Legacy is leaving every space better than you found it.
2019 I had a dream to create a space at USC Marshall School of Business that highlighted Black and Latino business leaders and changed the face of leadership. 2020 USC FORWARD Summit was born.
How it’s going…
5 Years later, 100s of emerging business leaders served, $55K scholarships provided, countless speakers from top companies, and the priceless feeling of being one of MANY Black and Latino bosses in the room.
So proud of what we’ve built and it’s just the beginning.
I was honored to return home to deliver the lunch keynote at the 5th Annual USC FORWARD Summit to talk about dreaming big, holding steadfast to your what, and forgetting the how because it ain't your business. WATCH THE FULL VIDEO BELOW.
Quick Highlights:
💎 The need feeds the dream
💎 The dream births the what
💎 When you meet your what without the how, you're big one is coming
💎 The how ain't your business--this is where divine purpose kicks in
💎 The biggest sign of your divine purpose is a flow of resources, support, and open pathways
💎 Business success is 1 part genius + 1 part action + 1 part crazy because you don't know what you're doing
Major 🔑 🔑 🔑 were dropped, but more than anything it felt like a family reunion. Everyone from emerging leaders to renowned business leaders shared that they'd never been in a business setting where they felt held, seen, and encouraged in the way they did at FORWARD Summit.
A time was had! The manifestation of USC FORWARD Summit far exceeded my dream thanks to USC Black Graduate Business Leaders and Latino Management Business Association continuing to hold the torch high. Forward ever, backward never.
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Hi how y'all doing? That we need a little more energy. How y'all doing? My name is Alexandra Pinckney. I am Class of 2020, and it is so beautiful to be here with y'all. And it means so much because five years ago this was an idea of mine. It was a vision. And four years ago I stood right here in the same spot, addressing the attendees of the inaugural Forward Summit in 2020. We're just meeting, so I want us to get acquainted while while y'all eat and I'll ask you to look around the room, turn your neck, say hello to somebody. As you're doing this. Love it. This is like Thanksgiving I want you all to think about. How it feels to be in this space and what it means to you and some, Several panelists have said already, I don't see this at my job, right? What does it mean to you to be here, sitting next to who you're sitting next to, rubbing shoulders with who you're rubbing shoulders with? And my ask of you is that you make it your business and every single space that you step into to make sure that it feels and it looks like this because you have that power. So we're gonna have a little chat. It'll be a little interactive about what it means to dream big, holding steadfast to your what and forgetting about your how. So the first point. I like to move and this mic's not moving with me. So the first point is, your need feeds your dream, right? We all came to Business School. Come to Business School with this desire to change our lives. Whether that means building a new product, making a career pivot, creating generational wealth for your family. This is why we're here. And the same was true for me when I came here in 2018, right? I was gonna change. Marshall was the how to my what? My what was. I was going to be a transformational leader, be a boss, take things over. And all of that was made possible by being here. But reality set in shortly after I got here. And I recognize that I was often in spaces where I did not feel seen or hurt and had remarkable professors, amazing guest speakers. But the fact of the matter was. There were too many times where I heard. A leader, an entrepreneur, tell me that they started their business because they raised $100,000 from family and friends. Now, Sir. And it was Sir, because they were mostly men. I could probably get $5000 from family and friends, but $100,000 was unrealistic. And it was the same for my peers. The peers who look like very many of you. So I couldn't find my place. That was the need. We needed a pathway to success, right? One that we could relate to as black and brown, future leaders of tomorrow. On 1st Gen. So that means I'm the first of my family to go to Business School. There was no one telling me how to maneuver in this space, so my access and my social capital does not look like that of my peers. I'm a black woman. Hi, in case you couldn't tell. So that corporate ascent is a lot harder. There, that created my dream. And my dream was to create a space where faces like you and me could be celebrated to celebrate the black and Latino leaders, not for being black and Latino before their inherent talent that they possess to illustrate tangible pathways and to change the face of business as we know it. And there was a data professor that came here earlier this morning and told us the numbers behind and the fact that that is true. That's not a feeling. It is a fact we need to change the face of business leadership. That dream birthed my What? I'm a firm believer that if you're going to identify a gap baby, you better come up with a solution because otherwise it's empty complaint. And we're business leaders, we're here to problem solve and we're here to innovate and bring. What's the theme? Breaking barriers and building futures. That is how you build break barriers and build futures. I wanted to make sure that we were woven into the fabric of leadership on this campus and beyond. That's what was placed on my heart. So for me at the time, that meant a conference, a place where we could look around just as I asked you and see people who looked like us, hear stories that were relevant to us and would show us how we too can use our inherent skills and gifts to take over the world and do what we do best. So point #3. When you meet your wife but you don't have your how Because we had no idea how this was gonna happen. Just know that your big one is coming. And it's coming because when you don't have the how, but you have the vision, that means that that is your divine purpose, you are uniquely made to bring this forth. Does anybody in here run marathons? Triathlons. Y'all look at ohh come on. That's right. So then you know what's your name. Chaz. Nice to meet you, Chaz. So Chaz knows that a marathon is 26.2 miles in a triathlon. Makes the marathon look easy because that's 26.2 miles running. You bike a distance, you swim out in open water and don't get me to lying about the distance. We won't do that. But it's long and when you start, you don't see your finish line. It's not even insight. You have a blind faith that you've been prepared to do the task set before you. A good friend of mine is a triathlete and I remembered when he started and I would say how do you even get yourself to the end? And he looked at me and he said. Listen, Slim, that's all he talks. We're. We're friends. We're all family here, right? He said. Listen, Slim. It's 1 foot in front of the other. The workout does itself. He did the what and forgot the how. Because when you think about the how, especially when it's something that you've never done before, your mind will psych you out and tell you that you can't do it. There's also help along the way. You've got cheerleaders on either side of your path. You've got hydration stations for when you're parched. And then you have your fellow athletes y'all in this room for when you're tired, when you get a muscle cramp, when you can't stand to push you and keep you going. So I will reiterate, I had no clue how I was gonna pull this off, but I could see the vision plane down to this room. We need community. A community, a group of people who can hold the vision with you, who can climb with you. And and me realizing that I tagged Rob Granados, who was president of Lambda at the time. I'm from Philly all day. Forever and ever. I'm not from LA, but I've seen enough movies, cult classics, things to know that if you're gonna talk about representation in the city of Los Angeles, you have to make sure that black and Latino people have seats at the table. So we combined our E boards, at the time, 21 people to take on this undertaking on paper was impossible. We had not a budget. We didn't have again the know how, we just had this vision. I mentioned earlier divine purpose, and I don't say that lightly. The symbol that you know when you're in your divine purpose is that things, there's a flow, the doors open. And that doesn't mean it's gonna be easy, because you have to have sweat equity, you have to work hard. But it's almost as if the resources that you need continue to fall into your lap. And that is why we were able to make Forward Summit a thing Doctor Sharoni Little, who was Vice Dean and senior EDI officer at the time, advocated for us. In shepherded us through this entire process and Seminyak advocated for our funding and branding resources here at the university. So all of these, this beautiful signage that you see, that was because Anne. Advocated in pitched for us to get that funding. The GSG supported our funding. MetLife out in New York gave us sponsor dollars because one of our E board members who was a hustler. Intern there so they threw money at us. USC hotel at the time. Discounted our services, quiet as it's kept. Don't get us in trouble. I don't know what they're doing today, but that's what they did in 20/20/2020. We kicked off the first successful Forward Summit in March of 2020. Our keynote speaker, Sandra Evers Manly, was so inspired by the energy in the room that people like you brought that at the end of her speech, she committed to $10, 000 to ensure that Forward Summit could continue in 2021. Doctor Sean Harper, a professor he could not attend because he had a schedule conflict, committed $10,000 to ensure that forward summit would continue in 2021. So when I tell you that the how. It's really not your business. It's really not your business, but at all. None of these things can be made-up. We had speakers from Vera Shop, Universal Music Group, Milani Cosmetics, Mayor Garcetti's office, swag bags from Fab Fit Fun. All in the first year because everybody that I mentioned saw us running our race, believed in our vision and wanted to push us forward. Today we are on the 5th Forward Summit. I'm just gonna pause there so y'all can clap it up. For the leadership team that has made today possible. There are 131 people or plus. That number may have grown who've registered to be here today. Since inception, $55, 000 in scholarships has been provided to current Marshall students, 18,000 of which will be given today and I. My leadership team and myself cannot take credit for that because that is something that there's a lady right there. Aria. Raise your hand. When she and her lamba. Cohort. She and the BBL and Lambo cohort were running this thing. They implemented scholarships. This is the divine plan that can't be crafted. This is why you don't need to worry about the how. So when you go out and you start your careers and you build your business and you want to change the world, dream big and allow your what to keep you going one foot in front of the other because the workout will do itself. Don't get stuck in the house because. Thank you. Let's do that again. Don't get stuck in the house because. It's not your business. You'll have help along the way to fill in because they will be so inspired and driven by your commitment and your passion that they will help you keep going even when you don't believe that you can. So with that, allow the magic to happen. They're not going to tell you in Business School, because there's no business foundational principle to hold this down. But business success is one part genius, one part action, and one part crazy. Because the truth is, you don't know what you're doing. The magic, I call it blessing however you want to identify with it, is the Sasson that sits on top to make it all come together and validates that crazy idea that you have. So y'all we did our big one. From 2020 to 2024, I want to say congratulations again to the B, GB, Lin, Lambda E boards in leadership and their respective communities in making today possible in the four years prior. Forward. Ever. Backward. Never. Please hold on to that. And the last thing I want to say that I heard today, a few panelists talked about maybe it was Aaron talked about being in spaces and being seen as aggressive and I want to encourage you to be aggressive. Be aggressive because everybody else gets to be. Be aggressive because the fact of the matter is, you're not being aggressive. You're standing on what you believe. And as we say today, you're standing on business because you deserve to be in the room. And if people think that, you're too aggressive. Then say thank you. This is not my space, because you're too big for them and they're too small for you. The last thing I will say to quote Joshua Pincay. Come on, sometimes you need to say I am he, him, she, her, they then King, Queen and let people know what it is. So with that fight on and thank you so much.
Leading teams in Business Development, Sales, GTM Strategy, Marketing & Alliances in the Media & Telecom Sector with Oracle. Disney, IBM & Conde Nast alum. #DigitalTransformation
“I coach individuals and teams through leadership transitions, fostering understanding and cultivating a culture of trust.” | Neuroexecutive Coach | Published Author | Organizational Neuroscience Researcher Cconsultant
🌟 Discover the Inspiring Journey of Latino Leaders 🌟
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"Success is not a solo act. It's about lifting others as you rise." This quote by Robert Ingersoll resonates with me today as I celebrate a great friend and fellow Junto AZ partner, Ed Drummond. Ed was recently honored with a special Congressional Recognition by Congresswoman Debbie Lesko for his exceptional leadership in the Phoenix Community.
Ed is a shining example of the power of service. His #CapstoneContributes event is a testament to his commitment to making a difference. It's not just about the work he does, but the heart he puts into it. His dedication is a constant inspiration to me and many others.
In the fast-growing world of business in the information age it's easy to get caught up in the race. But Ed reminds us that true leadership is about more than just business success. It's about being bold enough to use your platform to uplift others.
Ed, your recognition is well-deserved, and I couldn't be prouder to call you a friend and fellow Junto AZ Partner.
I encourage all of you to take a moment to celebrate the leaders in your network who inspire you. Who are they, and how have they made a difference in your life or community? Share your stories in the comments. Let's shine a light on the people who make our world a better place.
If you found this post insightful, feel free to share it with your network. Let's spread the word about the power of service and leadership.
#celebrateothers#juntoaz#Leadership#Service#Recognition
Have you registered for Exponential Orlando 2024 - March 4-7? https://lnkd.in/gJYf62a6
Olivet Nazarene University’s Graduate Programs will be a sponsor of this year’s event. As part of that sponsorship, we will be hosting a network luncheon to explore an important topic:
Second Chapter Leadership.
There are few organizational issues more dangerous than a 55-year-old living out First Chapter Pursuits. Much damage happens when older leaders are still attempting to "make their mark, build their kingdom, or leave their legacy." First Chapter Leadership is often (though not necessarily) marked by ambition, accomplishment, accolades, and acquisition. Discipleship and maturity demand a shift from making deposits in one's own leadership resume to making investments in the lives of others. Second Chapter Leadership is marked by influence, impact, and investment. Throughout this panel discussion we will explore the necessary shifts for ministry leaders over 40 years old to leverage wisdom gleaned and experience accumulated for the sake of developing a leadership culture of persistent growth.
I couldn’t be more excited to work alongside Selena Freeman, Dale Schaeffer, and Andy Monin, who have embodied this commitment in their leadership.
Sign up today for the conference!
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Executive Leadership Coach | Women's Leadership Development Specialist | Marketing and Sales Leader | Chief of Staff } Global Partners and Alliances | Former Senior Leader at VMware and Dell Technologies
My oldest son Gunnar Stonecipher arrived home yesterday after his first year as a business student at University of Arkansas - Sam M. Walton College of Business. We had a great conversation at dinner last night - a conversation that gives me hope for future generations of business leaders. Here are some highlight of what he learned:
1. Avoid groupthink. Challenge ideas, find new ways to innovate, and question the status quo. There may be a better way forward - but groupthink will never get you there.
2. Diversity of thinking has a real impact. We all bring different experiences and ideas and the best outcomes happen when we bring those diverse perspectives into decision making. And - bonus - ensuring that all voices are heard and value enables leaders to optimize the performance of their people.
3. Learning and experiences transform us all. The more we learn, share ideas, cultivate new experiences, built new relationships - the more effective we can be as business leaders as knowledge and experience and human connections shape our thinking.
I'm so proud of this kid, who is clearly a future business leader. And so impressed that he's learning these powerful lessons at such a young age!
What were the lessons you learned in college that you've taken forward to your career?
#futuretalent#ispirationalleadership#education#universityofarkansas#diversethinking#womeninleadership#proud#alwayslearning#godukes
I enjoy the opportunity to stand among leaders of the B.E.S.T. Leadership Program, a mission fueled by the dynamic partnership between the Chambers of Commerce and leaders in my county.
Our monthly gatherings are more than just moments in time; they're stepping stones towards continued cultivation of growth while empowering community and business leaders.
As Henry Ford profoundly stated, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young."
Each interaction, each shared insight, and each story is a testament to the commitment to lifelong learning.
John F. Kennedy's words echo the essence and action of our program and business leaders: "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."
In embracing this truth, we recognize that leadership flourishes where learning never ceases—learning is a timeless virtue that spans business and government.
The Chamber of Commerce's dedication to economic development and civic engagement provides a fertile ground for business and community leaders to grow together.
Here's to a journey of continuous learning, ageless leadership, and the remarkable impact of a community united in business, government, advocacy, and leadership excellence.
Are you a part of your local Chamber? While forging connections virtually lends itself to increased exposure to diverse thought and insightful global awareness, take advantage of the opportunity to understand your community's unique culture better.
We can forge valuable connections virtually, contribute to economic growth, and be vital to our community's success at home.
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What Are The Top 5 Behaviours Next-Generation Leaders Need to Adopt for Success?
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Do you doubt your abilities to lead at a higher level?
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"In my culture, you don't self promote. I wasn't raised that way, it wasn't part of my family values but you have to in some cases self-promote, and know yourself well enough around what your strength are and how to do it and what value you bring. Because not everybody is willing to point that out for you and do what my mentor did, which was show me that I had something to offer. I have to say that hardwork will take you here, a network, a mentorship will get you to that next level. "- Serena Nguyen, Innovation Services Lead of MaRS, pre CILAR Executive Director
Accelerate the leadership journeys of aspiring Black and Indigenous senior leaders, through networking and five reciprocal executive coaching sessions.
This is an opportunity for existing executives & advancing leaders to learn from the experiences of aspiring leaders.
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Creator/Author The Cope Life Reflection Guided practice
A series of five steps created to practice grounding, presence, awareness, and better self-regulation. Support with Life and Stress management.
In doing my research and outreach for the day, I have found this amazing study on Transformative Leadership. I am grateful to have found this through Candid Newsletter. "A report commissioned by the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation highlights insights from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people color) leaders navigating positions of power in social change organizations as they succeed white predecessors. Through a partnership between Leadership Learning Community, ProInspire, and BIPOC Leaders Network, the study, Brilliant Transformation: Toward Full Flourishing in BIPOC Leadership Transitions (22 pages, PDF), found that their experiences are multifaceted and complex, as are the organizational dynamics, and racism shows up in many different ways. BIPOC leaders call for intentionality and transparency. The report’s authors recommend that funders fully acknowledge their outsized power and operationalize it, trust organizations to know what they need, fund like they want BIPOC leaders and their organizations to flourish, and remember that getting it wrong compromises grantees’ work and communities. Recommendations for organizations in transition include clarifying why it is seeking a BIPOC leader and create, share, and follow a clear transition plan, while those for boards include executing a documented, intentional search process that includes individualized outreach to BIPOC leaders already connected to the organization."
I'm preparing for a keynote next week at a Women In Business Leadership conference that I've named "The Courage Formula".
The theme that continues to show up in my life, my clients lives, and the people I'm meeting who live lives people day dream about is this:
They are courageous. They don't wait until they feel ready or not scared. They are some of the most scared people I know - AND they know how to support their brains, their nervous systems, their mental health, and don't let the fear hold them back.
When I get up on stages, or host workshops, or apply for big opportunities - I'm not fearless. I don't believe in fearlessness. I believe in the power of growing our courage muscle, being scared, and doing it anyway.
How we approach leadership is changing (and thank god). It's not about pedestals or gurus or never being wrong. When we teach people to embrace their humanness, to make room for fear and failure, the whole organization, team, and person who is leading THRIVES.
As I prep to speak to these leaders, my message is not about perfectionism or fearlessness....very much the opposite.
Expect to be afraid. Expect to doubt yourself. Over time, continue to strengthen your courage muscle. Say yes before you feel ready. Self-select into rooms and put people in your life who validate your fear, breathe life into your belief, and reflect your power.
Keep going.
Executive in Entertainment and Culture Marketing @ United Talent Agency | Brand Building
4moYou're amazing! It was an honor to bring you back.