The Power Of Tenacity in The Face of Adversity

Dr. Lakeya Cherry, DSW, MSSW, ACC, is partner at Evolution, a coaching, consulting and investment firm, and founder of the Changemakers of Color, a coaching mastermind group.

By Dr. Lakeya Cherry, DSW, MSSW, ACC

When I decided to obtain my Doctorate degree, I felt I was just checking a box. It was something I felt I had to do to earn respect and access more opportunities as a woman of color.

During my studies, DEI became my mission; I sought to tackle the racial leadership gap in the nonprofit sector. 

My first leadership role was isolating. As a nonprofit executive, I saw racial disparities and was unsure how to navigate them. Additionally, I didn't know many people in leadership roles who looked like me and who I could talk to or learn from.

This realization pushed me further into my work. I recognized that there were likely others who had similar experiences and needed support.

This work was no longer about me and my needs. It was about my family, colleagues of color, future leaders of color, and our world at large.

According to MIT Sloan Management, "As workplaces strive toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion, high-achieving employees who belong to a minority or marginalized group… are particularly at risk of suffering from imposter syndrome, which can impair well-being and inhibit performance.”

Being a "one and only” has repercussions for marginalized leaders in the workplace. This work isn’t easy. Disrupting the status quo isn’t easy.

Nonetheless, I persevere. I've dedicated my career to helping women and people of color reach their fullest potential through empowerment, coaching and creating brave spaces where they can be seen.

My work in this space continues to evolve. My hope? That I can help foster the creation of a brave space for leaders of color to be authentic, courageous and tenacious; for the workforce to be a space that offers psychological safety and inclusivity; and for leaders to lead with emotional intelligence and empathy.

““I’ve dedicated my career to helping women and people of color reach their fullest potential through empowerment, coaching and creating brave spaces where they can be seen.” — Dr. Lakeya Cherry @lakeya_cherry @evolutionSVC #PowerToChangeStories”
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