EARLY BEGINNINGS

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I discovered my passion for mentorship in 1995 when I was invited to speak to inner-city youth at a high school in Atlanta. It was career day, and it was then that I quickly realized the power of encouragement and mentoring. Over the years, I opened myself up to mentoring and speaking regularly in the inner-city school system in Atlanta. I later joined the Junior Achievement Program, providing mentorship in career placement in the school systems throughout the Atlanta Public School System.

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PURPOSE & PASSION REALIZED

 

During that same time (circa 1997), I began my career as a Delta Airlines Flight Attendant. Early on, as I developed relationships with my colleagues, I noticed how often and how easy it was for people to open up to me and talk about their personal lives.  Even more astonishing was seeing how the simple act of listening, encouraging, and coaching them through tough situations impacted their lives. It was then that I realized that I was finally stepping into my purpose. When I was promoted to manager a few years later, I continued to use my passion for seeing lives transformed. I dedicated myself to fully serving others through words of encouragement, mentoring, and coaching in my role as a manager and as a general mentor for everyday living.

 

Over 22 years later, I still receive testimonies from colleagues about how they've been able to transform their lives with my help, and although I no longer serve in a management position, I learned that a title doesn't make you a leader. It is the actions you take and the lives you change beyond the title.  That's what makes you a transcendent leader. That's what makes you a servant leader.

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SERVING AT HOME

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I continue to be an active mentor and facilitator/speaker at my church. Here, I am involved in the marriage ministry and Anchor ministry, a drug and alcohol recovery-friendly ministry. I’ve been an active facilitator and mentor in both of these ministries for the past 5 years.  The group of about 25 to 30 young men at various stages in their recovery meet with us to discuss topics in the Bible as they relate to the recovery process. This particular ministry has given new meaning to my life in particular. The young men in this group have taught me more than I could ever learn on my own about recovering. Listen, we are all in recovery from something! Your first step to change is admitting your weaknesses!

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In the marriage ministry, my wife and I provide one-on-one mentoring of couples at various stages in their marriage. We enjoy the bonds that are created in having those tough, but loving, conversations with couples. We get the opportunity to share our life experiences with couples just beginning their lives together and growing a family to help them along the way.

 

I also take time to mentor young men who are either in the process of getting married, are newly married or navigating through a growing season in their relationship with a friend or family member - in other words, "growing through a hard time."