The moment life reveals to you…That was for This. Today I
stand in awe of where my adult journey is taking me. I don’t have a clear map
but I am certain that every opportunity is leading to something greater. I
remember as a young girl having my first job as a 4-H mentor. Ironically, it
was not the traditional 4-H of agricultural studies but it was one of literacy
hence the ASAP that followed it: After School Academic Program. Coming from a
single parent home on welfare and public housing I was just looking for an
opportunity to make some money so that I could buy what appeared to be finer
things for my siblings and I. The culture of being ‘the better of the bads’
perplexes me today but was definitely my reality then. That was for This. My
4-H experiences set a precedence for a journey that I am now recognizing will
not only give me purpose but compensate me for my trouble. My 4-H experience
exposed me to entrepreneurship, programing, fundraising, grass root
initiatives, public speaking, public policy, educational outcomes and the like.
Through my 7 year youth experience with 4-H I was able to meet local funders,
travel to Jefferson City (which is a big deal for a girl who never left the
city in which she lived) by train, be a part of the programing process, make a
difference through accountability, and see a world outside of the one my
parents created for me. I received scholarships, local notoriety, and national recognitions in which I was sent to
Washington to convene in meetings with then President George Bush and America’s
Promise Chair Colin Powell. No, my home life was no crystal stair but I had a place I could go and recharge and for that I
will be forever grateful for 4-H. This movement employed my grandmother, aunts,
siblings, neighbors all while training a generation of leaders. That was for
This.
As a young professional I struggle with staying true to the
heart of grass roots efforts while understanding the importance of corporate
sponsorship. That young girl from the 1200 block of Kansas City rises up with
each new opportunity as I declare I refuse to sell out. My biggest fear of
going to college was that I would lose my connection to the core of who I was…I
did not want to change. I prided myself on my ability to be a scholar and a
hoodlum.lol. As I moved closer to receiving my degree in hand it was very clear
to me that I had indeed changed. My friends where new, My mind set had shifted,
My desires where soaring, My goals were transformed, I looked different, I
walked different, I talked different….I was different. In an attempt to shake
myself loose I declared I would become a social worker in the inner city and
work for local agencies that were making a difference. Within a few years I was
not fulfilled pushing papers, qualifying people for services, approving
referrals, and making the state so much money but seeing no systemic change. As
a result I returned to school and received my Masters with the hope of
transitioning from direct service/clinical work to one with more of an administrative
focus just to find out that because I was under 30 with a pipe dream no one
really took me serious.
Sitting in my office at the Good Samaritan Project two years
ago I was applying to be the Director of Case Management. I nailed the
interview with my ability to captivate the audience, share my vision, and
enlighten them on what they would gain. Aye, 4-H did that! My ability to stand
in a room of decision makers and state my case believing I had the right to be
there was cultivated in me when I was just a little girl. Sadly enough, (not
really but…) they chose another internal candidate who had served a longer term
as case manager than I had. During this process I was interviewing with the
United Way of Greater Kansas City as a Medical Social Worker for the Citizen
Assist Program. During these processes I reached way back and sought out
professional references from yesteryears and knew no one would be a better
candidate than that of Miss Neldra Flint of 4-H ASAP. In my youth she was our
Michelle Obama. Her commitment to our progress while exploring higher heights
for herself was incomparable. (Ok, put I book mark here, I shall return). So I
took that same vigor in with me and gave UW the best that I had and to my
surprise (not really but…) I was offered
the position making just as much as I would of as Director of Case Management
while working for the “Whos Who” among the nonprofit sector. During my final
interview with the CEO of United Way it was made mention that the
recommendation they received from Neldra Flint was the most moving they had
ever heard. My jaw dropped and my eyes watered as I sat at the table of an
organization that funded inner city efforts that I benefited from and now I was
invited to sit amongst them as colleagues and peers. This connection with my
youth experience and adult promise was heavy in my spirit as I had recently
(during my time at Good Samaritan Project) was asked to speak about 4-H for a
promotional video and had gave sentiments during the retirement celebration of
Leon Moon who was the youth development specialist for 4-H, which basically
boiled down to there wouldn’t be a 4-H without him.lol. That was for This.
Ok fast forward to today as I am soaring on my ride with
United Way meeting and greeting with the citys greatest leaders from Mayor Sly
James, to the CEO of UMB, to the Kansas City Chiefs and the list goes on. I was
invited and attended a ‘growtoCEO’ yesterday evening that consisted of anybody
who was anybody in the city. This initiative through GenKC is to cultivate young
professionals into future CEOs through
local entrepreneurship, local policy making, local arts initiatives, local non
profit movements and the like. MMM….does any of this sound familiar?! That was
for This. So during the reception as these people made out of money perused the
room, eating, drinking, and having small talk with us young professionals that
young girl from the 1200 block of Kansas City began to rise up declaring Im way
out of my league. The giggling, the gestures, the political jargon all made me
sick to my stomach as I declared I would never attend these after-hours
festivities cause I aint in it for the money. But there was an entrepreneur
spirit that rose up and said…baby this is necessary and you’ve got what it
takes. Within a few minutes of trying to shake Shanquinita Alize Ebony Jenkins
loose I did what I new best and made a lasting impression that will continue to
put me before great men. I am not even going to lie, as a social worker there
is a cultural struggle with being ‘corporate minded’. Working for measly pay,
and measly conditions becomes a badge of honor but yesterday I desired
something more. I was introduced to a new culture of the non profit sector that
I didn’t even know existed. This is where the change is made and the real money
is exchanged. Loose here you hoodlum I tell myself jokingly.lol. Ok now I want
you to go back to where we placed the book mark regarding Miss Neldra Flint,
OUR Michelle Obama. She was the face of 4-H. Not only did she grind in the
trenches I know now today she put on her corporate hat and made those
experiences possible. I couldn’t even tell you what her title was but looking
back today I would consider her an entrepreneur, personal consultant, program
developer…..Having her in my life planted a seed of greatness that I was not
able to comprehend until today. She would come on our side of town with her
nice car, nice clothes, proper language roll her sleeves up and get to work.
She was someone to be revered yet we had regular access to her. One day she would
be stern/mean/and adamant about what she expected and other days she was
nurturing and loving. I knew this was both business and personal for her. She
invited us to her home (which was immaculate) where we broke bread and laughed
about everything. We met her family and they embraced us as their own. She took
us to nice restaurants and taught us how to conduct ourselves with class. Stand
up straight, look them in the eyes, give them a firm shake, and state your
claim….I thank her for this lesson. With so many shameful experiences in my
youth I still knew that I was somebody -a gem awaiting her appraisal. As I
embrace myself as a public servant I understand from her example that I can too
do the work and be compensating for my trouble. There is so much bubbling on
the inside of me that I just cant tell it all. I am at a place of reflection
while realizing I am on the brink of something great…evenme, evenebony. My hope
is that I too can be someones ‘Michelle Obama’ J.
That was for This….
