A little less about Detroit and a little more on growing through the Fellowship.
Two years ago I said yes to a year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC). One year ago I said yes to a year with Challenge Detroit. June-the month we transition to long summer nights-has long been a month of transitions and reflections for me. This June was no different. It was full of reflections,anchored by strong women from my time in JVC, Challenge Detroit, and the hopeful future. The month began with a heart warming visit to Caroline House, my prior place of employment and ended with executive round-table mentoring at a Challenge Detroit leaderships Friday. Two very different settings but one similar message-say yes and don’t let fear be the driver in your life.
While on my way to Bridgeport, CT and Caroline House, I finished reading Year of Yes-the second book selection of a feminist focused book club founded in part by some of the lovely ladies of Challenge Detroit. Long story short, Shonda Rhimes shares her experience on finding what the yes was to each question asked in her life and then saying yes. After finishing this book on my flight, the theme of say yes would continue to run its way through June.
The Graduates of Caroline House
At Caroline House, promotion and graduation ceremonies were taking place to celebrate the progressions the women students had made in their English language learning. A special guest speaker was brought in for graduation, Janned Serrano. She shared her story of growing from an immigrant with little English Skills to Executive Assistant to the President of Bigelow Tea. Her main takeaway – this progression never would have happened if she had let her in the moment knowledge (or lack thereof) and fear of responsibility drive her decisions. Instead, she had to be ready to say yes and then figure it out. She urged the women of Caroline House, when someone gives you the opportunity and takes a chance on you, say yes.
Pure Happiness to be back at Caroline House where Education to Empower Women and Children happens daily.
Fittingly, my June ended with an opportunity to pick the brains of some of Detroit’s most successful women and change makers. I was able to speak with Camille Walter Banks, Executive Director of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Wayne State University and Lorna Utley, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit. I’m so grateful to Challenge Detroit for putting this event together and to each of these women and the other participants who took time from there day to speak with us. And what did each of them have to say, be ready to say yes and don’t be scared. As Camille put it, when I was wondering whether or not to do something when younger, my mom would always say what’s the worst that will happen-someone says no, they aren’t going to poke your eye out. Now, she pushed us to find that little voice in our heads, listen to what it is saying, and say yes to where it is guiding us because even though it may telling us something tough to hear, it is often right.
After Executive Round-table Mentoring Breakfast at a Leadership Friday.
From Challenge Detroit leaders to those they bring to speak with us to the fine lady fellows in the program, I’ve been surrounded with women who’ve said yes to the challenge of swimming upstream, paving their way and careers wherever they want. So, here is my written yes to that continued challenge and another thank you to all the incredible women I’ve met these past two years-you inspire me daily.