“Women empowerment means sharing my story to encourage others to share theirs.” | The Visionary Inspiring Youth Via Storytelling: Meet Narkie Nartey

Meet Narkie Nartey , a lifelong advocate for making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. From her earliest days, Narkie harbored a profound passion for helping those in need. Yet, it wasn't until she penned a captivating children's book and began sharing it with young minds at a local Title-1 elementary school that she unlocked the extraordinary potential of a tiny green character named Wakaboomee. This revelation sparked the inception of The Wakaboomee Program , a collaborative initiative fueled by the boundless compassion of dedicated individuals and organizations. Through coding, chess, mindfulness, art, Spanish, music, yoga, Zumba, tutoring, and science sessions, Narkie and her fellow advocates empower children, wherever they may be, to thrive. As President-Elect of the RTP Rotary Club and an active participant in various organizations committed to serving underserved populations, Narkie Nartey embodies a relentless dedication to fostering real change within our communities.

Miss EmpowHer: What does women's empowerment mean to you? Why is it important?

Narkie Nartey: Women empowerment means sharing my story to give others the courage to share theirs. It means using my voice and my experiences to strengthen other girls and women who have felt as invisible as I have before. It means leading the pathway toward confidence, authenticity, and power.

Miss EmpowHer: What advice would you give to other women looking to succeed in your industry? What qualities are the most important and what skills should they focus on developing?

Narkie Nartey: Surround yourself with other leaders who care about others just as much as you do and who want to create real impacts in the world.

Miss EmpowHer: Tell us about a woman who has influenced your career and how their guidance has impacted your professional growth.

Narkie Nartey: Attorney Evia Jordan - worked for her through college at NCSU and she showed me what a professional black woman with excellence looked like firsthand.? I admired her at hello.

Miss EmpowHer: How do you handle work-related stress and pressure, and what techniques or practices do you use to maintain your well-being while pursuing a successful career?

Narkie Nartey:

• Doing mindfulness with Dr. Janelle

• Helping others to keep myself busy
• Spoiling the ones I love and myself in little ways and in big ways as often as I can??
• Enjoying nature and going for walks without my cell phone
• Just BEING

Miss EmpowHer: Can you share any lessons or insights you have gained from failures or setbacks in your career, and how you have turned them into opportunities for growth and learning?

Narkie Nartey: When you feel like you're on the bottom, try really hard to pull out the positives of the situation.? If there are none, regroup and consider a new plan. This fresh start may be the impetus for a new opportunity brewing!

"When you feel like you're on the bottom, try really hard to pull out the positives of the situation."

Miss EmpowHer: Can you share any strategies or tips for building a successful network and fostering meaningful professional relationships that have helped you in your career?

Narkie Nartey:?

• Use LinkedIn: Engage and network?
• Join chambers and clubs for fun??
• Find ways to volunteer and help others with your?friends and family?

Miss EmpowHer: What strategies or tactics do you use for setting and achieving your career goals, and how do you stay motivated and focused on your objectives?

Narkie Nartey: I maintain various lists on the blackboards all over my house.

Miss EmpowHer: What motivated you to choose your current career field, and what do you find most fulfilling about your work?

Narkie Nartey: It's my life's passion. The most fulfilling events in my career are when a child tells me that they've figured out what they want to be when they grow up after an impactful Wakaboomee Session, I get goosebumps.

Miss EmpowHer: Can you discuss any specific trends or changes in your industry that you see impacting careers, and how you are preparing to adapt to these changes?

Narkie Nartey: There are lots of opportunities to create income for the entrepreneur who is strategic and innovative.

Miss EmpowHer: What advice do you have for individuals who are starting their careers or looking to make a career change, based on your own experiences and lessons learned?

Narkie Nartey:?

• Build a Team?
• Delegate??
• Set goals??
• Network??
• Hire a Social Media Manager to showcase all of your impressive work??
• Read??
• Enjoy life??
• Be innovative

Miss EmpowHer: How do you approach professional development and continuous learning to enhance your skills and stay relevant in your industry??

Narkie Nartey:?

• Read??
• Take Classes??
• Join in on Zooms??
• Join Clubs??
• Listen to podcasts??
• Engage in random conversations at the grocery store

"Engage in random conversations at the grocery store."

Miss EmpowHer: Can you discuss any significant achievements or accomplishments in your career that you are particularly proud of and what you learned from those experiences?

Narkie Nartey: Being selected as Rotary President 2023-2024 and being CEO of The Wakaboomee Program 501(c)3 since 2016. I'm proud to know so many leaders who inspired me to never give up even when I felt like I wasn't good enough.

Miss EmpowHer: How do you balance your career ambitions with other aspects of your life, such as family, hobbies, and personal well-being?

Narkie Nartey:?

• Blend as much of it all together as possible??
• Make it all as fun and enjoyable as possible??
• Help as many people simultaneously

Miss EmpowHer: Are there any specific books, podcasts, email newsletters, thought leaders/influencers, or training courses/programs that you would recommend for personal or professional growth?

Narkie Nartey: A specific book that I would recommend for personal growth is?

• “A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles”

A famous quote from this book that I hold dearly is “ We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~ Marianne Williamson

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