Blog
Leading with Purpose
Leadership is more than a title; it’s a calling. Over the years, I’ve come to understand that true leadership is deeply rooted in service, personal growth, and faith. It’s not about wielding authority or power, but about inspiring others, elevating communities, and making a lasting difference. Whether I’m mentoring young minds, guiding teams, or engaging in community initiatives, I believe the best leaders lead with a heart of service.
Service is at the core of everything I do. It’s a principle that I hold dearly because leadership without service lacks impact. When we serve others—whether through mentorship, outreach, or simply lending a helping hand—we build bridges of trust, foster collaboration, and empower those around us. Leadership is about lifting others up and creating opportunities for them to succeed. I’ve found that the most rewarding part of my journey has been seeing others grow and thrive through the work I’ve been blessed to lead.
Faith has also been an anchor in my leadership journey. It has guided me through challenges, strengthened me in moments of doubt, and reminded me that my purpose is greater than my own ambitions. Faith fuels resilience and allows us to see possibilities where others might see obstacles. I’ve been able to approach leadership with compassion, grace, and an unwavering commitment to creating meaningful change.
Personal growth, I believe, is a continuous process that shapes us as leaders. To lead others effectively, we must first lead ourselves. This means constantly evaluating our strengths, acknowledging our weaknesses, and being open to learning from every experience—whether success or failure. The best leaders are those who never stop growing, who are willing to adapt, and who embrace change as a means to evolve. As I continue my journey in community development, I’m reminded that each challenge is an opportunity to refine my leadership and deepen my impact.
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned in community development is the power of relationships. Real change doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s born from strong, trusting partnerships with people who share a vision for a better future. It’s about listening to the needs of the community, understanding their challenges, and working together to find sustainable solutions. Leadership in community development is about walking alongside people, empowering them to take charge of their own progress while providing the support they need to get there.
In the end, leadership is not about the leader—it’s about the lives you impact along the way. As I reflect on my experiences, I remain deeply committed to serving with integrity, leading with purpose, and growing through every stage of my journey. Whether through my faith, my work in community development, or my personal growth, I aim to continue inspiring others to lead with heart, serve with passion, and embrace the full potential of their purpose.
Do unto others
It is a great time to be alive! The possibilities are endless! So many opportunities abound! Popular media and culture carve out a route and chart the course for the average life. I realize that there is just an extreme focus on the notion of “every man for himself. This “protect me and mine” culture will never create the change we all want to see in the world.
Lately, I have been thinking about stories that shared with me when I was a little girl, such as the one of both the Good Samaritan. I remember the first time that I listened to that story, and I also remember the first time I read it with myself. There were so many questions that popped into my mind! Questions such as why the Good Samaritan would choose to help but not just that, why would he have chosen to help a stranger.I imagined a situation like that in 2021; what if you came upon someone who was hurt? What if you passed an accident? What if you stumbled upon a crash victim? Someone who was injured, robbed, and beaten, what would you do? Images in the news and on social media tell me that the first point of action is to point click and shoot.
The average human being decides to record the incident, and my heart breaks every time I see that the first reaction is to capture rather than help. My mom always said that life is a cycle and what goes around comes around. What that has done is that it has helped me to respond in situations the way that I would want someone else to react ina similar situation if it were me. The Good Samaritan could have run ahead to call crowd to share of what he had. He DECIDED to help with the healing of a stranger. I believe he made that decision because he knew that the story would have been told anyways whether it was at that moment or after healing had taken place.
If tomorrow you are on your way and you find yourself in a situation where someone is in trouble, in need of your help, or hurting. I charge you to respond the way you would want someone to respond to you. The story does not need to be captured right away the story will be told if you show others that you care. A different version of the story would probably be shared if you give assistance. Being a Good Samaritan is a more remarkable story line than being the one who caught an attack or a tragedy on video. The scripture tells us ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”