Mentoring Memories

I wasn’t sure what to prepare for today’s Throwback Thursday anniversary post, but a great conversation with a new mentee earlier in the week led the way.

?Over the years, I have extended the invitation to serve as a mentor to hundreds of students and young professionals.?

?At the end of every presentation, career information session, or whatever it’s called at the time, I extend the offer. It’s always surprising to me how few take me up on the offer.

?And the number who follow through? Even fewer. After decades of offers, I can still count on them on my own hands and maybe a couple more.

?Yet I continue to make the offer because I believe in mentoring FOR REAL. Not just a half-developed program with no accountability.

?But genuine connection built on mutual respect and promise to develop a relationship extends long past the original need for it to begin.

I believe it so strongly because I had great mentors throughout my life and career. There was the professional second mom mentor who pulled me up out of despair when I was at a low point academically (?? Dr. Joyce Miller).

There was the college professor who knew my major (government) when I didn’t know he knew my name! (Dr. Ted Gordon ???) And he shared my name and vouched for me to his colleague and friend who became my professional mentor and friend for life. That’s right, more than thirty years later and she still can’t get rid of me! (My forever mentor Yvonne Knight??).

I model what I was taught, and what I received. Made even more valuable because as a little black girl from the suburbs of Dallas whose parents did not have college degrees (at the time), I received support and guidance from two well-established black professionals who had no connection to me.

The great part is when things come full circle. At one point, Yvonne asked why I still called her for stuff when she should be calling me! lol

And another, more poignant moment last fall when I spoke to a group of young women at my alma mater and one circled back with a picture of herself with Dr. Gordon because she had to confirm the truth of my story! Lol.

So, when I received this award for being a finalist in the mentor category, it meant a whole lot more than being recognized in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime international health crisis.

It represented who I was and continue to be regardless of the times— a black woman committed to excellence and achieving at her highest level, and just trying to support other young women to do the same along my journey.

?Photo credit: Central Texas Women of Influence, Profiles in Power 2021 Finalist, Mentor Category. Hosted by the Austin Business Journal. “Mentor: women who enrich and inspire the lives and careers of others by sharing their experience and wisdom with those who work with and around them or have influenced others to take charge.”