Hello my Legacy Leaders!! Hey, I like that, I think that will be my pet name for you all. We must speak life into ourselves and others. So for all of you who travel along your journeys as I travel along mine, this will be my "loving you to life" name!
In building legacies for generations to come we must know where to start. If you are an entrepreneur, like myself, you are always looking for ways to strengthen your foundation and grow your brand. In doing this, you may get frustrated or overwhelmed if you don't have the right tools. As a woman in business, navigating this course is choppy at best (don't get me started on being an African American woman in business).
So where can you turn? What's the first step? Are there resources to guide you or point you in the correct direction? Glad you asked. I had the privilege to attend a networking event...wait before you turn your nose up at me. This was not your "ordinary" networking event where you walked around sipping on a flat beverage, passing out cards to people that have no intention on calling you, with a fake smile plastered on your face (yeah, you know the one). I actually walked away inspired and enlightened. To me this was just what I needed at the right time.
It was the Women Leadership Network of Atlanta. Never heard of it? I understand, it's still in it's infancy only about 2months old. The founder, Evelisse Jones, is a native of the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. She's a honorable discharge veteran of the military whom received a commendation medal for her performance and leadership services. She has a passion for leadership and want other women to develop their potential as well. After leaving Orlando Florida, where she was a bank manager for Bank of America and worked with the Women Ministry at TFCI Church, Evelisse relocated here to Atlanta to continue her passion of encouraging, empowering, and mentoring women. that are pursuing professional careers as well as serving in leadership roles. For this movement to only be 2 months, Ms. Jones have covered a substantial amount of ground and have brought to date at least 300 women together via her social media site, Women Leadership of Atlanta.
The event was a great launch. She had 3 very powerful and inspiring speakers. First there was Diana Perez, CEO of Business & Balance, Inc, another positive women in business organization that promotes success through networking, training, and business tips. She spoke on Empower touching on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's "I have a Dream" speech. Up next was, Pearl Fils-Aime, CEO and Founder of A Lady Named Pearl. She's a former model for Ebony Jet's Fashion Fair. She spoke on Evolve. One thing that resonated with me was when she asked what is needed in order to achieve our vision. You know me, I didn't hesitate to yell out action! (If you don't move your feet, you won't eat, not for long anyway). While that was good it wasn't what she was looking for. Then we said planning, still good, but not that either. There was a brief silence over the room before she said one simple word that, although I thought was automatically included in setting my vision so it went without being said, is the most powerful and MUST HAVE in order to walk out your vision, and that word was BELIEF! You have to believe in yourself! MAN!!! I had never consciously realized it. Like I stated, belief, to me goes without saying. However, there are many that have vision that don't FULLY believe in themselves and to me it's just a dream or nice idea. It's a must that we believe in ourselves because as we walk out our vision, there will be times that no one will believe in us nor our process, so we must believe all the more! Wow!!!! I better stop before I start getting my holy dance on right now... Yes God! Ok, Ok, I'm moving on...pardon me but I felt that down in my 'Sha Na Na' (you church folk know what I mean). The final speaker that covered Evolve, was this petite woman named Tracy Washington, I mentioned her stature intentionally. When they say big things come in small packages, it's an understatement when you hear Ms. Washington speak. She's the Founding Partner of Tracy Y. Washington International, LLC. She was the perfect person to cover the topic of Evolve because she's been through it and is still evolving, like all of us daily. After hearing her story (which was a direct hit to me) I was strengthen in a way. She helped renew a drive that I was afraid was dying. It took this simple yet powerful statement for me to be reawaken: 'Your Beliefs determine your thoughts. Your Thoughts determine your feelings/emotions. Your Feelings/Emotions determine your actions. Your Actions determine your results!!!!!' Again almost a praise dance moment.
So you see this was not your ordinary networking event. You actually walked away with nuggets that you could use immediately. The awesome thing was, these ladies didn't sit down and write there speeches together; however, they flowed seamlessly. Kudos, to you Evelisse, this was, in my opinion anyway, a big success.
If you are interested in joining Women Leadership Network of Atlanta, go to Ms Jones Facebook page and click like! I'm looking forward to working with this organization and excited to see what's next.
Oh, and you haven't heard the last of Mrs. Tracy Washington, we will be interviewing her for an episode of Straight, No Chaser. So stay tuned!! In the meantime, enjoy some of the pictures captured from this awesome event.
Blessings
L
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| Ms. Evelisse Jones |
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| Mrs. Tracy Washington |
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| Ms. Pearl Fils-Aime |
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| W/ Ms. Jones |
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| W/ Mrs. Washington |
