some, this may not mean a lot. There will be some who I KNOW will question why I’m sharing this at all. But, if you had known me the way that my children knew me 10 years ago, you’d know I was holistically broken with no real plan of how to care or love me or them the way we all deserved. Today, I can honestly say I love myself & do my best to make sure my children know they have my love & support. I am a happy, healthy wife, mom, MiMi, entrepreneur, executive director, national speaker, 2x Best selling author and committed to helping the community in the way it has been given to me to do. I’ve met the most beautiful people who’ve helped/supported me along the way (celebrities, and more importantly, ordinary people like me). I have never desired to be popular. I do, however, desire to be impactful. I want to have to heart of service like Edna with the smile & realness of John (my grandma & daddy).
If you’ve done anything (marriage, a job, a business, etc.) consistently for 10 years, you know it takes dedication, discipline, consistency, strong belief and your why (personal/professional) has to be stronger than any opposition you face (family, friends, colleagues, your own self doubt). It’s encouraging for others to see, hear and know.
Today, I listened to our local news give a report on a 35 yr old man living in Canada who tried to lure a 13 yr old girl for sex. Over the past couple of week, I’ve listened to reports of sexual assault and the number of rape kits still untested in our city. I won’t even start on the multiple murders and abuse cases reported related to domestic violence over the past month. Housing for victims of abuse is extremely limited and the criteria, in many cases, doesn’t fit the clients that need a place to stay. Lately, those serving the community in a professional capacity are the ones being arrested. By professional, I mean police officers, attorneys and public officials. I know our city isn’t alone in much of this. But, Memphis is the city I live in, and therefore, I feel I must continue to push here and work as best as I know how to spread awareness and challenge action. I’m talking tangible action. I’m talking accountable action.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. I encourage everyone reading this to please take a look at this link for additional information about sexual assault, rape, etc: https://www.rainn.org/articles/sexual-assault
I want to encourage the following:
Have a conversation with your tweens/teens about sex, good touches, bad touches and social media. If you feel you need to look through their phones and computers-DO IT! It’s not about their privacy. It’s about their safety. What they feel is harmless or meaningless is oftentimes the very things that predators are looking for. Make sure you’re spending quality time with your tweens/teens. Listen to them. What you don’t want is for them to feel they must look for love and affection from a stranger.
If you have been sexually assaulted, report it. Get counseling. Seek justice. Your voice and your feelings matter! Don’t let anyone make you believe anything different. Silence is what the perpetrator is relying on. If you’re a family member or friend, be supportive. Believe the person who’s been assaulted. Do not judge or offer your ‘what I would have done’ attitude because you really can’t say for sure what action you may have taken, and honestly, it’s not what a victim nor survivor needs to hear.
Get involved-PLEASE. See something-say something. Write letters to your local and state officials. When it’s time to vote, see where politicians stand on the issues that matter to you. Vote them in OR OUT! Volunteer your time to support groups as a peer mentor. Receive certifications from places like the local Memphis Child Advocacy Center or National Organization for Victims Assistance (NOVA).
Networking and servant leadership does not always have to look or be perfect. But it does always need to be done with sincere purpose. This was taken about 3 weeks ago. It was my first time setting up a full vendor space in nearly 18 months. I just grabbed my ‘vending gear’ and went to the event. I failed to pack the additional proper table cloths and other accessories I usually have on hand for community events. I didn’t neatly put my earbuds, the bags, or boxes out of sight for the photo or during the time that attendees stopped by the table. And you know what, none of that mattered to a single person I met.
