Diary of a Founder: With Immense Gratitude…

I woke up in immense gratitude. Thankful to Debra Langford and Adrienne S. Alexander, Esq. for making sure I was exactly where I was supposed to be this past weekend. Walking into my first annual Leading Women Defined Summit took my breath away, a space of excellence centered in collaboration, community, and collective impact uplifting fellow Black women through a platform uniquely designed just for us. It was just what I didn’t know I needed in terms of sisterhood, connecting, and embracing new people all against the backdrop of the ocean and sheer elegance.?

L-R: D'Angela Proctor, Esquire , Sheila Marmon , Adrienne S. Alexander, Esq. , Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, Rajoielle “Raj” Register

It continues to be a season of in-person gatherings, old friends mixed with new friends, thought provoking conversations and truth telling about the mountains we are climbing while also celebrating each other and our wins.?

There were so many special moments that will be forever imprinted in my soul from this cadre of prominent women. This one right here, legacy and leaders is something I never would have imagined - Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & White House Press Secretary (first Black person and the first openly LGBT person to serve in the position), fellow mom to an 8 year old daughter and Lisa Price, founder of Carol’s Daughter (one of the first African American-owned product lines with a flagship store) and one of my absolute favorites. Lisa joined me on Season 1, Episode 18 on Business of the Beat podcast and has been such an inspiration to me and my work to support Black beauty and wellness founders.?

What a moment. Each of us have broken boundaries, been the first, are mothers and at times carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. It is moments like this that take my breath away, remind me how truly blessed and favored I am to be able to stand arm in arm knowing that I am following on the same journey toward expanded greatness with women I so greatly admire.???

L-R: Lisa Price, Karine Jean-Pierre , Kendra Bracken-Ferguson

As I continue my month of travel, speaking engagements and commitments, I am reminded of this verse:?

Exodus 34: Father, help me to stay the course, and not quit but press on until Your will is done.? Such a powerful verse as I reflect on all the women in the room most affectionately and with the most gratitude to @Debra Lee, Former Chairman & CEO, BET Networks and Founder, Leading Women Defined who is the source, creator and inspiration behind so many women following our course.? If you have not read Debra’s book - I AM DEBRA LEE: A MEMOIR, read it today. Your heart will be full… Lee writes: “I don’t just love Black culture—the magic in our hair, the swagger in our steps, the particular way we can say ‘alright now’ to fit our changing moods—Black culture saved me.”

I Am Debra Lee: A Memoir available on Amazon

In Community….