My Vision for Tomorrow + How I'm Making It a Reality

Last night, the Centre for Social Innovation hosted its annual fundraiser. The theme was Make Tomorrow | Create a Better World.The CSI community consists of over 250 social entrepreneurs working to make our dreams of a better world come to life.

Here is a photo of me with our Agents of Change cohort at the fundraiser.

The public lobby of the IAC Building has two tiled video walls that provide an interactive experience of imagery display. Capitalizing on this innovative feature, CSI asked all of its members to describe our vision for tomorrow and how our social innovation is making that vision a reality. Our impact number (some metric or outcome measure of our work) along with a headshot and collage of pictures were displayed on the video wall during the event.

This is a phone capture of my headshot on the video wall.

I thought you might like to read my responses to the questions for my Social Impact Innovator Profile. I answered from the perspective of Start Within Coaching, the new brand umbrella that encompasses my coaching, EFT work, and public events/workshops for women.

My Organization Mission:

Start Within Coaching seeks to disrupt the conversation around self-worth and self-esteem for women of color. Motivated by Sustainable Development Goal # 3.4, we promote women's mental health and wellbeing via live and virtual workshops, events, and coaching programs. 

My Vision of Tomorrow:

To reduce the percentage of black women who live with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, and/or that everything is an effort all of the time. For the last point, nearly twice as many non-Hispanic Black women felt this way in 2014, compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts (9.9% vs. 5.8%). More than just the absence of a disorder, true mental health is a state of wellbeing in which a woman can realize her own potential, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and make a contribution to the community. "Tomorrow," women of color will feel a sense of worthiness; they will know that their dreams, their health, and their overall lives matter. Start Within to Finish Strong!

My Social Impact:

In 2017, we hosted 10 New Moon Circles at CSI designed for women to create supportive relationships with other women, and to receive rejuvenation and support (via Guided Heart Meditations, Intention-Setting Rituals, and other wellness activities). Other public workshops and events focus on topics including Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT-Tapping), Self-Care Strategies, and Stress Management. Through private coaching, we map out personalized strategies for women to enhance their interpersonal communication, leadership style, and personal wellbeing.

When I Joined CSI:

October, 2016

Impact of CSI on Me / My Organization:

Since joining, I've become an Agents of Change Fellow, which has connected with more female founders who are committed to improving the status of women and girls globally. I've also been a founding member of the Women's Lab at CSI, an experiment in creating a safe haven space for female founders and their mission-driven organizations. I have hosted my New Moon Circles at CSI.

What is YOUR Vision for Tomorrow?
How are YOU Making it a Reality?

Being Mindful Amid the Chaos

For most of us, these are challenging times. Period. We're being asked to dig deep and really consider what's important, where we stand on many local, national and global issues.

It feels like a whirlwind! I haven't been fully present until now to begin sharing my thoughts.

For me, recent events have deepened my understanding of my calling. I am called to be of service. I am called to work with heart-centered purposeful founders and leaders who want to create change and have a tangible impact both with their work and with their lives.

If you feel inspired to take action, make change -- it's going to be critical that you explore all of the ways to nourish your whole self: body, mind, and spirit. That you seek out activities and communities in which you can experience the freedom that comes from mindfulness and reconnecting with your core mission.

I'll be sharing tips, ideas and resources to address the stress, anxiety and overwhelm that many of us are feeling. I'll also be facilitating discussions and Sister Circles with that distinct purpose. For today, you can listen to my interview on the My Seven Chakras show to learn more about my personal journey to mindfulness.

Let's get prepared to take conscious action, rooted in shared priorities, so we can feel more grounded and achieve enduring results.

InStep Consulting is a Best for NYC Finalist

The best businesses don’t just make a profit — they improve the quality of life in the communities in which they operate.

That’s what I believe and why I'm proud to be a 2015 Best for NYC Finalist.

How is InStep Consulting Best for NYC? 

I completed the B Impact Assessment, a comprehensive assessment that measures a company’s impact on workers, the community and the environment. And I've made a commitment to improve our resutls. That means I'm measuring our success by our ability to create stronger communities, high quality jobs, and a healthier city. Read more about the Best for NYC campaign HERE.

As a Finalist in this first-ever municipally-led impact campaign, InStep is part of a larger, global movement to redefine success in business so that, one day, all companies strive to be not only the best IN their cities, but the best FOR their cities. InStep is among over 1,200 NYC companies that have committed to measuring their impact and making improvements — check out all the Best for NYC campaign participants HERE!

I am passionate about building a better business so that InStep can continue to uplift our community and invest in our team. I couldn’t do that without the support of people like you who believe in our mission — people who prove that doing good is good for business. Thank you for helping me to succeed where it truly matters.

I am proud to be Best FOR NYC!

Manage Your Stress for Greater Impact: Learn How May 23

You're invited to Slow Down to Start UP! a Be Social Change Class for Purpose-Driven Leaders

Join me on Monday, May 23 from 7 PM to 9:00 PM to learn how self-monitoring can help you better manage your stress and improve your overall well-being.

Each of us has the opportunity to create solutions that address key issues facing our world, but when you're on the front lines, how do you give yourself “permission” for self-care?

In this interactive session, you will learn proven, mindful stress reduction techniques so you can achieve greater social impact while improving your own well-being. You will recognize the link between wellness and sustainability, and receive guidance to help ditch your anxiety for lasting results.

This Class is Designed For ...

• Social impact entrepreneurs, business owners, and nonprofit leaders looking to reduce stress, increase motivation, and experience less burnout in your quest to drive change
• Purpose-driven professionals looking to experience greater intention and fulfillment in your work and life

Manage Your Stress to Achieve Greater Impact

By attending, you will become aware of the signals that can indicate your stress is becoming unhealthy. Also, you'll learn how to choose effective coping strategies to reduce (or even eliminate) your stress triggers.

Register NOW to Join Me: May 23, 2016, 7:00 PM at Centre for Social Innovation -- a home for nonprofits and social entrepreneurs in New York City.

How to Build Partnerships That Last

If your nonprofit or social impact organization is considering working with potential partners, keep in mind that partnership opportunities can range from cooperation or collaboration through full integration or merger. It’s important that you and your Board first clarify your rationale for seeking out partnering organizations. By doing so, you will help to ensure greater strategic alignment with any organization you choose to approach.

Once you’ve determined your reasoning to establish a partnership with another organization, it’s important to fully engage your partner – create explicit opportunities for both organizations to contribute to development of ideas and solutions, and participate in decision-making processes. Moreover, realize that building partnerships can take time. It would not be unusual for you to call and exchange information for months before a new partnership yields tangible results, such as funding for a joint project.

The most successful and long-term partnerships are the ones that involve a real relationship between the partnering organizations. Passion for the mission and commitment to mutual benefit are key factors. From our consulting work with nonprofit and social impact organizations, we have identified Top 3 Partnership Success Factors:

• Executive involvement (senior leadership and/or executive “champions”)
• Strong working relationships
• Strong board involvement

These factors often lead to the preservation of relevant services or programs, improved image or reputation, and greater long-term financial stability. Furthermore, if mutual gains are identified at the onset of the partnership, this can result in better organizational and program alignment.

To learn more about how to assess new partnership opportunities for your organization or strengthen your existing partner relationships, contact me HERE. This article is a summary of my recent workshop at The Foundation Center in conjunction with Nonprofit Specialists on the same subject.