Greetings! I hope this communication finds you in good health and safe. Like most of you, the pandemic has forced me to reconsider, regroup, and in some ways re-strategize when it comes to every aspect of my life. I admit I was disappointed when we could not have Power-Filled Conference and Gala in May. So,…
I was sitting in my therapy session talking about my career success. I was feeling good as I reflected over the last 12 years of my life. I had accomplished in 12 years what could take many 20 or 30. As I sat on her couch recalling the elation I felt at every victory, smiling…
This blog was written by a guest of the Power Tribe, Ericka Plater. I’ve been placed in a sparkling box with pretty pink bows and stored on a shelf with a sign that read “Do not touch. Admire only” by my ex-husband. The bland box with no note or decoration because I was too buttoned-up,…
July 1, 2020 “What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?” This is the question I seem to get most often. At first when I would hear this question, I felt it was some sort of badge of honor that I picked up, unbeknownst to me. The sound of adoration dripped from the lips of…
I was on a video call for a community committee when my world started crashing. I had just spent the past 48 hours along with the rest of black America facing the reality that another unarmed African American had been murdered. This was on the heels of the murder of a black woman killed in…
In the fall of 2015, I had used my assertiveness to land myself in a new role within the organization. I was nervously optimistic about the possibilities. I still have the text message I received from the executive vice president of Strategy for the company. “Saw the announcement. HUGE leap! Congratulations! Good luck. #Impressive” I…
Dear 25-year-old me, Your life has dramatically changed. You just had your first child. It’s a boy! His name is Akil. You probably will not find this letter because you spend most of your time getting up every two or three hours to feed your baby. Half of the time you are sleep walking. Reading…
It was 8 o’clock in the morning. We were all gathering for a one-day meeting in Bar Harbor, Maine. The conference room overlooked beautiful Frenchman’s Bay. Everyone greeting one another as the tapping sounds of food being placed on plates in the buffet line filled the room. It was my first all Director’s meeting. Although…
As a child I enjoyed reading fictional books. As I got older, my preference turned to non-fiction. If you were to look at my collection of books today you would never know that I loved books based on fictional characters, who lived in places that don’t exist in the real world. What I loved most…
It was in the middle of my second year in a new city. I found myself taking on an unexpected responsibility at work. I was also active in ministry at my church and not to mention my family obligations. My days would go something like this: Wake up at 5:00 am. Prepare the house for…
We often hear horrific stories about how difficult it can be to climb the corporate ladder. To be sure, my personal climb has not always been simple. But by leaning into the challenges and embracing them, I have experienced a journey that has also been exciting, inspiring, and ultimately, one filled with triumphs. Early in…
Every morning when I awake, the first thing I think about (after Thanking God for allowing me to see a new day) is COFFEE! I do not consider myself a coffee snob and I enjoy teas just as much. When my alarms sound at 5:30 in the morning, something comes over me. I can hear…