✨✨✨Black Girl Magic ✨✨✨

Today, I am full. As tears stream down my face, I am encouraged even more that I matter. I can do whatever I want to do.

At the beginning of my corporate career, I sat across my boss (he does not deserve the title of leader), anxious, excited and nervous about my first career planning conversation. We discussed how well I was performing as a front line phone agent. I blushed inside as I knew I was a top performer and enjoyed my work. He transitioned to what’s next and asked me, “Shana, where do you see your self in a year?” I have never thought this far ahead about my career. This was my first position that I could see beyond where I sat. I was frantic. I wanted to make a good impression but struggled for an answer. I looked around the call center floor and saw a few supervisors standing assisting others. I turned to him and blurted out, “I want to be a supervisor.” I was excited about that answer and surely he would be proud. The exact opposite happened he bellowed out a laugh that still makes my skin crawl when I think about this moment. After his personal laugh, he said, “Shana, that will NEVER happen and you need to think about a real goal.”

In that moment, I felt more like a school girl being bullied than a young adult ready to take the first steps in her career journey. I honestly tuned the rest of the conversation out and can’t recall how it ended. I went into the break room and called my husband and tearfully explained the conversation. A man of few words at times, he simply replied, “Prove him wrong.” My tears stopped and something inside me went into high gear. It is that exact moment I made up my mind that I would become a leader!

In a few days shy of my 1 year anniversary, I was promoted to a leader. (Note I did not say Boss. There is a difference) and the difference is me.

Nine or 10 promotions later, I am now a successful, results oriented, inspirational leader. I share this story as often as people will listen. One, I hope to encourage other brown girls that look like me that you are who God called you to be. The enemy will try to discourage, block and kill any idea or plan that will lead you into becoming YOU. Do not let him!! He has zero power.

Today, we have a front row seat to witness Democratic Vice President nominee, U.S. Senator, former District Attorney, former Attorney General, Howard University graduate, University of California, Hastings College of Law graduate, wife, mom, Kamala Harris to be our very First African American Vice President.

I am overwhelmed with joy to witness this historic moment! Thank you to Stacy Abrams for using her platform to encourage the community to submit mail in ballots. This has been proven to be a huge impact on the results. In other words Sis, you are not alone. You don’t have to fight solo. We are more powerful together. Each one, teach one. Each one, reach one! Grab your sister hand and run together.

I am putting the world on notice that my sole purpose in life is to help other women discover who they are so that they too can shatter the ceiling, run over the block, kick down the door, and sit confidently at any table they desire. We are on a journey to becoming our unapologetic self!

Stay tuned!

I am Unapologetically Me- The Experience!!

#IamUnapologeticallyMe #BlackGirlMagic #StacyAbrams #VicePresidentKamalaHarris #ShanaWilsonAnderson #BlackGirlsRun #BlackWomenLead