Care for Communities

Hello, LinkedIn Family,

During the latter part of 2023, I embarked on a journey to reconnect with the community I have called home for almost 45 years. It's funny how you can live in an area for so long without fully assimilating or making it feel like home unless you intentionally pursue planting roots. My choice to remain a transplant in Connecticut was passive; I didn’t set out to come here—life led me to Connecticut. Over time, however, I’ve learned to embrace this place as my home. I raised my daughter here, gained numerous wonderful godchildren, grew spiritually, and formed friendships more like family bonds.

Recently, attending the premiere of the documentary series "Stepping Into The Shade" profoundly deepened my appreciation for Connecticut and the Greater Hartford area. This pivotal event broadened my understanding of the state's rich history and cultural backdrop. This powerful documentary has strengthened my connection to Connecticut in a dynamic new way.

As a businesswoman and author, I understand that leaders must genuinely care for the communities they serve to foster impactful growth and stability. "Stepping Into The Shade" beautifully captures this essence. It delves into the lives of those who worked in Connecticut’s tobacco industry, highlighting their journeys of leadership and destiny. The series goes beyond tobacco production, focusing on the individuals who found their purpose and leadership roles amidst the fields. For instance, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was seen by his peers as a spiritual leader and often requested to pray for them in their logging barracks. These stories of young people discovering who they were meant to be while on the tobacco fields are incredibly inspiring.

Kudos to everyone who contributed to this project. I eagerly anticipate watching every episode of the series.

The premiere of "Stepping Into the Shade," hosted by renowned journalist Leslie Mayes-Low, was a highly anticipated event I am grateful to have attended. Held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the Westport Library in Westport, CT, the screening allowed us to experience the series' most captivating scenes, followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion and a live Q&A session.

"Stepping Into the Shade" is a love story about the people who toiled in the soil on Connecticut tobacco farms. This documentary series explores the history of Connecticut tobacco farming and the diverse stories of people from Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Poland, and HBCUs (Historical Black Colleges and Universities) in Atlanta and Pennsylvania who worked on these farms and significantly influenced culture and Civil Rights. This series is a must-watch, directed, and executive produced by Brian Day and Kristen Morgan from Eastern Connecticut State University and hosted by TV Personality June Archer, who is also an executive producer.

Reconnecting with my community and witnessing the stories within "Stepping Into The Shade" has enriched my perspective and strengthened my resolve to invest in the community around me. Our communities shape us, and giving back with the same care and dedication is crucial.

Call to Action:

If you'd like to dig deeper into the importance of leaders caring for the communities they serve, grab a copy of my book, "No Bosses Allowed: Lead to Serve & Transform," available on my website: www.destinyspeak.com.

Thank you for taking this journey with me. Let's continue to care for and uplift our communities together.

Warm regards,

Yvette C Owens