About Me

The Personal

Where I am from, the odds were never really in my favor, growing up with a socio-economic disadvantage we, didn't always have access to healthcare providers that would take the time needed to educate us on health issues.  When I was sixteen (16), I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and in all honesty my mother, as amazing as she was didn't really understand what that meant. After that appointment, my diagnosis was not discussed and went untreated. I was very shy and introverted which was the perfect way to mask low moments in my life. As I have gotten older, I understand that reading books became my coping mechanism as it allowed me to escape reality. 

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At the age of twenty-four (24), I began to take my mental health seriously. I was married with a toddler and newborn, and what should have been a happy time in my life was overshadowed with despair and sadness.  I sought help and found out that I was suffering from postpartum depression and a diagnosis of major depressive disorder.  Eight years later, I finally understood what my diagnosis meant and the hard work that would be required to manage it.

For many years I had done the hard work and live a healthy life with minimal flare-ups: however, that would all come crashing down. November 2010, I was devastation by the miscarrying of my only daughter late in my second trimester. Thirty days later on December 9, 2010,  mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and quickly lost her battle April 6, 2011. Within five months my world had come crashing down around me and I fell into the deepest depression I had ever experienced.  I remember going to see my therapist and she told me I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I was not okay. I had to do something different or I would die.  For several years it was an uphill battle trying to manage the grief and MDD, I fought daily to get back on track. I found solace in journaling which ultimately turned into my first book,  Seven: Purposeful Healing and New Beginning, it was healing and therapeutic and I knew then my purpose was clear. I promised myself that once I got back on track I would make it my life's mission to educate and help others understand the importance of managing their mental health, bringing awareness, and breaking the stigma that is attached. 

The Professional

As a college educated and seasoned professional with 30 years in Corporate America, I found myself grappling with the adverse effects of a lack of support surrounding mental wellness. Navigating the high-pressure demands of my role, and the complex nature of HR, the absence of a supportive workplace culture exacerbated life’s stressors and challenges. Imagine being on your job less than a year and miscarrying a child. Yes, the doctor wrote me out for recovery; however, there was leave policy for that, and the grief attached was devastating. Now, imaging being back to work less than 30 days  and your mom is diagnosed with one of the deadliest forms of cancer, only to lose her four months later. No paid time off and three to five days of bereavement. The mental anguish and toll it takes on a person is insurmountable.

Imagine having a medical diagnosis that carries a stigma while working in the corporate space in which there is a  culture of long working hours, and minimal regard for employee well-being. While a lot of  organizations provided limited resources (EAP) for mental health support, there was a pervasive stigma around acknowledging and addressing mental health issues.  In the absence of such necessary measures, talented professionals like myself may find themselves disheartened, affecting not only their personal well-being, but also overall productivity and success.

Over time, the cumulative stress, unrealistic expectations, and the absence of a supportive framework took a toll on my mental health. I faced challenges such as burnout, anxiety, and a sense of isolation, exacerbated by a workplace that didn't prioritize mental wellness. I hesitated to seek help due to the fear of judgment and potential professional repercussions. The lack of mental health resources and open dialogue further contributed to the  sense of disillusionment within the corporate culture. In my career, I have taken FMLA twice in efforts to manage my mental wellbeing, each time upon my return, my position was eliminated  accompanied by a severance package. That was not a coincidence; however, the burden of proof was my responsibility. Too mentally drained, I took the severance and moved on. 

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As a black woman in the corporate environment, I have experienced blatant and overt discrimination, for which I sued the company. I’ve experienced the “glass ceiling” which seemed more like indestructible concrete. I’ve experienced huge pay disparities compared to my less educated, white counterpart for whom I was also tasked to train.

My story, like so many others, highlights the need for organizations to implement supportive policies around mental well-being in efforts to reduce stigmas, provide resources that empower employees to manage their mental health effectively, while also implementing programs that prioritize leadership training across the organizations. My personal journey, academic insights, and professional expertise lead me to create a program that goes beyond conventional coaching.

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I decided to channel this  passion for mental well-being into the development of a comprehensive program designed to empower leadership in the corporate space to look deeper at the meaning of human resources and how to support their workforce.