Celebrating Women's History Month
What is your job title? How long have you worked at Black Onyx Management?
Assistant Vice President of Research and Evaluations. Since December 15, 2023.
Hometown?
Indianapolis
What’s a fun fact or two about you?
1. I've been a certified Zumba and Zumba Sentao instructor for 13 years.
2. I have a natural beauty and hygiene product business called Deo's Garden LLC and a custom fine and demi-fine jewlery business called #GetStoned by Demetrees Lee.
3. I love the outdoors and nature.
4. I am a HUGE hip-hop head...I don't just have love for the music....I live and breathe the culture.
What three words describe you?
1. Empathic
2. Tenacious
3. Adventageous
What do you like to do outside of work?
Travel...absolutely enjoy traveling. It is a bonus if there is greenspace or a way to connect with nature in my travels; particularly I am drawn to the forest but also love the ocean.
Live music enthusiast. I am forever searching for live music no matter where I am; I am a band geek, so love ALL genres of music...especially when played live.
Who is the most influential woman you know? How does she inspire you?
The most influential woman I know is my best friend Danita Guyse. She is a respiratory therapist at St. Francis Hospital. She inspires me by her kind nature, yet she is too is tenacious. I've watched her go for her goals and accomplish every single one of them no matter what obstacles are in her way. The way she loves on her people (family and friends) is something I hope to be able to do as fully as she does. She gives so selflessly. She is the type of mother and wife I dream to be one day. I tell her everyday how much she inspires me but I don't think she believes me. I think she looks at all of my accomplishments and the work I do and probably thinks the same about me. To me, those things are just what we do...who she is as a person is AMAZING. I only hope to be that AMAZING in all aspects of my life...not just the stuff people see on the surface.
What are some of the biggest challenges that women face today? How will these change in the next 20 years?
Fighting to have a voice and some autonomy in society. This includes control over our bodies and equity in pay among other things. It seems like we are moving backwards at warp speed. People see to get we only got the right to have our own bank accounts in 1974!! Proponents of the Civil Rights Act are systematically walking back all the gains such laws have created. If we don't change our trajectory right now, in 20 years women will have no rights at all. I am genuinely scared for our future.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Never diminish your light to make others feel comfortable, let it fully shine because there are so many people who need it as bright as possible to find their way.
What advice would you give to the next generation of women?
I would give them the save advice I was given: Never diminish your light to make others feel comfortable, let it fully shine because there are so many people who need it as bright as possible to find their way.
Too many times we as women shrink ourselves, stay silent when we shouldn't, and generally dim ourselves to make other feel comfortable or to be accepted. This is a travesity to who we are. We are powerful, we birth nations, we raise the future, we lead with compassion and empathy...naturally. All amazing gifts and talents we possess naturally. Be bold, be outspoken, be who you are....unapologetically!! It will make the world a much better place!!
What does Women’s History Month mean to you and how do you plan to observe it?
Women's month is the time I get to be recognized and appreciated by the rest of the world. I soak up all of the recognition while making sure to shower all women and girls with more love during the month than I do on a regular basis (everyday I make it a habit to uplift and support the women I encounter).