There seems to always be an abundance of messages coming at us in terms of how we should show up in the world. In this context, where there are perceived rewards for adhering to social expectations and norms, it takes intentional effort to operate from our own centers.

My industry is philanthropy, and my expertise is youth development and cultural arts. I’m a program director at East Bay Community Foundation, where I lead our strategy around racial justice and equity, centering cultural arts. 

Vaneese Johnson, The Boldness Coach™, is a certified executive coach, brand strategist, and award-winning small business consultant with more than 25 years of experience.

Olivia Christian has been working as a brand strategist for more than 15 years. Her clients include global brands like Google, Visa, and Amazon as well as nonprofit organizations providing life-advancing support to women, children, and vulnerable communities throughout the US.

Psychologist, advocate, and educator, Dr.Wendi Williams, applies her work at the intersection of education and psychology to her scholarship and leadership praxis.

C-suite advisor, keynote speaker, executive coach, and executive presence authority who helps leaders have their best year ever. She has worked with leaders in 27 industries across five continents.

I had plenty of obstacles to work with and against to overcome. But they were different. They were obstacles, I think, of my own choosing and that makes all the difference in the world.

I had plenty of obstacles to work with and against to overcome. But they were different. They were obstacles, I think, of my own choosing and that makes all the difference in the world.

“You will have opportunities for your ideals to be realized, so stay the course and stick with it, even though it’s really challenging sometimes.”

Life has had a way of recalibrating itself for me every ten years or so. Late in 2012, I began to contemplate my career…

1….2…3………....1……………….None… Over the years I’ve become aware of a subconscious activity I perform just about everywhere and in most situations.

BlackFemaleProject founder, Precious J. Stroud, interviewed Regina Jackson at the Impact Hub in Oakland, CA.

In our hemisphere of the globe, summer is a warm and vibrant time. The cold of winter fades into the background and it becomes easier to connect to a sense of brightness and boldness.

My areas of expertise are tech, Black folks, and community. We do a lot of community building, get BlackFemaleProject into spaces, and provide a platform both online and at community-based events like Black Vines, Black Joy Parade, and Pride. 

My area of expertise is educational leadership. Under that lives this range of assets, talents, attributes, and experiences that are not one-dimensional.

I own a communications and branding agency. My business partner, my team, and I mostly do public relations and media relations for social impacters and disruptors. 

At present my industry is philanthropy, but I would say my expertise is evolving. There was a time when I would have said my expertise is in education, but in the last two years, I’ve combined the root of my vocation, which is learning, and used that in a different context in a way that is helping philanthropy change.

What lessons can we gain from a flower fully in bloom? What can we learn from its brightness, boldness, and openness? How can we reflect the way its presence can elevate the spirits of all who witness it?

Just as our houseplants require certain conditions in order to grow and thrive, so do we! Have you given thought lately to the elements of your environment that are within your control? Allow the beautifully blooming reminders all around at this time of year to help you stay grounded in self-care so that you, too, can flourish as your most authentic self.