One of my biggest honors this year was to serve as the Keynote Speaker the FBI’s Annual Domestic Violence Awareness program at their national headquarters in Washington, DC. The event was hosted dually in person as well as virtually so that their international employees would have the opportunity to participate. I also had the pleasure of conducting a special workshop with their EAP employees on a separate day.
To know me is to know that law enforcement and criminal justice are extremely important to me. As I shared during both opportunities, my initial plan was to become an attorney. I also had aspirations of pursuing a career in the military-the Air Force specifically. As life would have it, I would not do either in the ways I had originally planned. However, I continue to share my time and talents in both spaces, and for that, I consider myself fortunate and blessed.
I cannot begin to tell you what a personal and professional honor it was to be the Keynote speaker for the NHBW, Inc. Dallas Chapter’s Women of Excellence Awards. To be in the company of so many prominent, professional and inspiring women of color from all walks of life is an opportunity I will always cherish. The food and entertainment was wonderful and everything was well planned.
I do not believe in coincidences. So, when I arrived and looked at the bios of each of the recipients, it made my address that much more personal. Each woman, in their own area of service, represented a woman who had supported me during my transition from victim to survivor to thriver of abuse and self sufficiency. I felt as though I started my journey alone. But, along the way, I met other women who would stand in the gap for me. It was extremely inspiring to see and know these women went above and beyond to do the same for others while maintaining some of the most high profile positions at their places of responsibility.
The National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc. is a nationally recognized organization founded by Dr. Arnita Young Boswell and 13 other spirited women in 1974. Fannie Lou Hamer is connected to and recognized as an NHBW, Inc. Shero. If you do not know about this amazing organization, I strongly urge you to please visit their website and learn how you can get involved at http://www.nhbwinc.com/history.html
It was my honor to serve as the keynote speaker for Fresh Touch Publicity’s Annual HERoine Awards. The theme was Walking the Paved Road. Seven women were honored who have successfully overcome obstacles from all walks of life. For some, it was abuse. For others, it was health and wellness issues. For all, it was an opportunity for them to be honored for not only overcoming, but serving in the community and paying it forward to help others to do the same.
The program also served as a way to pay homage to women who’ve paved the way before us. Without their sacrifices, we would not be able to enjoy many of the rights and freedoms that we now experience. There was a magazine reveal, delicious brunch and tons of celebration and reflection.
TeeJay Jefferson, owner of Fresh Touch Publicity is a wonderful young woman whose vision, spirit and desire to uplift women goes far beyond her years. I am happy to have served in this capacity and given the chance to share my insights in such an honorable way.
One of my biggest honors this year was to serve as the Keynote Speaker the FBI’s Annual Domestic Violence Awareness program at their national headquarters in Washington, DC. The event was hosted dually in person as well as virtually so that their international employees would have the opportunity to participate. I also had the pleasure of conducting a special workshop with their EAP employees on a separate day.
