Winning Circle, Leading Circle!

First scream with me "AAAAAAHHHHHH!" I am one of the Top 40 Under 40 Women In Kenya in 2024, an incredible list of women who are a force to be reckoned with! I tear up as I write this because honestly when I saw the list of women, "my gosh!" some of them have job titles and expertise of things I can barely pronounce let alone tell you what they mean, the accolades they've garnered make them worthy of being on the list and I remember my Aunt recently telling me "but Angela you're incredible too!" and the common words I've heard over and over again is that this is "well deserved". So the scream carries with it resounding joy, disbelief (like "I'm really that Babe!" - you bet I have been saying this in front of the mirror a lot hehe!) and a heart full of gratitude.

I never in a million years would have thought that little old me, a girl who mainly grew up in Slough (UK) for majority of my life and one day made the decision to adhere to the God call (those who know, understand me fully) pack up the life I had known most of my teen and adult life to relocate and try living in her original home country (Kenya), to then fast forward to almost nine years later with me dancing on stage to receive an award with my name on it, I can honestly tell you that was never in my life plan. Those who know me will know I am definitely not into attention I know at times what I do in regards to my work life will attract it but I don't necessarily seek it. I do things because it is my duty to do and to be recognised for the little contribution I do to help eradicate period poverty despite not doing it alone, I have an incredible Founding Partner who does the heavy lifting with me it was indeed an honour to celebrate this win not only for me, for my team, for SisterSpeaks Global and specifically the girls and women with whom we hope to positively change through the work we do in all our projects and national drives geared to combat period poverty.

I called this article Winning Circle, Leading Circle because I have had time to reflect and understand how I found myself as one of the 40 women on the list and despite my consistency in grafting through over the years to get things done despite the challenges I have faced, it is important that I also acknowledge how blessed I am to have incredible humans in my circle that play a part in different ways to who I have became today. It blows my mind that out of 1,998 applications only 28 were suitable on the list and so a further 12 were selected by the team behind the award. I was one of the 12 drawn up, which means my name was nominated and identified as suitable by individuals who saw me fit to be a finalist and that is such an amazing testimony in itself. The recognition came at a time when I really was wondering whether I had done everything that can be done and believed that perhaps I had contributed enough, and as best as I could. I was indeed wondering and questioning whether I was still on track but only for God to remind me that yes you're still on track and in order for me not to question or doubt his confirmation he had to ensure I believe him and he did this by announcing it publicly for even all of you too see that I am on track. This win is a reminder to me from God that "Angela, your job is not done and you need to keep going" and If there was ever a time God spoke loud and clearly to me, it would be the day when I got confirmed that I would be on the list and he has not stopped talking to me since then. I can honestly say God is wonderful and this is as much my win as it is his, and I can't wait to unravel what else he has planned through me.

We recently had a Heels Connect event tailored for women in tech and we were able to have an event that was extremely successful that those who attended continue to share how the event has been a positive contribution to their life. We had a list of incredible speakers, tech expert mentors and honestly everything that we confirmed including event partners, speaks highly about us, as organisers, the power of our associations and ability to maintain incredible relationships that came through and added value to what will now be an ongoing trail blazing event that incubates an environment of knowledge sharing and fostering impactful networks. The event in collaboration with Power Learn Project and organisation co-founded with another woman who is also on this year Top 40 Under 40 list Mumbi Ndung'u, who also happens to be a dear friend. Both of this recent events made me remember the words of The Late Colin Powell, Former United States Secretary of State who wrote a book called My American Journey and in it he talks at length about the power of association. Below is an extract that I believe highlights the importance of looking at your circle and asking yourself the following questions:

• Are we adding value to each other?
• Do we genuinely want to see each other win?
• Are we inviting each other to pull up and take a seat at the winners table?
• And most importantly do we sing each other's praises about what the other does in rooms when the person is absent?

If there is a slight hesitation in any of those questions then it's time to review yourself and those around you. I hope the following extract will bless you like it blesses me.

Extract from My American Journey by Colin Powell:

"The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity. An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people. As you grow, your associates will change. Some of your friends will not want you to go on. They will want you to stay where they are.?Friends that don't help you climb will want you to crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that don't increase you will eventually decrease you.

Consider this: Never receive counsel from unproductive people. Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how. Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person.?

Don't follow anyone who is not going anywhere. With some people you spend an evening: with others you invest it. Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life. Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships. If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl, but if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights.

"A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses." The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate - for the good and the bad. Note:?Be not mistaken. This is applicable to family as well as friends.?Yes...do love, appreciate and be thankful for your family, for they will?always be your family no matter what. Just know that they are human first?and though they are family to you, they may be a friend to someone else and?will fit somewhere in the criteria above.?In prosperity our friends know us, in adversity we know our friends and through that learn to never make someone a priority when you are only an option for them."

May your winning circle lead you to great heights and importantly may you win together and celebrate one another.?