Our Collective Success Matters Most: Summer 2020 Reflections

The truth is that this message has been written dozens of times, but it never felt as though I could match the words with my emotions. Like many around the world, this summer was like no other I have experienced. It feels like overnight I went from traveling 60,000 miles a year for work to reimagining how I can advance CoLabL’s mission 100% virtually.

I have been fueled everyday by the growing number of people losing their jobs and internships, their savings, their opportunity, a sense of connection and hope. I feel the incredible sense of urgency in their stories. I am fired up about the racial injustice that makes people feel as though they are not seen, that they don’t matter, and that they are not valued in our communities, schools and workplaces. They matter.

I am one person, one entrepreneur on a mission to build an organization rooted in the power of connection. My grandmother, who lived to 96 after years of battling cancer, always said, “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” I titled my first book – Tell Me I Can’t, and I Will – inspired by her wisdom. I have the will. I am committed to building the way. And all the naysayers, delayers and procrastinators just strengthen my motivation.

Now is not the time for talk without action, for division over unity. It is the time to use our common sense, creativity, and strengths to innovate solutions that meet real needs - today. It is time to roll up our sleeves, engage on the frontlines of our communities and organizations and channel compassion for one another – to meet each other where we are and journey forward together. This is an opportunity to acknowledge in the words of a great mentor, Natosha Reid Rice, that we are far more alike than unalike.

As programs were shutting down, learning was pivoting to virtual classrooms, and employees were adjusting to remote work, the need for connection was getting stronger last Spring. I partnered with incredible leaders from BP, Cisco (including Meraki and AppDynamics), LinkedIn, The Gap, PIMCO, MENTOR Canada and others to facilitate 54 Career Connection events in less than four months. We connected young leaders from dozens of nonprofits with employee volunteers to explore career pathways, gather career advice, and expand their professional networks while developing their personal brands, strengthening their communication skills, and boosting their confidence.

When summer jobs, internships and apprenticeships were canceled, I created and piloted the Talent Accelerator – a virtual internship experience delivering project-based learning, career exploration, skill development and mentorship – and worked with 7 education and nonprofit partners to engage 460 young leaders from coast to coast, mostly between the ages of 16 and 25. To support them, I leveraged my network to recruit 276 career coaches – employee volunteers from dozens of companies like Citi, Tata Consultancy Services, Comcast, BP, E*TRADE, Cisco and more. We ran the Talent Accelerator for free all summer – honestly, out of frustration with funding sources that prioritized circular meetings over focused solutions. I stopped engaging in those meetings to develop curriculum, build a platform, recruit partners, design the experience, and deliver results. In the end, we invested over $100,000 to build and manage the program – and I have absolutely no regrets. We saw a need, we have the talent and network to develop a solution, and we answered the call to action…learning and growing each step of the project.

With partners like the Taco Bell Foundation, Pelham Together, Apple and Pfizer, we pivoted from in-person programming to customized, virtual experiences. I applaud every partner that I had the privilege of collaborating with for choosing not to cancel opportunities but reimagine how we can stay connected, deliver value and equip young leaders with the experiences, skills and networks needed to succeed academically, professionally and in life.

I know we made the right decision this summer in following our purpose and passion. I know because I witnessed Yesenia’s boost in confidence in four short weeks as she actively listened to feedback from coaches and surfaced her greatness within. I know because Juan showed us his incredible creativity and we opened doors to Spotify for him. I know because Peace seized every opportunity to network, boost her confidence, and apply insights gained – and she secured her dream (paid!) gap-year job.

I am inspired and beyond grateful to the hundreds of volunteers and 42 partners that we have engaged around the world since April in programming designed to expand networks, develop talent, and accelerate growth. The experiences we created and facilitated were not perfect. For those that were frustrated or did not have their expectations met, I sincerely apologize, take responsibility, and remain committed to continually learning from your feedback, improving our experiences, and strengthening our results.

I know that we are on the right path and will remain on track if we listen to these voices…

“Thank you so much for connecting professionals from different sectors to underrepresented students like me!”

-Amanur

“If more professionals shared their stories, it would impact many students’ lives, especially those that are first-generation college students like me.” -Lawrence

"This experience was really eye-opening as I received feedback from Managers in the tech field as well as 25-year veterans in senior positions at EY." -Pablo

"With all the challenges and obstacles that we're currently experiencing in our country and the world, you managed to offer an outstanding Summer Internship Program to Black and Brown students of New York City. It has been an honor, and I am humbled to have been part of this process." -Lidia

“I loved this program so much! I loved how it always felt like I was in a fun and interactive learning environment while also challenging me to step out of my comfort zone and present/connect with others. I’m really grateful that I had the opportunity to complete the program and that it was all free! I have already recommended this to my friends. I would love to return as a career coach one day to help first-gen students like me succeed and better this world.” -Cindy

“Overall, these short weeks have created months of motivation and inspiration. I am thankful to be a part of the Talent Accelerator. It is an experience that I hope many will be able to learn and carry with them as I will.” -Akaylah

The words, “thank you,” do not feel like enough to express my appreciation for every partner, volunteer and young leader that trusted in our programming, in meeting me where I am in developing CoLabL, and taking a journey together this summer in a time of great uncertainty and change.

I recently listened to an interview with Holocaust survivor, Dr. Edith Eger, who shared that she prefers the word “transition” over “crisis,” explaining that in times of transition, “it is up to us, how we are going to use the time.” We are not in a time of crisis; rather, we are in a time of great transition. The best way I know of expressing my gratitude is through my actions – how I spend my time in this transition.

I worked around the clock this summer. I don’t want recognition. I want to inspire others to follow their passion, to take action in pursuit of their goals and to lift others up every opportunity that they have. I hope that we can journey forward together bringing others along with us. I believe that it is our collective success that matters most.

We are in this transition together. Let’s do everything we can to take care of each other.