Mrs. Southern States United World 2023

Advocating for diversity & inclusion within education, workplaces, and business is my platform. I am passionate about transforming the workplace and classroom, helping to create space for others to bring their best, most authentic selves to the table.Having a professional DEI background for both the private and public sectors, I have journeyed with numerous organizations toward positive change. I understand the challenges, and have experience with designing and implementing the solutions.

INCLUSION ADVOCACY

From mentorship and workshops to donation drives and fundraising, I am committed to investing in diverse communities and businesses, and supporting organizations that intentionally reach out to include and advance under-served communities.

Key Contributions and Initiatives:

  • Launched a transformative 6-week internship and job shadowing program, Pathways to Esquire.

  • Personally sponsored 100 care packages for HBCU students and organized enlightening HBCU virtual information sessions for high school students.

  • Raising over $5,000 to introduce diverse books into public schools.

  • Creation of a leadership workshop tailored for Title 1 schools.

  • Development of a series of "career advice videos" for the Girl Empowerment Network.

  • Collecting more than 3,000 personal hygiene products for Houston women and students.

  • Gathering 198 pairs of shoes to support students during back-to-school preparations.

  • Donating over 150 prom dresses to make cherished memories possible.

  • Providing weekend and holiday meals to alleviate food insecurity in Houston's underserved areas.

Inclusive education
Every child has the right to quality education and learning.

Like all children, children within historically underrepresented communities have ambitions and dreams for their futures. Like all children, they need quality education to develop their skills and realize their full potential.In addition, bullying prevention is intricately connected to and predicated upon the promotion of equity and inclusion. Within our schools, our communities and society at large, bullying and harassment are linked to and fed by many forms of social inequity, including racism, sexism and many others. To effect change and reduce bullying every day, the development of an inclusive environment both at school and at home can help children understand and accept differences.

  • Creating opportunities

  • Providing resources and tools

  • Preventing Bullying

Bias, Awareness, & Belonging - Improve Workplace Culture

Diversity is a fact of life in today’s workplace. In response to my own personal challenges in the workplace where I found myself undervalued, unappreciated, bullied, overlooked and unseen, my passion for workplace DEI grew.It is my mission to work with leadership development organizations that focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) and support leaders in creating a culture where people feel valued, respected, supported, heard and seen.

  • Advocating for Gender Equality in the Workplace

  • Promoting Leadership training for women in the workplace

  • Programs that provide opportunities for individuals who face impediments to unleash their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing employment market.

Supporting BIPOC-owned Businesses Creates Greater Opportunity for All

Entrepreneurship is an important tool for helping disadvantaged workers build financial security and wealth. It supports workers who may be excluded from the traditional labor market, and fuel job creation in their communities. In addition it can even help narrow the racial wealth gap, as BIPOC business owners are wealthier compared to workers who are not self-employed, which can help reduce the disparity between wealth levels.I support several entrepreneurship-related programs with a focus on increasing access to capital and technical assistance for low-income and BIPOC entrepreneurs. To achieve this, I advocate for organizations who support the growth and competitiveness of minority business enterprises.

  • Mentoring, training and advisory programs designed to help Black and Latinx businesses and nonprofits succeed.

  • Encouraging Congress to provide BIPOC-led and BIPOC-serving community development financial institutions (CDFIs) with additional resources.

  • Ensure the Small Business Administration’s 7(a) and Microloan programs, are equitably designed and delivered.

Let’s Connect and Collaborate to Create Change

Together, let’s create a world filled with passionate, empowered people creating a sense of belonging in education, workplaces, and business.