Insights from a Trailblazer in the Corporate Landscape for Women of Color
How do you feel being an immigrant/child of an immigrant impacted what you saw as career possibilities?
I would say that I didn’t experience any challenges, as I started college immediately after migrating to the US. The expectation from my family is that I work hard and accomplish anything I put my mind to.
Do you feel the Black American experience is different than the experience of Black Immigrants?
Yes and No. The current narrative leads us to believe that our experiences are different. Black Immigrants go through the challenge of navigating a new country, culture, and having to deal with the implicit bias inflicted on us because of our accents. However, we both face the same challenges in our communities, businesses and the workplace. In these sectors we are not viewed as different or separate but one and the same. Having this understanding has helped shaped me in many ways.
What was the goal for you? What helped to drive you to your accomplishments?
The goal for me was to always be the best “me”. That means to be respectful, always continue learning and growing, being self-aware and always striving to do the best job possible. This was instilled in me from my mother, so the goal has not changed and this has helped me achieve my accomplishments.
Were there any rules of thumb or sayings repeated to you in your childhood that you live by to this very day?
The saying I heard a lot was “learn fi dance a yaad before yuh guh abroad”. Originally, I thought that meant knowing how to dance before I could go to the United States and so I learned to dance. However, my mother was teaching me that I need to learn new things and practice proper etiquette and deportment so that when I was ready to go out into the world, I would know how to conduct myself when various situations or circumstances arise. This is still a part of me today. It also means learn how to do things at home so you can be independent.
Pick three theme songs for your life. One for childhood, one for when you just entered the working world, and what’s your current theme song?
Childhood: Not sure I had a theme song but I am going to go with Michael Jackson – We Are the World
Working World: Dolly Parton – 9 to 5
Current: There are several depending on the day and situation I will narrow it down to the following:
Andra Day – Rise Up
Ijahmar – Thousand Reasons
Did you know that by being who you are and pursuing your aspirations, you would be helping to write the following chapters of Black History? How does that make you feel?
In pursuing my aspirations and striving to be authentic at all times, it never crossed my mind that it would contribute to the chapters of Black History. I am inspired and motivated to continue on this journey, ensuring that my contributions will bring about change and help shape the future generation and the world.