Growing up, I attended an all-Black elementary, middle, and high school. Early on, I knew that I needed to expand my horizons and attend a university that offered diversity in its population. Although it caused multiple arguments during my college planning conversations with the guidance counselors, I knew that I needed to challenge the stereotypes around me and show others that someone in my situation could apply anywhere to further his/her education. The immediate assumption was that I would “take my talents” to an historically-black college or university; however, I had to embrace my ambition and remind myself that I could do bigger things in a diverse space versus showing up in a space where everyone looked like me.
After graduating as valedictorian of my senior class and obtaining a full academic scholarship to Clemson University, I was beyond excited to start my engineering education! As the only Black female in some of my Electrical Engineering courses, I realized that I needed to speak up in order to be seen and/or recognized. I channeled that same approach when I began working at General Electric upon graduation. It was obvious that stereotypes were going to be prevalent in various aspects of my life; therefore, I decided to embrace them and use them to my advantage whenever possible. I always reminded women that we were in the spaces where we were because we deserved to be, and we did not need to serve as wallflowers; rather, we needed to ensure that our voices and thoughts were heard so they were included in all discussions and decision-making processes.
Fast-forward, I now have an unwavering passion for empowering women to be strong, self-reliant, and successful in all of their endeavors. From a professional standpoint, I recently launched Evans Efficiency Experts, where I focus on helping people, primarily women, convert chaos to calm before they burn out. I provide a methodology that walks clients through pinpointing their current issues, calculating the cost associated with their lack of efficiency, implementing solutions that address the issues, and sustaining their new processes to ensure they maintain new levels of productivity. As a volunteer, I spend any free time I have serving in a leadership capacity in non-profit organizations that all focus on women empowerment; I host talks, workshops, and seminars that provide women with the tools they need to get out of their own way to be their most effective selves.
I also spend time ensuring that all people around me think past stereotypes; by definition, a stereotype is an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic. Having been stereotyped in multiple ways throughout my life, I personally take offense to anyone who exhibits that behavior towards anyone and I enjoy correcting them in those moments. Whether regarding Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging or Working Women without Children, I happily serve as the voice of all people who believe they do not have a voice!
Do you find comprehending these concepts challenging? If so, please complete this New Client Questionnaire and schedule time with Evans Efficiency Experts so we can get to know each other AND determine how we can best work together as soon as possible! If you do not personally or professionally need our services, please forward this message to someone – an entrepreneur, a non-profit organization trailblazer, or a for-profit corporation leader – in your network who you think will benefit from an introduction.