It Takes a Village
Sylvia’s Master’s Degree Party: Sister Gail Palms, Mother Goldie Royal, Sister Elnora Cunningham, Uncle Lloyd, Grandmother Elnora Royal, Niece Ashley Palms
It takes a village to raise a child is an African proverb that means that an entire community of people must interact with children for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment [Wikipedia]. Similarly, you need a village to develop yourself professionally as well.
“She has no fear, she’s a tomboy”, my mother would say. She loved to share the story of watching me speeding down 12th Street hill on my bike with no fear. Consequently, on more than one occasion, I crashed resulting in many teeth being chipped or broken. One could say my professional grit started young. In fact, my first job was selling seeds and picking berries, so hard work was instilled in me as a child.
Needless to say, completing school and getting degrees was just understood growing up. In hindsight, everything my mother did was to make certain I understood how to work hard and use my brain.
Understandably, because of my mother, today I hold several degrees. A Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Evergreen State College; a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences from City University-Leadership Institute of Seattle; with a focus on organizational therapy and psychotherapy. Following, in 2000 I had the honor of being selected as an International Women’s Fellow (IWF). Because of the IWF, I attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Business in DC. Best of all, the program is for female senior executives on their path to the C-Suite.
2007 Graduation, Seattle, Washington – Dr. Goldie Royal
Professional Grit
Most importantly, my mother provided the best early examples of determination and resilience in my life (a village unto herself). She modeled the value of spirituality, and education, by finishing her master’s degrees while working to support our family. Later, at age 61, mom retired from teaching. Thereafter, she was accepted into the Berkeley School of Divinity.
At the age of 74, mom raised the bar by completing her Ph.D. in ministerial. She has been the best example of what it means to have true grit.
In addition, my grandparents James and Elnora Royal represented another strong force in my family. What they talked, they walked. They impressed that it is imperative to believe in yourself. Having a strong mother and grandparents was foundational for me and my three sisters.
As a result, to keep in the same academic spirit as my mother, I applied and was accepted into the Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law program, allowing me to study and do homework with my children to show them that learning is forever.
Career Mentors
Part of professional growth is being able to receive feedback. I received professional feedback that I was intelligent, impatient, and macho. In order to better understand, I asked one of my mentors, Solomon Trujillo, U S WEST President, and CEO, for his opinion. Sharing a different view, he cited those characteristics as possible formulas for success.
Especially fortunate for me, I have had several people in my career that have been consistently supportive and encouraging. Because my managers at the time provided the canvas for me to excel with the only limitation being my ability or inability to attain my professional dreams. Above all, it is important to find mentors that motivate and inspire you to spread your wings. Once you get wings, simply soar.
Denver Promotion
I stand on the shoulders of many mentors and coaches like my sixth-grade teacher Mr. Roy Hagerman, to U S WEST mentors CEO George Walker, and Joseph Mayo, vice president of business and government services. The encouragement and guidance of these mentors, combined with my determination, created a winning formula for a successful career. I have much gratitude to U S WEST for helping me see that I had unlimited possibilities.
My professional journey with U. S. West began in Seattle as a Strategic Account Manager. Within a few years, I transferred to Washington DC as a lobbyist for the federal division of the company. My next move was my best move. I moved to Denver, after receiving a promotion as the Procurement Director of Supplier Diversity. I could not believe I was managing an $8B budget. Such responsibility meant I had to be the best and I expected the best. This paid off. After six months I was promoted to Vice President.
Seattle Inspiration
Dr. Maxine Mimms, 2018
Since the age of 14, Dr. Maxine Mimms, founder of Evergreen State College in Tacoma, Washington, has been my god-mother, mentor, and friend. Maxine challenged me to ‘stop picking cotton,’ and develop critical thinking skills. Drop the mic, mind blown! This way of thinking is what drove Dr. Mims to bring Evergreen State college into existence. I took her advice and ran with it. Her words motivated me to not conform to what society expects of minorities and women. Every person must find their spark to move forward through adversity. Always inspiring, Dr. Mimms gave me another pearl of wisdom in a recent speech. Mimms said, “Have joy in the design to make people have hope,” and with that, I opened my two businesses Royal Exchange and Sooo U.
Meeting Dr. Maya Angelou
I inherited another relationship with a person Dr. Mimms refers to as “mother,” Dr. Maya Angelou, a world-famous author and poet.
Son’s Carty and Joseph with Dr. Mimms
My daughter and I shared this private moment while visiting backstage following Maya’s 1999 performance at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Maya’s response as she held my daughter and me in her arms was “simply phenomenal?” Those two words lit a flame of determining in me to continue my work and pass it on to my daughter.
It takes a village to fully develop yourself and if you don’t have one, it’s up to you to create your own. Know that it’s never too late to reshape yourself or your career. Seek out those you know are successful and reach out for a zoom call or a cup of coffee. You will be shocked at how many people want to help you become your best self.
My hope is you find something in this post that inspires you to never give up, break through that glass ceiling, and be a life-learner.
Cheers!