Did you know that I deal with a learning difference?
Throughout my formative years, and well into adolescence, I struggled with my reading and comprehension skills. Given the spaces I occupy today, most people would be surprised to see my grade 9 through 12 transcripts filled with 50’s across the board. On my best day, I was an average C/D student, and to be honest, I barely graduated on time. From elementary school onward, I felt tortured by my education.
Even now, as a grown adult, I still exhibit some traces of a processing deficiency. My brain has a difficult time immediately interpreting the information gathered by my senses, which forces me to slow down and process what’s being presented. Interestingly enough, my father shares this same trait.
Studying often consisted of me reading textbook pages repeatedly, while words floated around the page. And most nights ended with me slamming the book shut in defeat, accepting that failing yet another test was imminent. In my head, I was drowning and no one could hear my screams.
It was scary to feel so unsupported, and for a long time, I dismissed traditional education for that very reason. I was frequently bullied by classmates and even had some teachers participate in making my life a living hell, at times. Instead of providing a helping hand, they’d humiliate me, or turn a blind eye to the obvious help I desperately needed and desired.
When I asked too many questions, people told me I was dumb, and when I couldn’t keep up with the curriculums, I was called slow. I was labeled and told to “play it safe,” instead of being given the space and encouragement to explore my wildest dreams.
After battling depression and attempts at self-harm in college, I finally decided to drop out. It felt like the only way to preserve my mental health and regain my self-esteem. At the time, I accepted that traditional ways of learning just weren’t for me, and so, from then on, I was committed to figuring shit out on my own. The day I walked out was the day I turned fully towards the world, and stepped into my new classroom.
Since then, I’ve taught myself quite a bit while sharing my knowledge around the world. Mentorship has become my greatest contribution as I’ve been able to mentor 200+ women, spanning 11 countries, with my program, New Girl On The Block. I’ve also been able to travel abroad to Australia and Ghana on volunteer trips, and amplify Black voices while writing for publications like Forbes and Business Insider. These experiences have also allowed me to be a regular guest lecturer at colleges and universities across the continent.
Over ten years ago I vowed to never step foot inside of another classroom, but God clearly had a different plan for my life.
This is why I am so overjoyed to let you be the first to know that I am the newest faculty member at George Brown College, where I will be teaching Professional Communications, starting this fall.
I chose to use this month’s newsletter to share my story and this announcement because if I’m going to encourage you each month to use your words in meaningful ways, who would I be to not lead by example? Clients consistently walk into my office requesting help to tell their story, and (re)shape their image. What becomes clear is that what they initially want is to create a perfectly constructed narrative, or a false/surface level depiction of who they really are.
Well at the ‘Blok, we ain’t having that.
I have this belief that sharing hard truths is how we normalize engaging in the important conversations about our humanity. One of my fundamental beliefs is that human beings are meant to grow; to stretch themselves. To get this across, I stay open. While I’ve been building my brand publicly since 2012, I’ve learned that vulnerability is the gateway to having deep, meaningful experiences and interactions with each other. This is why I continue to challenge my clients to think about the foundation they stand on. Though it’s important to know what their morals, values, and beliefs are, I also invite them to explore what they’re fighting for, and why they’re speaking up in the first place.
My peers and colleagues often question why I spend so much time mentoring young people. “Where do you even find the time?” is usually the question I’m asked, most recently by my friend Justin And they’re right, like many of you, I also adorn many hats. Most days, I have very little time to spare, but because I was the kid who was forgotten about, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than with students who need a helping hand.
This career milestone is important to me because traditional textbooks simply aren’t able to keep up with ever-changing industries. By the time young adults graduate, the curriculum is already outdated. Which is why for years, colleges and universities who value real-world lessons request my presence to share my invaluable insights. Education is a powerful tool, but starting points will always differ for each student. So, instead of complaining or dwelling on the way I often felt about a system that failed me, I decided to actually do something about it.
In my younger years, my wildest dreams didn’t make sense to anyone; I wanted to be a professional writer, but I failed English twice. The math wasn’t mathing, as the kids say today. But it didn’t matter. Even if I wasn’t good at it, writing was where I found solace, so I never backed down. I was incredibly confident in myself and, so, I allowed my success to be the result of the various formulas I explored; all of which I incorporated at my own pace.
A recent talk with my friend Tiffany Hardin prompted an exploration about why it’s important to dream up new realities at all stages of our careers. The conversation made me think of how our varying experiences can empower and inspire others to freely design their own lives, at their own pace. Now, my new mantra has been shaped by one of my biggest life lessons: Keep reinventing yourself!
Nothing fulfills me more than the work we are able to accomplish at the WritersBlok. But even while leading a fulfilling life, you can still feel moments of stagnance. While teaching, I’ll continue to fulfill my role as CEO and chief storyteller. But I understand that to continue to excel as a leader or founder of any company, it’s important to give yourself the freedom to explore and experience new creative outlets and ambitions. I encourage you – my friends, peers, colleagues and clients – to not let your titles consume you. Find moments to detach to launch the personal passion project you’ve been sitting on, write that book you’ve been nervous to share, or take the mission trip across the world you’ve dreamed of. I don’t care what it is, it all starts with that first step forward.
What would make you jump out of bed bright and early every morning to get the job done? I’m challenging you to find your internal rhythm and to keep dancing along to it. Continue dreaming, and don’t forget to take your audience along for the ride.