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!

Color Me Brave: Renita Francois #boss #womenpower #careerwoman

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.

Renita Francois

Color Me Brave: Where did you attend college? 

Renita: the University of California, Berkeley 

Color Me Brave: Graduate school? 

Renita: Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University

CMB: What do you do for a living? Where do you work? 

Renita: I work for the Mayor of New York City as the Deputy Director of the Mayor's Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety, a $210 million dollar initiative focused on reducing violent crime and improving the quality of life in 15 of the highest crime public housing developments in New York City. I work out of the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice where we focus on reducing unnecessary incarceration, driving down violent crime, increasing fairness and building safe and strong neighborhoods. 

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

Renita: When I first started business school I thought, "as soon as I get my hands on my shiny new ivy league MBA, I'm going to run as fast as I can away from public service". I had worked in the sector for so long trying feverishly to make change but seeing little return on my investment and I was exhausted. 

I come from humble beginnings in south central Los Angeles, but was fortunate enough to be one of the ones who "made it". I stayed out of trouble, excelled in the classroom and fought my way into the ivory tower that is UC Berkeley. I was lucky. I was blessed; but I was not ignorant to the fact that success, for those of us who know what its like to grow up in a tough community, comes at a price. 

For me that price was never being able to turn my back on where and who I come from. That mindset is what drove me to work for programs like Section 8 with the housing authorities in both Los Angeles and Compton and for the Juvenile delinquency bench at Brooklyn Family Court. 

I have a heart for my people-- my people being black and brown folks, people who are struggling, those who are barely holding on...people fighting to just BE-- deep down I knew public service was where I was meant to be, but life is a process and I had several corporate doors slammed in my face before I realized that. 

When I found my current role, I was in despair. I had been home for a year after giving birth to my first child and felt the pressure to get back to the workforce. With every 'no' came the voices of doubt, betrayed by my own mind. I'd spend days thinking "you aren't smart enough," "no one is going to pay you that amount JUST because you have an MBA," "you're going to have to take an entry level job because your work experience is not valuable," "you don't even know what you want to do"...I could go on. I had literally been going on job interviews in heels in the summer in humid New York City through my ninth month of pregnancy and back again just weeks after delivering. The pressure was real! 

My support system, my husband, family and close friends, would keep telling me when the time was right something would come--but all I could think was, "can somebody tell these bills the time isn't right".  When I reached my lowest point mentally, my Black girl network came through in the clutch! A friend from undergrad, who I had sparingly spoken to over the previous 10 years, had been contacting me randomly over the recent few months. Neither of us really understood why. We would share small talk via text and one day we prayed together on the phone after talking about my situation. At the end of that conversation she offered to share my resume with the person who led the interview process for a new position she had recently accepted (she is an attorney), we didn't even know if anything was available. 

That person, the COO of our office, responded back saying that he thought I'd be a great fit for my current role. The rest is history. All of the things I anguished over, salary, title, level of responsibility, possibility for learning--were a non issue, but even more perfect than that I was making a return to the public sector in the way I had always dreamed; at the administrative level where I could truly make change. The cherry on top: it was a marriage between both my previous public sector lives- public housing and criminal justice; it was like it was all meant to be. I didn't have to deviate from the plan: Enhance my skillset. Continue forward progress. Never leave my people behind. Set an example for my daughter. 

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

Renita: I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated which is just as much a professional organization as it is a sisterhood. I am currently a member of the Psi Lambda Omega Chapter in Brooklyn and it's great because just being in close proximity of women with so much class, so much know how, so much fire, so much passion, so much grit, so much experience, so much history-- you are bound to soak some of that up no matter what. I am also an alumni of Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) and the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (CGSM).

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

Renita: The biggest challenge I face in my job is being seen as the government. In my role I engage with the community a lot in an official capacity and often times it's hard to sit back and let people vent their frustrations on you without being able to say 

"I know!" "I understand!" "We are from the same place" "I am YOU!". 

It comes with the territory and it helps keep me sharp because it's a reminder to work hard, to do more, to make it so that folks are taken care of and no longer need to vent. It's a tall order, but I didn't take this role to back down from the challenge. On the other side of that, it is also a challenge to look at the crime data and hear about the ills plaguing communities of color, but I feel a responsibility to fight against people's desire to sit up high on their perch and look down low, making suggestions that may or may not work for those communities. It's a balance, but I am glad to have useful perspective on both sides to share. 

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

Renita: By powering through. Only way I know. I'll kick, scream and cry in private if I have to...vent to my support network-- but when I show up to work I'm there to do just that.

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

Renita: Yes! Pick a major that people will understand! (lol) I would tell her to explore different career paths and opportunities. Learn about what's out there. Get off your butt and go to those career fairs! That might be automatic for some folks, but growing up with NO college-educated adults in my life, I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing in college. I only knew how to get in and how to get out!

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

Renita: In my office, us brown girls have a safe space that we communicate in where we mostly crack jokes; but we are also there as listening ears for vent and rant sessions. It stays between us. We don't even talk about the existence of the group in the office. We aren't always hanging together yapping at the water cooler. We rarely go to lunch together. 

It's like a secret network. Lowkey smiles and expressions as we pass each other throughout the day, but in our safe space, we're girls! We have each other's back. We give each other feedback. One of my main vices is my facial expression. If they walk past the conference room glass and see me making a crazy face, they let me know! It's all love. The best way to show support is to BE supportive! Not as easy as it sounds. 

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

Renita: Drink wine and cocktails, laugh at nonsense, discuss celebrities and reality tv stars like we know them and talk mess... isn't that what we all do?? lol

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

Renita: Nothing worth having comes easy. I've learned nothing more crucial in the past 18 months. I almost let the weight of the world smash me, but then I remembered who I am and WHOSE I am. Don't ever forget that...

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 the first issue of "Color Me Brave," and hear about another amazing career woman, Ashley Shaw, here...

February is For Lovers (and Hustlapreneurs!)

February is here! January flew by and the shortest month of the year is upon us! I'm feeling all types of good because it's February and 50 degrees in NYC! I've been praying for a California winter and He showed up!!!

Photo cred: memegenerator.net

The official day of love, Valentine's Day, is also in the month of February. It's the time to snuggle up with your significant other and shower them with love and chocolate. If you're single, it's the time to love yourself and hopefully enjoy time with people you do love. 

I want love to rule each part of my life this month, and I challenge you to do the same. How does it look when love manifests in aspects of your life? It looks like joy and happiness.

At Work

As a Hustlapreneur, there's a couple ways to show love and appreciation at work. A different kind of love than I express with my boo thang, of course. You can express love at work by making it a happier place to work. In your regular life, you're wonderful, nice and compassionate. Do you bring that same generosity and fun-loving personality to work? Try it! Being a good colleague will take you far, and it is a great way to network. Putting on a positive attitude will also make work more enjoyable for you. 

Because she's smiling at work. And WERKing it. 

In my personal life

There are plenty of resources out there to help you plan a creative Valentine's Day night out. But what about with family and friends? How can we focus on showing more love this month with them? In my last blog post, I shared my goals for 2016, including a goal to get closer to my siblings and extended family. One way I'm achieving this, is making sure I call home at least once a week. I've also planned out times when I will fly home to San Francisco. While home, I plan to do a little babysitting of my nieces and nephews. I don't have kids yet and helping my younger sister and niece with their children is an extremely helpful way to provide support and show them appreciation. With my friends, I'm doing the same thing. 

Me babysitting :) Her cheeks!!!

Like many millennials, I finished school and many of my friends dispersed all over the world. I made the move to New York, and have been here for about 3 years. I've been keeping up with them on facebook and instagram, but this month, I'm going to try calling them more and facetiming more. When I say, "we should grab drinks sometime," I'm actually going to schedule time. I love hanging out with my girlfriends and it's too easy to get caught up life and forget to take the time and show your appreciation for them. I also show love by helping them with career development, for free. Always got their back!

Finances

Yes, your finances! Showing love for your finances mean paying attention to them and making wise decisions. As millennials, we're far from retirement. However, we're at the perfect age to think strategically with our finances and purchase property, invest in businesses/projects, invest in our own professional development and more. It's also the perfect age to go out, party with friends and go on super cute dinner dates. You can do it all, but you have to be proactive and make plans for your money. I follow tips from a super helpful millennial that specializes in financial planning and making money! Check out www.amandaabella.com for resources!

Black History Month

Black History Month is every day in my life. I'm that one homegirl that will turn an annoying incident on the street into a history lesson about the fetishization of Sarah Baartman. I'm including a note about BHM because in addition to thinking about our past and honoring our ancestors, February is also a time to think about how the history has affected us today. In 2016, as I read news headlines, one thing is clear - POC must support each other and create a safe space for ourselves. The same kindness and appreciation we employ with our family and friends, we should extend to all, instead of letting these messages of hatred and intolerance influence our actions. 

WE CAN all get along! It's up to us to be the change we wish to see in the world. In February, I challenge you to step up and show love everywhere you go. I'm going to try my best! I need your help though. I'll be all over Periscope this month, sharing positive messages and I need you on with me! Follow me (at)courtney_ball6 and join our mailing list to get notifications of all my broadcasts. 

Xoxo,
Courtney 
Founder of @TheColorMeB

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 :)!

Hello December? OMG, 2015 is Over!?

Hello December!
Can you believe 2015 is almost over?! Me neither!!! It went by so fast. It's already the time of year when people reflect on all the ups and downs of the last 12 months and start thinking about what opportunities the new year will bring.

When I think of the year, especially the last three months, I think about the amazing strides we've made with CMB. We've raised our visibility tremendously this year. Since September, we've launched our mentor program, hosted two webinars, organized fabulous meet-ups and made strong connections with other lady boss millennials. **happy dance**

We had so much fun hosting this meet-up with
Marissa Germain's blog, "The Millennial Takeover!"

It has been amazing and if you follow us, you've seen my face all over these events. I love it all- our programs and services, our mission, networking- I'm always reppin CMB, hard! What some people don't know, is I also work just as diligently and passionately for my full-time position, in human resources.

While growing CMB, I've been grinding just as hard at my 9-5, implementing new processes and tightening up others. I expose myself to every learning opportunity because I want to both be better at my job, and use the knowledge to help my CMB community. It has been a wonderful learning experience but guess what?!

I was exhausted!

Don't get me wrong, I realized committing to this Hustlapreneur life would be a lot of work. Balancing a full-time corporate job, a part-time stylist position, and managing a nonprofit keeps me very busy honey. 

Photo cred: https://ronetheboxhouston.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/boss.jpg?w=300&h=225

What I didn't realize is my ambition and drive for excellence had taken priority over my personal life. In 2015, I can count on one hand how many times I've gone to brunch with my girlfriends. My calls home have decreased, and I feel that love and laughter missing from my everyday life. Shame on me. Family and friends are the cornerstone of my success. They are so important and instrumental in my life. I need to prioritize them as I do my professional life. 

In 2015, I focused on gratitude and being thankful for all the experiences God blessed me with - the good and bad. In 2016, I want to focus on being present. I want to be more present with my family, friends, future friends and colleagues. Seizing the day and appreciating life's moments will be the focus of my life next year. 

What are you looking forward to in 2016? Let's hold each other accountable and help each other achieve our goals. Join our mailing list so we can keep in touch. I want to be more engaged with millennial women in 2016 so expect opportunities to meet-up and talk about our work life, the struggle, millennial fashion and more!

<3

xoxo,
Courtney
www.thecolormeb.com

Why #BlackGirlMagic Will Change the World

What exactly is #blackgirlmagic ? 

Clarissa Joan poses this question and other inquiries of race and womanhood in her article, "Black Girl Magic Defined: Do You Put Your Race before womanhood" in Madame Noire.

When I first saw the hashtag, I knew #blackgirlmagic was all about our limitless strength and power. Every day, I’m in awe of the goals, accomplishments and grace of black women --

My BFF, a Nigerian American, finished law school and is using her degree to start a natural hair care and education empire- #blackgirlmagic

Another bestie started her PhD in 2010 when we finished college; and despite roadblocks, she's defending this Friday- #blackgirlmagic I'll be there giving her a standing ovation because we celebrate each other - #blackgirlmagic

Me and my BFF at our first event collaboration! #naturalhaireverywhere
Check her out at whollyhair.com

Are black women more black than woman though? Personally, I'd say no. Historically and socially, black women have had a subordinate status in both their gender and racial social groups. During the women's movement in the early 20th century, white women advocated and benefited. The needs of black women were not included. Many black women including myself and Alice Walker have felt ostracized in the feminist movement and identify more as a womanist. Being a woman is incredible but as a black woman, I don't see myself in the American feminist movement. Furthermore, historically and currently, black women take a backseat in the fight for black rights and liberties. An example is President Obama's My Brother's Keeper initiative. Don't get me wrong, it is an incredible program and much needed; but black girls are not included.

We will support and contribute to the program’s success though because that's #blackgirlmagic. In both our identity groups, our needs are secondary, so we've learned (and are taught) to create our own opportunities and support each other through it. This past Friday, I experienced an amazing #blackgirlmagic moment.  

Marissa Germain of the Millennial Takeover and I hosted a happy hour in Washington, DC for millennial women. Most of us did not know each other but as soon as we met, it was like we were old friends. We laughed, talked, shared our weekly accomplishments and really enjoyed ourselves. I left the meet-up feeling inspired and motivated. 

A little grainy but you see the magic :)!!!

It was really encouraging to spend time with women that understand and empathize with my journey. Since I was on such sisterhood high after the event, I didn't learn of the Paris attacks until Saturday morning.

Heartbreaking. Devastating. Evil. My heart goes out to everyone affected by these horrific crimes. I pray the culprits are brought to justice, by any means necessary. 

However, I'm happy I learned of the news after experiencing a night of #blackgirlmagic. Being around these women reminded me that we have the power to change the world. At a time when we're consistently seeing unprecedented acts of violence and terrorism, we can be the change we want to see. How? By continuing to be exemplary role models in our community and at home. As mothers, aunts, sisters, girlfriends and cousins, we will continue to show love and how to love to the next generation and our peers. As successful career women, we'll teach the next generation tenacity, perseverance and how to be a contributing member of society. 

We'll do this with grace and integrity because that's what we do. That's #blackgirlmagic. Our CMB community it's full of #blackgirlmagic and I'd love for you to join it. Click here to join our mailing list!