Operation Excellence: Having it All! DC Metro Federally Employed Women

Greetings Friends!

Yours truly will be serving as a Coach at the Operation Excellence: Having it All! DC Metro Federally Employed Women (FEW) Regional Training Program (RTP). Join us as we network, learn and develop skills to be the WOMEN LEADERS in the Federal Government. This training is open to EVERYONE: Federal, Military and Private Sector. It’s a great way to meet others from various government agencies.

We are going all out on the programming. From out of the box workshops delivered by top Subject Matter Experts in the public and private sector to other unique touches like graphic facilitator’s onsite to visually capture the event; and coaches working throughout the session to offer career coaching services.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Crystal Francis and our very own FEW’s National President Ms. Karen Rainey to provide the closing remarks and conduct our leadership pinning ceremony. We are starting the RTP strong and plan to end strong.

**Please join us, for an awesome training event you don’t want to miss!!!!!

Early spots are going fast!!!! Grab your ticket today at https://lnkd.in/e4e-tpm

#OpEx2K18 #leadership #training #coaching #professionaldevelopment #FEW #DCMetro

My Story of Survival and Courage

#TBT @simplyebony1 @success.creators #ThursdayThoughts #SimplyEbony #MyStory

Who was this woman four years ago? This woman had just transitioned from the Air Force a world she knew all her adult life. This woman had just launched her non-profit The Next Chapter and started her new position with the government. This woman fled her apartment in the middle of the night fearful of her life. Her abusive, manipulative, and controlling ex-boyfriend threatened to kill her and he was law enforcement. The police and courts failed to protect her. She spent years in court when her abuser refused to comply with the protective order. She lived every night in fear and had to leave her job, her apartment, and the life she knew to escape her ex-boyfriend who was not only abusive but a stalker. This woman was unemployed for four months trying to figure it all out. This woman never lost faith. This woman was in transition on the path to rebuilding her life. She found strength in her Sisters of Queen Esther at @fbcglenarden First Baptist Church of Glenarden. She joined @bosseduporg Bossed Up Courage Community! This woman found a community of Sisters with @emiliearies Bossed Up! This women kept a smile. She wasn’t deterred. She fought her way through her circumstances. She wasn’t a victim nor did she ever once ask for a hand out. She picked herself up. She leaned on her support system. She entered the Next Chapter of her life like a Boss! This woman is a survivor. This woman is ME.

#WINsDay Celebrating 18 Years of Government Service

This month I celebrate over 18 years serving in the Government of the United States of America! 🇺🇸 My first 14 was Enlisted in the United States Air Force and the past 4 was serving as a government civilian. In these four years I’ve achieved tremendous goals.

My proudest moment was serving on the team that successfully implemented Project SOAR a Pilot Program that provided approximately $2 million of Grant funding to public housing authorities (PHAs) to deploy education navigators that provide individualized assistance to youth and their families in FAFSA completion, financial literacy and college readiness, postsecondary program applications and post-acceptance assistance. Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles were amongst the cities that received funding.

I received recognition for my work and was awarded the Innovator of the Year by the Next Generation (NEXTGen) of Government: NEXTGen Award Winners. I currently serve on the board that plans the NEXTGen Training Conference for future government leaders. I also serve as a senior mentor for both NEXTGen and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Cyber Professionals.

My agency paid for me to earn my certificate as an Associate Certified Coach for the International Coach Federation and my Masters Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University.

This was all in four years time. Imagine the possibilities in the next four years! I’m excited to see where this journey will lead me. I share my experience to inspire others and to show you that anything is possible. You can choose to just go to work and clock in and out or you can choose to make a difference. Your choice!!! Choose to be GREAT!!!

#SimplyEbony #SuccessCreators #WINsDay

Success Creators Visits Mad Cow Grill

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting with these beautiful ladies for the First Success Creators Monthly Meetup at the new Mad Cow Grill restaurant in Laurel. We discussed career goals, post retirement plans, and steps to progressively make a career transition. We also talked about business development, licensing for business, international trade, and resources for Small Business Owners. The conversation then turned to home ownership, counseling for new homebuyers and real estate investment.

We met one of the owners of Mad Cow Ed Reynosa. He’s of Dominican and Peruvian descent and incorporates all of those flavors in his cooking. His partner is of Jamaican descent and brings the spicy, delicious Jamaican Flavors. He was extremely nice and graciously posed for a picture with us.

The restaurant staff was very accommodating and attentive. We arrived on Saturday at 4pm for the Happy Hour. The specials for appetizers and drinks are great! We ordered Salmon, Jerk Chicken, and the Ox Tails. Overall the menu is very reasonable and the food and drinks were superb!

Everyone gets hot coco shots with the meals. Loved it!!! I highly recommend this spot for events and casual dining with friends.

The next Success Creators Meet Up will be at Swahili Village for African Cuisine in April! We are also partnering with EmpowerU Career Coaching, LLC and Microsoft to provide a hands on Linked In Training at the Microsoft Theater in Tyson’s Corner. Join us and let Success Creators help you navigate your pathway to Success! Join our Meet Up Group for more info: http://meetu.ps/c/2LrbX/2C3tp/a

The food Photo is courtesy of Nicole Charles Instagram: @BuddingFoodie to give you a clear picture of the deliciousness. ❤️

Mad Cow Grill website: https://www.madcowgrill.com/ #madcowgrill #madcow #successcreators #simplyebony #career #networking #jobs

Story of Survival and Healing from Rape and Domestic Violence

I survived a brutal rape by a serial rapist at 15-years-old. My rapist, told the bystanders that it was a ‘domestic issue.’ I pleaded with them to help me yet they all watched me get raped. The rape was a defining moment in my life.

I enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) at 18-years-old. While overseas in the USAF, I eloped and married. My husband eventually became abusive. I filed for divorce from him after a year of separation.

Later in life, I found myself in another abusive relationship. I fought through the disappointment when the courts failed to hold my abusive boyfriend accountable. He continuously violated the protective order and stalked me at my place of employment and my home.

Through all of the trials that I faced, my faith never wavered. I separated from the USAF with an Honorable Discharge. I founded The Next Chapter, Corporation, a 501c3 non-profit, dedicated to empowering victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. I launched my second business, Success Creators to provide coaching for individuals and business development. Once I opened that door to healing and wellness, the doors opened for me to follow my passion and to help others.

#BossLadyMovesContest #Ford

How to Live the Life You Love and Avoid Burnout

A year ago I was feeling “Blah.” I wasn’t happy at my job and I needed a change. At the time I was being Coached by a certified Federal Career Coach and she pushed me to take ownership over my career situation and to take action.

I spoke up! I was troubled by situations in the workplace and used my voice to suggest positive changes. Top Concerns: Communication and Professional Development.

I took action! I volunteered for a rotational assignment focused on leadership development. My temporary role was to plan the Leadership Development Conference at my agency for Senior Executives and Managers and to inform the employees about the Senior Executive Training offered by the Treasury Executive Institute. I took full advantage of the opportunity to learn and grow. I also learned that the government offers Interagency Rotational Assignments (opportunities to work at other agencies) and Senior Executive Rotational Assignments for the Senior Executive Service (SES).

I invested in my professional development! During the year I was selected to train as a Federal Career Coach. I completed the Leadership Development Cohort for the Next Generation of Government. I earned my Masters Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University. Additionally, I completed Microsoft SharePoint training to learn the skills needed to build a Policy SharePoint site and Dashboard for my Program Office.

I learned that if I’m unhappy where I am it’s up to me to take action to change the situation! I was not stuck. I had to take the necessary steps to lean forward. Ask yourself this question: What actions do you need to take today to live the life that you love?

What is Your Why?

Coaching training has taught me to stop and reflect on the “right now.” At this moment my reason “WHY” are these beautiful little girls that watch me with curious eyes when I speak, that know because of me and the Sisters that stand on this platform with me: They CAN! Once you know your reason “WHY” your life becomes far less complicated and much more purposeful. It’s a beautiful feeling. What is your WHY? #SimplyEbony #Mentor #Volunteer #Youth