Unlocking Destiny, LLC

For the last year and a half, I’ve been collaborating with my 13 year old to create a planner for middle school Black girls that take into consideration their girlhood journey to confidence, self discovery, their growing executive functioning skills, and use of cognitive behavioral practices to create healthy mindsets and habits. Thus, as of yesterday we have launched the Confident Black Girl stationary line where we will begin with planners!

We are accepting pre-orders now with shipments coming in mid-August! We are so excited about this new journey!

Still processing.

My calling and commitment to a just world has taken me so many places, put me in so many rooms, and beside so many amazing people. I’ve worked in HR, supported organizational development, designed and taught college courses, redeveloped programs for Principal Preparation, coached leaders, and just so much more.

In a conversation with a dear friend, I questioned my role delivering professional development to teachers yesterday and how it all fit together. After yesterday’s session, I was able to see the promise of tomorrow, our next generation of educators, and how equity is being sustained in places despite some people sharing it has been on the chopping block. I told my group yesterday that Philly may have my southern roots beat with hospitality. They were amazing, hungry to do the best by their children, and open to getting better. It was inspiring to watch.

In a conversation with Vashta, Founder of the Colored Girls Museum in Philadelphia, she shared we belong everywhere and nowhere at all. My life is such proof of that, how I’ve been able to touch people in so many places and capacities, spreading justice seeds everywhere I go. ✨

The past couple of days I’ve spent some time at the Maryland Cultural Proficiency Conference. For many this conference is about gaining skills, knowledge, and understanding on ways to disrupt systems and practices of oppression. I’ve also found it to be a place and space to rest and center joy alongside people who are in this fight for justice alike. So many great takeaways!

Now, I’m off to Philadelphia to train the 8th largest school district✈️✈️✈️

Always growing, always learning, and always grateful for the opportunity for new supportive circles! has been such an amazing experience!

It's Teacher Appreciation Week! To the educators out there who wear multiple hats including teaching content, we recognize you this week. This year's education focus has been all about healing a society and teachers are a vital factor in this. Thank today, tomorrow, and yesterday!

If we all could have more....TIME! In my District, mentors have advocated for over 10 years regarding having the time to observe their teachers, talk to their teachers, and just be with their teachers. Mentors had to give up their lunch, time with their families after school, and even planning to ensure teachers had support. This continues to be a barrier to mentoring. We need teachers in the classrooms AND our teachers need support. What creative ways have you seen worked or seen done around time barriers to effective mentoring ?

Before it was a hot topic, I preached that it is not the tangible items which would keep Black educators, but rather the intangible. You know, how they feel when they're in your building, the fairness, the equity, the relationships, the investment, and the support. Surveying Black educators, I learned that they want to be pushed. They want someone to bounce ideas off of who is not in a hurry. They want time. They want space. And they want to be celebrated.

✍🏾Research has also illuminated that Black educators feel unsupported in classrooms as if their growth is not important. Using all of this, I created a premier mentoring service to schools and educators that leverages all of these items.

🎯Investment of Time
🎯 Investment in Professional Growth 🎯Investment in Career Growth
🎯Safe and Trusted Environment
🎯 Collaboration in a container where they're/you're not the only one and so much more.

🥰In a year of support, Black educators will increase the use of their voice to advocate and take on growth opportunities within their school organizations.

Our waiting list opens soon for these amazing programs. I cannot wait to bring out the GEMS in Black Educators!

FAQs:

Q: Who is the Bringing Out the GEMS in Black Educators For?

A: This program is for anyone who identifies as a teacher, Black, and works in an education setting.

Q: What will it be like being a part of this program?
A: You will join a community of Black educators nationwide who are investing in having extra support. We meet monthly to dive into a problem of practice, gain professional development, have one-on-ones, and meet virtually to "free our minds." There will be experts who come in quarterly on various topics from data-driven instruction to self-care as a Black educator.

Q: Can I sign up for this individually or is this just a part of my school?

A: Absolutely! There is an option for individual educators, but also for school leaders who want to have a few of their educators join the cohort.

What have others shared about GEMS mentorship?

🗣️This is what I needed..you push me beyond my own limitations!"

🗣️I feel so seen by you"

🗣️That meeting you prepared me for went extremely well and I learned about team dynamics."

Learn more about Bringing Out the GEMS in Black Educators Mentoring Program by clicking the link in my bio.

Teachers and Leaders, as you think about next year and the needs for yourself or your school...support should be at the top of your list.

The Waiting List for GEMS Mentoring Program for Black Educators is officially open. Join through applying through the link in my bio!

Can't wait to support you this Fall!

I have been having a lot of questions about safety. When we think of safety, we think of a physical threat. But what if I told you that as a school leader, you have staff and leaders in your building who feel unsafe in your environment despite there being no threats to their lives. They are what we call feeling psychologically unsafe. For Black educators, psychological safety is feeling like your job is not at risk, that you can feel, and that you can have an opinion without retaliation. A mentor should be just that--one that provides that space for Black educators without the threat to their security and confidence. How are your mentors ensuring that Black educators are safe to take risks, make mistakes, and have success with them?