For my blog I wanted to commemorate the beginning of Black History Month. The usual suspects of Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Barack Obama filled my head but I wanted to do something different…
At our monthly Town Hall meetings at UWSEM we celebrate our employees and the work they have done . On this particular day we honored Ms. Kendrick Cora for 37 years of valued work. After what seemed to be a half-hour applause, Ms. Cora finally came to the mic. When asked what’s her advice to the staff on how she made it through countless employees, transitions and change she replied, “stay strong.”
Since joining the United Way of Southeastern Michigan as a member of Challenge Detroit I have had the pleasure of meeting and learning from some of the greatest minds in Detroit. Though many have played a significant role in my adaption into the professional world; Ms. Cora comes second to none.
Ms. Kendrick Cora is possibly the most beloved member of the UWSEM family. For 37 years ( she argues 38), Ms. Cora has seen the transition of not only the United Way of Southeastern Michigan, but also Detroit and its people. Ms. Cora was born in Tuskegee, Alabama as the youngest of 8 siblings. Ms. Cora always had a passion for her family maintaining the upkeep of her home and being an overall great person which she learned from her mom and dad. Contrary to her raising as a “little princess in her moms shoes,” Ms. Cora moved to Detroit in the 1970’s finding work at the Criminal Justice Institute in Detroit. She takes pride in being a member when women were first allowed to train to be cadets. A friend told her of a receptionist job working for the then United Foundation as a receptionist and the rest is history.
Ms. Cora is vital to the UWSEM environment due to being such a blessing and great person to everyone that crosses her path. When I asked her about how she has remained positive in a city and organization that has changed so much since the 70’s she answers, “Don’t be concerned with what negativity has to say, no matter what God has your back.” Known for hard work, omnipresent positivity and a fragrance that you wished traveled with you for the rest of your life, Ms Cora is the epitome of a great person. Though I could keep the advice Ms. Cora gave me to myself, I’d rather share it with everyone. Until next time enjoy Black History Month:
“Research yourself, look for the real people and care. If their is negativity around you sometimes you can avoid it and sometimes you will have to crush it with your positivity. always, Always, ALWAYS know you can conquer, always do your best and always give it your all.