Joy

The Rapatalo family have been members of Liberty Science Center since 2018. We went to our first member nights, celebrating Halloween. My girls decorated pumpkins as part of the night. They were so full of joy in their costumes (Sofia was Linguini from Ratatoullie and Ava was a black cat). Finding those moments when your kids are full of smiles and possibility made this past Friday special.

I have been an active NYU alumni leader since graduating in 1997. As an undergrad in the 1990s, I built the foundation for leadership and social justice work.

NYU has provided my with so much joy because I get to be a part of joyous spaces over and over again.

At the CAS alumni luncheon, Dr. Barbara Paul-Emile was given an alumni achievement award. After sharing her story of how she got to NYU, she ended with giving thanks to each of her family members in attendance. The joy on her face to celebrate that moment with her family was electric. And to hear how what she and other students fought for in the 60s wasn't dissimilar to what I and others fought for in the 90s was inspiring.

She found her community and family at NYU. So did I.

I ran into a buddy who I did CAS Summer Orientation with back in 1996 (!). David N. brought his HS daughter to NYU and when he saw I was at the weekend, reached out to me to catch up. We went to Washington Square Park to catch up. That park is at the heart of so many NYU memories, so going back there to catch up was a full circle moment. David is doing great things as an ER administrator!

You never know who you'll run into when you're at an NYU alumni event!

At the MLK Scholars Program reunion, I got to hear from an alumni panel of MLK scholars. Shout out to NYU OGs Travis Montez Johnson and Murray Abeles for sharing their wisdom on the panel and for Michael Funk for moderating the panel. I've always held the MLK Scholars program in high esteem because they got DEI before it was a popular term. Hearing Travis' and Murray's experiences in the program and what they learned reminded me of what I learned about leadership and inclusion in other spaces.

When you have a space that allows you to be your authentic self, you're destined to do great things.

At the Volunteer Recognition and Service Awards, I saw amazing alumni volunteers and affinity/regional groups get their flowers. When I started alumni leadership in 1997, there were a handful of affinity/regional groups. Now there are over 200!

To hear the stories of these groups/volunteers. from NYU Shanghai doing events called NYU Stories to have younger alumni interview older alumn to a new volunteer in LA finding her community in LA through building spaces for LA alumni to come together to Nikolai Wolfe giving thanks to his wife and daughter for supporting him to be an incredible past NYUAA President, I am reminded we all create spaces for people to connect and to be inspired.

At the Mambo Movement and Melodies event, I got to dust off my mambo shoes (I fondly recall NYU Salsa and Merengue Nights and dancing at Canti's and dancing at Latin Quarter!) and dance again. I used to take mambo classes at Razzmtazz nearly two decades ago. I love the music and I love the rhythm and soul of the dance. Thank you to Katherine Jimenez for leading us through a mambo routine (I need to do more cardio btw!).

We also find joy through movement and music.

At the Forever Violet Alumni Bash, Diana Mendez and I gave a toast to the 150 alumni in attendance at the bash.

I was reminded of the United Colors of Bennetton commercials in the 90s, where you saw folks of all kinds on screen. The bash reminded me of the diversity of NYU by identities and generations.

Check out the post I shared with pictures from the Alumni and Families Weekend!

Brooklyn Lab Charter School STAND UP!

We held our 10th anniversary gala this past Wednesday. Between the awards to BkLab community members, the African dance and percussion set, and rousing keynote speech from Roland Martin (I'm sitting in what it means to be an education revolutionary. I always hated the term education reform btw), I came away inspired and excited about the next 10 years.

Given our 8 week timeline, we raised over 100K!

I'm proud to be a BkLab board member. #IronSharpensIron #LabStrong

Shanita and I saw A Tribe Called Quest at the Rock The Bells Festival on Governors Island in the early 2010s.

Arguably our BEST live hip-hop moment was Busta Rhymes popping up to perform his spit on Scenario.

ATCQ defined a lot of my teenage years. From Scenario to Award Tour to Electric Relaxation to Check the Rhime, ATCQ set a vibe that transcends generations.

I was excited they got their flowers in their recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The full clip is here.

A reminder from EdLoc CEO Sharhonda Bossier about the power of multiracial coalitions:

"Within our Network, we know in our core that our fights for liberation are linked and that we need each other to get to freedom. We know that EdLoC is our home and source of strength as we continue our collective fight for a future where our young people and communities are thriving."

Read the full blog post here.

#WeAreEdLoc

#BIZDEVSTORIES

My first career coaching client came back in 2013.

Back then, I wasn't marketing myself as a career coach. I loved sharing career advice with friends and colleagues, as I had learned a great deal from my own experiences and a career in hiring.

Megan Valdez and I met through Rudy Valdez back in the early 2000s. She reached out to chat about her next career move, and my advice turned into "I'd pay you for your coaching!"

I hadn't ever thought of charging for my career advice. So we set a reasonable rate to work together, and there it began.

Sometimes the best way to sell is to show up and be generous to people. People will see your worth before you do.

Check out our NEW Stronger Consulting service offering!

Sign up to learn more at our webinar this Wednesday 10/30.

Register now: https://hubs.li/Q02VDNVl0

NEW Leverage Publishing Group offering: The Leverage Anthology Book.

The book will have people from diverse backgrounds with important stories and lessons about diversity and inclusion at a time when we're not doing that very well.

We offer an opportunity to gather your first book with around 15 authors and one theme. Your book will have your name on it, with your title, top billing, exclusive cover, and ISBN number. Your chapter will come first, and it will feature 14 other amazing authors.

Additionally, you will be in 14 other books, so this book will give you great visibility.

We have a limited-time price offer to get in on this.

Message me with the subject line: Anthology, and I'll share more info.

Product, Service, Person

Check out the TWELFTH PSP!

Product

NYU alumna Lola Banjo founded Silver and Riley five years ago. A Black-owned luxury brand, they have some of the BEST leather bags in the market.

Check them out here.

Service

My friend and fellow NYU alumna Folashade Otuyelu runs her own travel company. She helps busy professionals plan custom unique bespoke travel experiences around the world.

More here!

Person

Shouting out Pablo Munoz , a former superintendent turned education and leadership consultant AND podcaster. We caught up this past week, and it's always nice to meet another podcaster elevating the voices of leaders. Check out his podcast Latino Leaders

P.S. I am taking calls from authors who need coaching and development, ghostwriting, or editing and publishing support!

Expand your brand and deepen your credibility at 1/10 of the price of a doctorate or MBA!

Contact me here to schedule a call.

P.P.S. I'm an author. My book, Leverage the People Who Love and Care About You Personally and Professionally, is about the archetypes of people you need in your circle of champions to further your career.

P.P.P.S.Shanita Rapatalo (She/Her) and I lead our own business, the Rapatalo Group LLC ! We do K-12 professional development, research, coaching, and public speaking. Learn more here , and message me if you need our support!

P.P.P.P.S Stronger Consulting is looking to support social impact organizations with its signature search and consulting services. If you're a senior leader/hiring manager, let's chat so we can see how our services align to your needs.