Empowering Lives Through Speaking, Advocacy and Coaching
My Story
Years ago, I unexpectedly plummeted from a comfortable middle-class lifestyle into one of deep poverty. For the sake of my and my children’s safety, I fled a relationship tainted by domestic violence as a result of my kids’ dad having served in Vietnam. Having no clear plan, we briefly faced homelessness, encountering one survival challenge after another. I was shocked to discover the only place to live that I could afford was a worn-out apartment in a drug-ridden, crime infested ghetto. Determined that such destitution would not become our norm, I began my journey fueled by resilience.
Personal Growth: Lessons Learned
Resilience and Adaptability. Our new housing situation was just slightly better than being on the streets. I eventually accepted the grungy place, though, because I couldn’t begin reshaping our futures if I didn’t first adapt to the present. The unit’s paltry conditions became a powerful motivator, driving me to make a way out as soon as I possibly could.
Self-Belief and Empowerment. Spending moments in silence for self-reflection, meditation, and prayer led to an epiphany. Despite the loss of a love relationship, financial security, and material comforts, the essence of who and what I was remained. I was still a person of potential and personal power. With clarity, I realized that I was my own best resource. Courage and belief in myself would be crucial to getting through our tough times.
Educational Pursuits. To move beyond my past experience as a radio announcer, where music formats were in constant flux, I decided to pursue higher education. Even with the daily struggles of providing for our basic needs, I enrolled in a community college’s associate degree program. Juggling the responsibilities of two children, homework, and household duties was no easy feat. However, after the first semester, my momentum picked up and academic success emerged.
Following my associate degree in Broadcast Journalism/Television Production, I went on to earned a bachelors degree in Communications/Graphic Design. Years later, I completed two masters programs: in Human Resources Management and Management.
Resourcefulness: Making the Most of a Bad Situation
Meeting Basic Needs. While in poverty confronted with the need to do much with very little, resourcefulness became my ally. A borrowed kerosene heater did double duty, warming the boys’ bedroom at night and serving as a cooking stove and heat source in the living room by day. Frequent visits to the corner store were intentional for collecting change from food stamp purchases. The money enabled me to buy kerosene, do laundry, and buy essentials like soap and toilet tissue.
Additionally, I sought assistance from social service organizations, getting help with paying utilities, groceries from a food pantry, and transacting child support payments. Applying for welfare was a last, and intended temporary, resort.
Realization of Potential: A Breakthrough Solution
Communication Skills. Studying television production and broadcast journalism from 1984 to 1986, I heeded the guidance of my mentoring instructor. By doing so, I discovered a talent that otherwise, I might never have recognized—my ability to effectively communicate.
A series of firsthand learning opportunities occurred as a result of my dedicated studies. Internships at a television station tested my skills in writing news scripts, while another stint at a city lifestyle magazine stirred my interest in crafting and editing articles for print.
The turning point, however, was an astonishing chance to contribute to a brand-new national newspaper. Apprehensive at the thought of it, I convinced myself to accept the assignment. That first published piece, in USA Today, not only marked my entry into the field of journalism, but also my soon-to-follow exit from poverty.
Speaking, Advocating and Coaching: Experience Remains the Best Teacher
Speaking. Each facet of my work is based on personal experience. My venture into public speaking emerged from my previous role as a training instructor. Initially, I was a jittery “podium hugger” in the classroom, but encouragement from my supervisor led me to enroll in a presentation conference and join a speakers’ club. A few years later, I began publicly speaking as a way of empowering lives.
Advocating. In 2016, amidst working on my first book, RESULTS, a non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of poverty, invited me to join. I became a member of its cohort, Experts on Poverty, among others with lived experience. There I learned how to advocate by sharing my story during meetings with Congressional members, writing impactful Letters to the Editor, and sharing relevant data in support of policy changes.
To learn to more proficiently share our stories, Experts on Poverty members took part in a storytelling workshop conducted by The Moth. At the 2017 RESULTS International Conference in DC, adapting material from my book, I performed a 45-minute session incorporating four presentation formats. I was rewarded with a standing ovation. In 2019, I was selected by The Moth to perform in its Community Showcase in Brooklyn, New York.
Coaching. In 2023, I began a new chapter, applying my life experiences, knowledge, and communication skills as a women’s transition coach. I guide women through the emotional turmoil of unplanned major life changes, empowering them to move forward and lead happier, more fulfilling lives.
What Readers of This Website Can Expect
As you explore my website, you can look forward to regular blog posts that reflect the intersection of my personal experiences, advocacy work, and coaching practices.
As an advocate delving into the complexities of poverty and social policy, my posts aim to shed light on critical issues. I stress the need to preserve and improve our country’s anti-poverty programs, the link between illiteracy and poverty, and the challenges faced by women, including issues of equal pay.
In parallel, my coaching-focused posts offer valuable insights and practical tips to navigate life’s transitions. From sustaining motivation in the face of challenges to cultivating inner peace and self-worth, each article is crafted to empower women dealing with major life changes. These topics resonate with the core of my advocacy work, as 21 percent of U. S. children live primarily with a single mother, according to Census data. (Dec. 6, 2023).
Through my blog, I aspire to create a space where advocacy and coaching converge to inspire resilience and positive change. Your journey, like mine, is multifaceted, and I invite you to explore the diverse content of my website. Each page and post is a reflection of the transformative power of personal experiences and the strength to be found within.
I invite you to…
Connect with me on social media or through the contact form on this site. Your stories, questions, and insights are not only valuable—I cherish them. And as another way of empowering lives, I’m looking forward to building a supportive community where we can learn and grow together.
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