Thank you, Principal Lyons

For the month of February, I wanted to take a moment to recognize a leader who is making a difference. At Public Knowledge?, we often support people working in the public sector, and we are amazed daily by their capabilities in making the world a better place. 

• How did you meet or do work with the person? 

Karen Brooks-Lyons was my elementary school principal.

• How have they had an impact on you? 

She was the first African-American to become a principal in the State of Wyoming. I didn't understand what this meant at the time but as my awareness grew, I was able to see how she made a world of difference for so many by serving as our principal.

• How have they had an impact on the public sector? 

I must admit, considering my age, it is somewhat disappointing to me to realize it took until my grade school years for an African-American to serve in this leadership capacity throughout the State of Wyoming. Especially when we would express our pride around being the Equality State.

As I reflect, I believe this is why I didn't understand the importance, because to me, whoever is most qualified to do the job, made sense! She clearly was qualified, a genuine leader, and had the experience to back it all up. To me, she was my principal and I had profound respect for her and still do!

• Why was recognizing them for Black History Month important, and why it's important for overall Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging? 

When thinking about this feature, I wanted to recognize someone who left a lasting impression on my life. Seeing strong women as leaders in my community and in my life has shaped the person I am and I am grateful.

At Public Knowledge? we have strong teams that bring diverse perspectives to get to the right solutions. Therefore, cultural celebrations are important to our team and individual practices. Thank you for sharing your experiences, and for adding value to the world. We are who we are because of you.