I recently had the opportunity to join YELLOW for a timely discussion on disrupting the status quo, taking risks, building community and leading well, alongside fellow panelists Dr. Elle Harris and Byron L. Edwards. Over the course of an hour, we reflected on our personal and professional journeys, explored the role bold moves play in a world in flux and commended the power of community in advancing meaningful change.

A big THANK YOU to the YELLOW team for including me and to the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art and Yorkie’s for their hospitality.

Below are excerpts of some of my responses from the thoughtful and poignant Q&A facilitated by YELLOW’s Stephanie Sutton.

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Let's reflect on your educational experiences, specifically from K-12. What do you remember about your K-12 experience that has played a role into who you are today?

I think that time period is so critical and formative for young people. I immigrated to the U.S. as a third-grader, and neither my parents nor I spoke English, so navigating elementary education was challenging, to say the least, but I was fortunate to have teachers who rallied around me and really went the extra mile to make sure I was supported during that transition. I will never forget mustering up the courage to read a short story aloud in the fourth grade. I had a heavy accent and my grammar was probably atrocious, but Ms. Sabrina Lowd smiled the entire team and when I was done, she called me a “writer,” and it’s one of those moments that I still remember today… I often wonder what would’ve become of that fledgling writer had her feedback been different or not existed. Educators have such a big responsibility.

What was one of the first bold professional decisions you made that may have affected the community you serve?

I don’t know about first, but certainly most recent, I would say, was deciding to go out on my own after several years working on the agency side and starting my own business. Working for myself has granted me the opportunity to collaborate with clients I wouldn’t have had the chance to otherwise and, on a local level, get to lend my time and insights to organizations and initiatives I’m passionate about, including the ViBe Creative District, for example. It has opened up my aperture on what’s possible when we come together in our backyard. Don’t think that would’ve been possible without my choice to be my own boss, so to speak.

With the ever-changing world right now, how do you define a bold disruption vs. a reckless gamble, and what criteria guide your decision-making?

I think that any bold disruption comes with somewhat of a gamble. Particularly as entrepreneurs and creatives, we’re always rolling the dice to see if something flourishes. That said, I would say that my criteria at the end of the day is always, without a doubt, “Is this in the best interest of…” Whether that be the clients I represent, my own personal brand, my family, etc., am I making this decision with the best interest in mind? If the answer is yes, then that’s all that matters. I may not always be right, but I always follow what I think is right.

How can leaders cultivate environments that support risk-taking in the face of fragmentation?

I don’t think anyone can lead a team these days without a mix of empathy, transparency, vision and follow-through. When your people trust and understand you, they’ll root for you. Better yet, when they see you not only inspiring the work but putting in the work, they’ll line up right beside you to make it happen. That ownership is crucial.

What’s your framework for learning, recovery, and maintaining trust with teams and stakeholders?

I would again say empathy… taking the time to see people as people. It’s so easy to go about our fast-paced lives without acknowledging one another as human – to take a moment to ask people how they’re doing, what they’re thinking, to dig in when perhaps someone is quiet or timid… to take the time to understand people’s perspectives. I think that’s more crucial than ever. Of course, as a communications person, I think communication is crucial, too. Conversations are important. Listening – not just hearing – but actively listening to people, and making sure they’re extending the same courtesy of listening to me. I think a lot of walls could come down if we were all a bit more willing to listen to people’s stories.

Beyond financials, how do you measure the impact of your decisions as it relates to community building, and how do those measures influence your strategy?

At the end of the day, my work is measured by whether or not a client’s story resonated. If it resonated drives sales, that’s, of course, fantastic, but if it inspired, educated, clarified or connected somebody with a brand, I think that’s pretty amazing too. Brands can no longer be just measured by their revenues. Consumers expect more than that.

How do we cultivate allyship in communities that are similar or that support the same demographic / purpose?

The great Kate Pittman, executive director of the ViBe Creative District, always encourages people to “Just Show Up,” and I think that says it all. Show up for each other, learn more about each other’s vision, offer to help each other… There’s so much magic to harness together.

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YELLOW is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization established by Pharrell Williams to EVEN THE ODDS through education. Learn more about their impact at teamyellow.org.

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