Interview with my friend Stephanie, African American Woman Leader

Last year, I had the chance to interview my amazing friend Stephanie Campbell as one of our "One Woman. Of Style" features.  Like me, she is a diverse leader in our community.  Given the current issues and circumstances, I wanted to reach out to her and get her input on her path to success as an African American woman leader. 

Have you ever felt like you couldn't achieve something in your career or personal life because of who you are, an African American woman leader? 

 I'm pretty confident and persistent so you must know people seldom like that.   As a Black woman, I tell myself “What are you going to do with what you have?   I can remember, I was told by my teacher in 12th grade that I was not smart enough to finish high school, I should just drop out, get a job in a restaurant, and take care of my two boys.   I did not see out of that lens.    I have always had dreams…….  I dreamed of being an airline stewardess but I was told I was too tall.   Dreams without goals, are just dreams.   I realized that I could do anything I set my mind to.  I dreamed of going to college when I did not have my degrees, but I did not know how to get started. I asked for help and I received guidance, love, direction, free tuition, free travel to make my dreams come to life.  There were many doors closed for reasons that were out of my reach, but I kept knocking on the next door, because I was not going to allow anything or anyone to stop me from getting my education.  I knew that this was what I wanted and I was going to be successful in obtaining that goal.    I share with people that you must be disciplined and consistent.   You can’t confuse movement with progress.  Nothing in life is worthwhile, unless you take a risk.   I have been taken risks all my life.    I write down my goals and principles of success.  Then I ask God for it.    

Who are some go to community leaders that you reach out to, when you run into walls, to find guidance and clarity?

 I have a small circle of girlfriends, my “check-ins”, are the people who I usually reach out to, if I happen to stumble upon an obstacle and need a little clarity or a different point of view from their lens.  I never thought I would know the life and freedom I wake up to every morning now. I’ve only just begun.  It is like I was holding my breath for years and didn’t know it. When I turned 40, I began to blossom. Hello, World.   I will always leave it different from how I found it.   

 One of my favorite quotes is:

 “Imagination is everything, It’s the preview to Life’s Coming Attraction.”

 Albert Einstein