5 Steps I Took to Break Barriers & Become a Leader

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We’ve all heard the famous quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” It’s something I’ve chosen as my life’s mantra and what’s allowed me, like Dr. King, to spend my life leading and serving others. While I may not be a world-renowned leader like Dr. King was, I’m proud to be a leader in my community. From 2004-2006, I served as head of community commitment at Commercial Capital Bank. I joined Kinecta Federal Credit Union in 2007, where I currently work as the community engagement officer overseeing numerous volunteer programs, and more than 180 annual community events and partnerships with hundreds of non-profits. Under my guidance, these initiatives have raised millions of dollars for charitable organizations and programs such as Kinecta’s Annual Food Drive, which provides holiday meals to nearly 1,000 Angelenos.

Recently, after serving four years on the board of the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, I had the honor of being elected the first woman of color to chair the board. What does that mean exactly? It means other African Americans and people of color can see that they can be leaders, too. It means I can bring a different perspective and new ideas to the table. It means being a voice for the marginalized communities I serve. It means breaking stereotypes that can often limit the potential for greatness.