Calling all fly college + career millennial women to this awesome opportunity!

When I started CMB Professional Development Agency, who knew we would be blessed enough to start a mentor program. I started CMB when I was 25 years old. All of my close friends were out of school; and I had reached that awkward age where I didn't have any close friends still in college... I was starting to feel old!

Anywho, many of my female friends and associates started approaching me about wanting to get involved. We all wanted to find a way to help women in college and graduate school. We all wanted to be that rational voice that we once needed to hear the winter break before graduation when you questioned the last 3.5 years of your life. We wanted to be that boss career woman we sought advice from when trying to figure out what to do with our politics degree.

We, like most millennials, have this knack for wanting to help each other out. We also like succeeding at our passions. CMB Mentor is the avenue to embrace both of those millennial tenets. At CMB Mentor, we strive to connect millennial college women to career women in their industry. We do monthly check-ins via Skype/Facetime. I also host monthly webinars related to networking, career advancement, and leadership. 

This spring, I want to plan a brunch in NYC! I'd love to gather college seniors and career women for an afternoon of delicious brunch, networking and of course ki-ki'ing. We're also going to continue to dive deeper on our webinars. We'll build on the foundation we laid in the fall when we hosted "Critical Conversations on a College Campus," and discussed how to address acts of discrimination and racism on campus. We welcome students to share their experiences. We ask mentors to share their wisdom and offer support. It will be awesome!

If you're a millennial college or a career woman,

that wants to succeed in their professional aspirations,

that likes seeing other women "win" on their grind and in their hustle,

that enjoys attending fun meet-ups and ki-ki'ing with the girls -

CMB Mentor is for you! Sign-up here!

To apply to be a Mentor, CLICK HERE!

To apply to be a Mentee, CLICK HERE!

A few of our CMB Mentors shared their wisdom and experiences during the #SheLeads2016 virtual conference. Our facilitators shared tips on networking, taking on leadership roles at work, self-care and more! Sign-up here and get access to some of these fantastic workshops!

Color Me Brave: Dr. Kendra Liljenquist #researchfellow #boss #womeninstem

Color Me Brave is a blog series that celebrates amazing women that are both successful in their careers and supportive towards other women trying to make it. This series was created especially for millennial women of color because I want them to see other women of color that have been in their place, walked in their shoes and persevered. Color Me Brave is full of fabulous women leaders with dynamic stories. Enjoy and join me in applauding these industry leaders. To contact our Color Me Brave leaders, please email hello@thecolormeb.com.

Kendra Liljenquist, PhD.

Color Me Brave: Where did you attend college? Graduate school?

Kendra Liljenquist: I went to undergrad at the University of San Francisco. I did my PhD at Boston university. While both universities are amazing, I think I got just as much of an education from the cities and people there. 

Color Me Brave: What do you do for a living? Where do you work?

Kendra Liljenquist: Right now I am a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Washington Medical School, in the Rehabilitation Medicine department. My research is centered on identifying ways to promote access to services for children, youth and young adults with disabilities and guarantee they are given the opportunity to pursue whatever endeavors in life they may choose. I specialize in measurement development and use when conducting needs assessments with a particular focus on ensuring the instruments we use to assess needs are accessible to individuals with differing abilities and incorporate the perspectives of people from varying cultures. Too often are the ways we measure needs and progress centered on the dominate culture, and as such, we risk doing a disservice to some of our most vulnerable populations. 

Color Me Brave: Why did you decide to take on this position? Is it part of a larger plan for you?

Kendra: I recently completed my PhD. For additionally training, early career researchers sometimes do a post-doctoral fellowship. These are usually 1-2 year appointments and allow for further training in specific areas of interest that may not have been a focus during doctoral work. I chose to do a fellowship at UW to allow me to gain more skills around statistical analyses and put together a few grants to do some local community and international work. 

My larger plan is to be in a position to work with UNICEF aiding families in accessing services in resource limited countries. I've included a link to a video that shares the work as this video more fully shows just how different resources can be... 

Color Me Brave: Are you a member of any professional organizations? If so which ones?

Kendra: During my doctoral work I served as the co-chair for the Disability Interest Group within the Society for Community Research and Action. Currently, I work with Seattle Parks and Recreation Specialized Programs and Special Olympic Washington as park of their Family Resource Team. 

Color Me Brave: What are the biggest challenges you face in your job? In your industry?

Kendra: Perhaps one of the hardest challenges is getting funding agencies to recognize the importance of and need for more culturally appropriate needs assessments and service planning. 

Many funding agencies state they uphold promoting diverse research and diverse participant pools and yet, I see so many research studies published where over 90% of participants are white, often funded by these same grant agencies. 

Color Me Brave: How do you overcome obstacles in the workplace?

Kendra: I think I am very fortunate to work in a field centered around helping people with differing abilities access and participate fully in life however they may choose. Because of this, I find it very easy to talk with my colleagues and mentors about any obstacles I may be facing, and they are  very open to working through any issues as well. I recognize not everyone will be in a work environment such as this but I do think one of the most important things is to be okay with seeking advice outside of work. 

Finding confidants who can help you see things from a more objective standpoint will almost always help you to be able to approach a conflict or challenge calm and rationally and often overcome it while gaining the respect of your work peers and supervisors. 

Color Me Brave: What’s something you wish you could tell your college freshman self?

Kendra: As soon as you truly stop caring about what others think is the moment your purpose in life is revealed to you. It takes work to get to a place where outside judgment can truly be tuned out, and I still struggle with it at times, but if I could tell my freshman self how excited I'd be to wake up and do what I do at 27, I think I may not have doubted myself at times along the way. 

Color Me Brave: How can women show their support for other women in the workplace?

Kendra: This may be a bit much for some places, but I work in a very open and accepting environment, so when I see women of color in any of the places I frequent with work I make a point to speak with them and learn about their career goals. I hope it shows them I am genuinely interested in what they are doing and am cheering them on. 

Color Me Brave: What do you do to relax with your girlfriends?

Kendra: I love brunch! But what millennial of color doesn't haha? I love planning brunch with my girlfriends and sharing and laughing with each other about anything from work to what the Shade Room posted. 

Color Me Brave: Anything else you want our millennial hustlapreneurs to know about you?

Kendra: Network, network, NETWORK!! I can't even say how many times I decided to strike up a conversation or write an e-mail and it ended in an amazing career opportunity. As intimidating as it may seem, most people do want to see you do well in your career endeavors so reach out, tell them you think what they do is interesting and watch the collaborations and opportunities unfold! And of course, I welcome any one who may want to chat more with me :)

For more information Color Me Brave and other CMB services, check out our website www.thecolormeb.com ! Click here to join our mailing list!

Continue reading this issue "Color Me Brave" and learn about the fabulous Diamond Gallow and entrepreneurship ...

A couple of our CMBrave honorees shared their wisdom and experiences during the #SheLeads2016 virtual conference. Our facilitators shared tips on networking, taking on leadership roles at work, self-care and more! Sign-up here and get access to interactive + fantastic workshops!

Color Me Brave: Leandra Cartagena #servantleader #stjudes #womenpower

Color Me Brave is a blog series that celebrates amazing women that are both successful in their careers and supportive towards other women trying to make it. This series was created especially for millennial women of color because I want them to see other women of color that have been in their place, walked in their shoes and persevered. Color Me Brave is full of fabulous women leaders with dynamic stories. Enjoy and join me in applauding these industry leaders. To contact our Color Me Brave leaders, please email hello@thecolormeb.com.

Leandra Cartagena

Color Me Brave: Where did you attend college? 

Leandra Cartagena: University of San Francisco. Graduated in 2010 with a degree in International Business and Finance.

Color Me Brave: What do you do for a living? Where do you work? 

Lea: I work for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® as a Bilingual Regional Development Representative II- That means I do events that fundraise money for the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.

I have been in my job for 2 years and I love it. I see myself growing within the company and staying here forever.

I get to do what I love. I plan amazing events that bring joy to the attendees and lots of money to find a cure for pediatric cancer. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food. I work hard to make sure that no family ever has to worry about medical bills while being treated at St. Jude. All a family should worry about is helping their child live.

Color Me Brave: Why did you decide to take on this position? Is it part of a larger plan for you? 

Lea: It was a great opportunity for me to utilize my planning skills and support an organization I blindly believe in.

Color Me Brave: Are you a member of any professional organizations? If so which ones? 

Lea: I am a sister of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.  My job requires a lot of travelling and that limits my involvement.

Color Me Brave: What are the biggest challenges you face in your job? In your industry?

Lea: In the nonprofit industry, the biggest struggle is that there are too many nonprofits. Millennials are obsess with starting their own nonprofit instead of supporting a well-established one.

One thing I have learned in my job is that you can’t control everything. No matter how well you planned there are certain factors that you can’t control. It is okay to accept that uncertainty is going to happen.

Color Me Brave: How do you overcome obstacles in the workplace?

Lea: Being organized and research are two key factors. If you do these two things, it is much easier to work through the obstacles and find solutions that emerge out of the problem.

Color Me Brave: What’s something you wish you could tell your college freshman self? 

Lea: Listen to Dad’s advice about life and money. Save half of your financial aid refund and enjoy college to the fullest since it will be some of your best years.

He has always been right.

Color Me Brave: How can women show their support for other women in the workplace?

Lea: As women, we need to learn to up lift each other instead of seeing each other as competition. Understand that we need each other to grow. It is important for us to find a woman mentor someone who understands us and is able to push us to greatness.

Color Me Brave: What do you do to relax with your girlfriends?

Lea: My girlfriends and I love and cherish our dinner/wine dates. Dates where we vent and support each other. Where we laugh or cry depending on the mood.

We also enjoy going Latin Dancing. Dancing is the cure to any heartbreak or any problem. Gotta dance it out.  

Color Me Brave: Anything else you want our millennial hustlapreneurs to know about you?

Lea: I’m 29 years old with a long life ahead of me. The things I have learned so far is that you need to make time for the people you love. It does not matter how busy you think you are. Make time for those who matter. Relationships are a two way street and they take work.

For more information Color Me Brave and other CMB services, check out our website www.thecolormeb.com ! Click here to join our mailing list!

Thank you for reading the first edition of Color Me Brave blog series! Learn more about our services and #SheLeads: Leadership + Empowerment Conference on our website!

A couple of our CMBrave honorees shared their wisdom and experiences during the #SheLeads2016 virtual conference. Our facilitators shared tips on networking, taking on leadership roles at work, self-care and more! Sign-up here and get access to interactive + fantastic workshops!

Color Me Brave: Diamond Gallow #artist #entrepreneur #hairguru

Color Me Brave is a blog series that celebrates amazing women that are both successful in their careers and supportive towards other women trying to make it. This series was created especially for millennial women of color because I want them to see other women of color that have been in their place, walked in their shoes and persevered. Color Me Brave is full of fabulous women leaders with dynamic stories. Enjoy and join me in applauding these industry leaders. To contact our Color Me Brave leaders, please email hello@thecolormeb.com.

Diamond Gallow

Color Me Brave: Where did you attend college? Graduate school?

Diamond Gallow: I attended college at Fordham University in New York City. In the summer of 2012, I made a conscious decision to dropout with only 3 semesters to complete my degree. Why? Simply because I realized that not only was I wasting money, more importantly, I was wasting my time in school. School had nothing to offer me. The work was easy - I mean easy - as in I've written a 10-page paper in 1.5 hours easy. And got an A. 

I realized that I was paying into a system that was not for me. You see, I've never really been interested in getting a job. I've always been an entrepreneur. I sat down with myself and I said, "Self, at your core, what do you believe in". The response was easy. FREEDOM. I value and have always valued freedom much more than security. I'm ok with hardship. I've faced hardship. Don't let my grammar, college, or marginal success fool you, I'm from the hood of Houston, Texas. I have been tested and I do not fear hardship. Fear is an almost useless emotion that most people allow to dictate their entire lives. That being said I made a decision not to fear the future, or other people's opinions of me and I dropped out. It was the best choice I've made thus far! 

Color Me Brave: What do you do for a living? Where do you work?

Diamond: Entrepreneur - a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk. I work for myself. I am a licensed realtor in Texas and New York, I use this license occasionally to make some money. It has a great purpose for my future, that with time will reveal itself to the world. 

My passion, currently is hair. I was blessed to have the skills to install and style hair extensions in ways that no one else has seen, done, or experienced.  My company is called Bombshell En Route. We are currently a mobile extensions salon in Houston and we will be branching out to other cities soon. 

Color Me Brave: Why did you decide to take on this position? Is it part of a larger plan for you?

Diamond: I took on this position because it gave me peace and passion. I learned how to do hair because my family was too poor for me to afford to get my hair done. I learned a lot about hair. At my heart, I'm an artist. I think everyone is! They just don't realize their talents. I took my gift, developed it into a skill and made a lot of money from it. Now, I'm ready to branch out into a corporation much bigger than myself and a few employees.

Color Me Brave: Are you a member of any professional organizations? If so which ones?

Diamond: I'm a member of HAR, Houston Association of Realtors. That's about it. It is something I am working on. I have a tendency to isolate myself. I use isolation to focus, and network to grow. I plan on joining a few organizations this year. They're great for networking, but they don't necessarily grant success. 

Your ability to think outside of the box (playing chess) and your tenacity dictate success. The truth is I find networking uncomfortable. It (doesn't feel genuine) so I avoid it. I'm just a really direct person. I don't want to dance around what I want from you. I don't want to waste time pretending like I want to get to know you better. Genuine relationships are built over time. If I want something from someone, I find them and tell them what I want. I don't want the responsibility of maintaining my position within a professional organization. I have a husband, 3 sons, and a business. My time is extremely limited and thus valuable. 

Color Me Brave: What are the biggest challenges you face in your job? In your industry?

Diamond: Challenges are problems but more importantly they are opportunities. There are a lot of people that are in the beauty industry. I guess you can call that a challenge. It means that I have to have the discipline to execute marketing. The mental capacity and creativity to think outside of the box. I have to be flexible enough to change with the market. 

I have to stay educated about the industry and just slay (execute) it. It's really that simple. I can't call them challenges. It's kind of just a task list. Focus and commitment are key. 

Color Me Brave: How do you overcome obstacles in the workplace?

Diamond: This one is hard. Lol so my personality type is an ENTJ (look it up). My workplace is me. All begins and ends with me. I like that. That's why I didn't see the point in college. I try to eliminate obstacles as much as possible. However, they still happen. When they do happen, I try to take a moment and evaluate the situation without my own ego. It helps me see clearer. 

After this, I coordinate a plan that I feel is mutually beneficial, I present it and we make edits from there that are fair. 

So overcoming obstacles in steps: 
1. Evaluate the reality of the situation without ego
2. Weigh the pros and cons 
3. Make a plan
4. Take action immediately

Color Me Brave: What’s something you wish you could tell your college freshman self?

Diamond: Don't become trapped in other people's ideas of who you are or who you should be. You are worthy and deserving of the best. Never settle for anything less. 

Also, don't run from pain and hurt. Face it, embrace it, feel it, accept it, discern it; then, use it as power. Great people are made by their ability to overcome struggle. The struggle strengthens you. Don't fear it. It's much like building muscles. It hurts at first. You think it's impossible on day 1. However, by day 90, you really get to see results and you start feeling great about it. In fact, you cant stop doing it. You see, muscles are built by tissue being ripped apart then forced to heal. This happens over and over and over again. Each time, building the muscle. 

It really isn't about how many times you've been hurt , broken, or ripped apart. It's all about your ability to heal. Get back up and keep going. In the words of Les Brown, "If you can look up, you can get up". 

Color Me Brave: How can women show their support for other women in the workplace?

Diamond: Remove your ego. Be honest. Say what's on your mind(with tact). Look for a solution together. Be conscious of when you're not being supportive, and make a decision to change that. 

Color Me Brave: What do you do to relax with your girlfriends?

Diamond: I don't have many girlfriends lol. Every once and a while we go out for dinner, or we sit and talk. We play board games, and we get responsibly wasted. I'm socially an extrovert, but the moment I'm home, or alone, I genuinely enjoy the silence and space to be left with myself and my thoughts.... I like doing all the above by myself too. Minus the board games lol Bikram Yoga helps a lot.

Color Me Brave: Anything else you want our millennial hustlapreneurs to know about you? 
Diamond: I have failed more times than I have ever succeeded. On a yearly basis I face an obstacle I feel at one moment I can never recover from. I get the stuffing knocked out of me. But I get up and I go harder. Go hard. You don't have anything to lose. The opposite is far bleaker. For in complacency you risk losing your very being, which is the greatest thing you have to lose.

For more information Color Me Brave and other CMB services, check out our website www.thecolormeb.com ! Click here to join our mailing list!

Continue reading "Color Me Brave" and learn about Lea's work at St. Jude's research hospital...

A couple of our CMBrave honorees shared their wisdom and experiences during the #SheLeads2016 virtual conference. Our facilitators shared tips on networking, taking on leadership roles at work, self-care and more! Sign-up here and get access to interactive + fantastic workshops!

I'm the CEO of my Destiny!

I am a proud member of a black greek organization. While taking the steps to join my organization, like others that have completed the journey, I learned a poem that changed my life. I love every line of the poem but one line ignites my core every time.

"I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul."

That is deep, y'all. In the context of my journey to joining my illustrious sisterhood, this line means no one but YOU can stop you from achieving your goals. It means you are in control of your life, decisions and strength. 

In my the context of my life, almost 7 years later, what does it mean?

As a young professional woman trying to make it in corporate america, in NYC, it's easy to feel like I am not in control. Other people decide my salary, how much my rent is, if my subway train will work - and those outcomes have larger implications in my life. 

My salary can dictate my quality of life. If rent is $2000/month for a one-bedroom, that has huge implications (because I am NOT paying that much for a space I do NOT own). If my subway is not working, forget it. I'm mad and not going anywhere. Like this morning, we got over 20 inches of snow in NYC this weekend and my trains were a HOT MESS.

Then I remembered, "I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul." I remembered my goal for 2016 to be more present. I remembered, I cannot control the subways. I cannot control how my supervisor will treat me. However, I CAN control my response.

This is how I'm stepping into this week. I have a positive attitude ready to deal with the negativity that others may throw my way. Your joy and strength should not waiver because of your haters. They're still going to hate so might as well continue to SHINE!

In 2015, I made the decision to focus on positive things in my life. In 2016, I am taking the time to appreciate those things every day and make my life the happiest it can be. My happiness and joy has manifested into success at work and with my nonprofit organization. We're rolling out two brand new programs and I've already received sooooooo much positive response. 

Email hello@thecolormeb.com to nominate an honoree!

#SheLeads, Leadership + Empowerment Conference

The positive impact is a reflection of my peers and other millennial women embracing my genuine passion for helping women be their best selves at work. 

Are you walking and talking in your truth? 

Are you letting go of fear and insecurity and embracing your true passion? 

Do it! Don't be scared, we can do it together! Sign-up for our mailing list so I can check on your progress and you can hold me to my goals!

xoxo,

Courtney

@TheColorMeB 

Super FLY CMB Item of the Week!

Hellooooooo!

Happy 2016, everyone! 

In 2016, we're switching things up at @TheColorMeB! In 2016, a big goal for me is to be more present. I want to learn how to seize the day and every beautiful moment within it - the good, the bad and the ratchet. (I like a little ratch in my life from time to time.) I also want to learn more about myself and express it to the world. 

Let's start with how I love regal things and will save my money to buy one FABULOUS fashion piece. I'm not ashamed to admit it either! More regularly, I'm looking for a good deal/bargain, but every once in a while, I will splurge. This first CMB Item of the Week is dedicated to my audacious alter ego (need to name her in 2016). 

Photo credit: Who What Wear

She is soooooo fly! So many hot items in this picture - sunglasses, her flawless natural hair, the super cute purse - I want everything!

Since it's finally feeling like winter in New York City, I'm going for the coat! You can get this coat at Nordstrom. It's really well-made and will keep you warm and stylish in the winter time. You could pair this coat with all types of scarves and boots for the perfect work fashion outfit!

Photo credit: Nordstrom.com

Details about the entire outfit are on WhoWhatWear.com. Do you like the coat? Tell us about it in the comments or on our IG @TheColorMeB!

Join our mailing list so we can keep in touch and talk more work fashion :)!